Brazil's Civil Aviation Authority Bids "Boas-vindas" (Welcome) to Blackhawk's 208A Caravan XP42A Upgrade

WACO, Texas, November 24, 2013 – Blackhawk, the industry leader in turboprop aircraft performance upgrades, today announced that Brazil’s civil aviation safety authority, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), has granted approval for Blackhawk’s performance upgrade for the Cessna 208A Caravan. The approval clears the way for Brazilian Caravan operators to improve aircraft performance with reduced operating costs and higher safety margins. The ANAC certification enables Blackhawk to market, install and support the XP42A program for Cessna 208A Caravans licensed to operate in Brazil.

ANAC approved the certification for the XP42A for the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in October 2011. ANAC’s certification follows similar approval from the FAA in June 2013 that permits XP42A utilization on the Cessna 208A Caravan in the United States.

“We are passionate about helping operators improve the performance of their aircraft. That’s why we are thrilled to expand into Brazil’s growing general aviation industry,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk president and CEO. “With ANAC’s approval, operators of the 208A Caravan now have the opportunity to increase their revenue potential and out-fly, out-climb and out-perform their competition.”

The XP42A system includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 shaft horsepower continuous, exchanged for the 208A Caravan’s existing engine, with a 1,000-hour, no-calendar-limit Pratt & Whitney engine warranty. The package also features a factory-new, wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller, a new carbon-fiber composite cowling and high efficiency inlet duct, produced by Blackhawk Composites, a new 40 percent larger oil cooler, a four-point engine mount ring assembly and all new engine mount isolators, a new engine hose kit, and two new exhaust stacks.

The system offers a 24 percent increase in climb rate, a four percent increase in take-off weight, better take-off performance and safety margins and a 9 percent increase in cruise speed. It also reduces operating costs and increases revenue potential. In addition, the package provides a 3,600-hour TBO or 5,000-hour TBO (for qualified operators) with a approved trend monitoring program. Documentation includes a flight manual supplement with full flight test-certified performance and maintenance and repair manuals. Blackhawk offers full technical support for life of the airplane.

Brazil’s civil aviation fleet, one of the world’s largest, exceeds 10,000 aircraft of all types, and the nation is one of the largest users of Caravans in commercial, civil, military and law enforcement roles. South America represents the second largest Caravan market worldwide, with about 300 aircraft, 14 percent of the global Caravan fleet.

Blackhawk, founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas, is a recognized aviation leader in providing engine performance solutions to the turboprop fleet. The company has the largest installed fleet of STC twin-engine turboprop engine upgrades, making Blackhawk the largest non-OEM buyer of new Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines in the world. A worldwide network of approved dealers and service support centers complements Blackhawk’s U.S. facilities. For more information, please visit http://www.blackhawk.aero.