Blackhawk Expands EASA Approval for XP140 Engine+ Upgrade to Include MT 5-Blade Propeller and Aero Acoustics Kit Pairing
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GERMANY – April 18, 2018 – Blackhawk Modifications, Inc. is pleased to announce the Company has expanded the EASA Approval of the Cessna Caravan XP140 Engine+ Upgrade to include the MT 5-Blade composite propeller and the Aero Acoustics Kit. The approval of this pairing allows European Caravan operators to take advantage of the tremendous performance enhancements offered by these three packages, all while meeting the European noise requirements.
The Blackhawk XP140 Engine+ Upgrade provides a 37% increase in climb rate, a 22% decrease in take-off distance, and decreased starting temperatures by 100°C. The XP140 was also recently granted a Time Between Overhaul (TBO) extension of 400 hours, bringing the base TBO to 4000 hours, which reduces operating and maintenance costs for owners.
The MT 5-blade composite propeller and Aero Acoustics Kit further enhance utility by reducing noise, Foreign Object Damage (FOD), and increasing gross weight capabilities. Paired with the factory-new XP140, the combined results of this package elevate the Cessna Caravan to better-than-new standards.
The first Caravan upgraded with this performance package belongs to Skydive ENPC, the first parachutist club in The Netherlands. The installation, performed by Mastenbroek Aeroskill, took only 10 days with the assistance of Don Moore from Blackhawk.
“The PT6A-114A was nearing its extended overhaul limit including a large amount of component replacements,” said Frank van Ierssel, Skydive ENPC’s Chief Pilot. “Together with Mastenbroek Aeroskill, we found that the Blackhawk XP140 upgrade kit was a very suitable replacement that would allow us to get our skydivers to the needed altitude even faster. Mastenbroek Aeroskill really did an excellent job, and the whole conversion was completed in only 10 days, superb!”
“We are pleased to offer this performance enhancement package to the European Caravan market,” said Jim Allmon, President & CEO at Blackhawk. “These upgrades greatly enhance the utility of these hard-working aircraft and transform them into true power players. Our mission is to elevate your mission, and we believe the XP140, MT 5-blade propeller, and Aero Acoustics Kit combination delivers unrivaled performance.”
For more information on the XP140 Engine+ Upgrade or to secure your delivery position, stop by the Blackhawk booth #A3-407 at AERO Friedrichshafen or contact your Blackhawk Representative today at +1 (254) 755 6711.
About Blackhawk Modifications
Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., 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 and single-engine turboprop 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, visit www.blackhawk.aero.
About Mastenbroek Aeroskill
Mastenbroek Aeroskill, founded in 1969, is a General Aviation Maintenance Organization located at Breda International Airport, in The Netherlands which maintains a wide range of single-engine and multi-engine aircraft. They are known for their expertise in aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney PT6 engines like the Cessna Caravan and Beechcraft King Air Series, Cessna 206’s equipped with the Soloy Turbine conversion and Cessna 182's equipped with SMA diesel engines.
Besides regular maintenance they have a wide range of specialties for which they are known throughout Europe with customers coming to them from countries like the UK, Greece, Switzerland, Hungary and more. One of these specialties is what brings them to the engine conversion they recently performed for Skydive ENPC. For more information, visit www.aeroskill.nl.
About Skydive ENPC
Skydive ENPC was established in 1948 and was the first parachutist club in The Netherlands and one of the first in Europe. Before the C208B, which they purchased in 2016, they operated a Cessna 206 equipped with a Soloy Turbo Prop conversion. The Cessna 208 was a fantastic replacement for the 206, since it meant more skydivers with less flight time.
