EASA has approved the STC pairing the Hartzell five-blade carbon fibre composite propeller with Blackhawk’s XP67A Engine+ upgrade on the King Air 350/360, expanding the certified propeller option to operators across Europe. This follows FAA approval in January 2026.

“This EASA approval gives King Air 350/360 operators across Europe access to one of the most capable and popular performance packages we have ever developed,” says Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk Proprietary Upgrades for The Blackhawk Group. “The combination of the XP67A and Hartzell five-blade composite propeller delivers a significant improvement in aircraft performance while allowing operators to continue flying an airframe they already know and trust.”

The XP67A Engine+ upgrade replaces the King Air 350/360’s stock PT6A-60A engines with 1,200shp PT6A-67A powerplants, providing a 24 per cent increase in available horsepower. Paired with Hartzell’s five-blade composite propellers, operators can expect cruise speeds above 337ktas (5ktas faster than Blackhawk’s original certification) and climb to FL350 in under 18 minutes.

Hartzell’s carbon fibre composite propeller replaces the standard four-blade aluminium propeller and reduces weight by approximately 10 pounds per side. Its smaller diameter also helps reduce cabin and exterior noise while improving overall comfort and efficiency.

The unlimited blade life and reduced maintenance requirements of composite propeller technology further complement the performance and operating benefits of the XP67A Engine+ upgrade.