European King Air owners are installing more powerful engines from the United States to give them faster performance and the capacity to take off from short runways.

Hans Bruning, from Wiesbaden in Germany, took delivery of the first Blackhawk C90BXP. He bought new PT6A-135A engines through the Geneva-based distributor TSA Transairco. The engines were installed in a King Air C90B to give Bruning an improved, faster turboprop.

Donnie Holder, director of marketing, Blackhawk Modifications, said: "This was the first Blackhawk C90B XP in use in Europe. There are three more orders in the pipeline for customers in continental Europe."

TSA installed the new engines as well as Raisbeck wing lockers designed to increase storage options and free up more space for passengers.

Jim Allmon, ceo of Blackhawk, said: "After flying the aircraft on several trips, Mr Bruning reported that he had clocked true airspeeds at over 274 knots with one groundspeed showing well in excess of 340 knots with strong tail winds. Mr Bruning proudly claims that he currently owns the fastest C90B in Europe."

Holder said that the Blackhawk C90B XP could be delivered within a month of order. "We order our engines a year in advance so we know we will have them available and the aircraft go into our modification facility for about three weeks," he said.

Total sales of the King Air conversion in the US were over 50.

Holder told EBAN: "The King Air is a poular aircraft but a typical comment is that it is not fast enough."

The more powerful engines shorten the take off run. One client in New York regularly uses a 1,200ft runway, Holder said.

European clients who want to use short runways in mountains are among those who have expressed interest.

The Blackhawk XP engine upgrade includes factory-new PT6A engines and is EASA-approved on all C90 and E90 series aircraft with all prop configurations.