Mon, Jul 18, 2011
Company Calls The Modifications 'Game Changing'
The FAA issued an STC on June 24, 2011, authorizing Blackhawk
Modifications to offer the XP42A upgrade for the Cessna
Caravan 208B. Jim Allmon, President and CEO, says the company will
celebrate the certification at AirVenture.
“This is the ultimate win-win opportunity,” said
Allmon. “This upgrade can pay for itself through increased
revenue generation and reduced operating costs. Caravan
operators will now have the power they need to take off from the
most remote corners of the world, or even their local airports,
with greater overall safety margins.”
The new program exchanges the Caravan’s standard Pratt
& Whitney Canada (PW&C) 675 SHP PT6A-114A engine for a more
powerful 850 SHP PT6A-42A factory-new PW&C power plant. The
XP42A program aerodynamically alters the Caravan’s cowling
and replaces the aircraft’s original nose with a streamlined
carbon composite cowling that accommodates the larger engine. Other
enhancements include two new Frakes exhaust stacks, a Hartzell
four-blade propeller and a lifetime customer support guarantee. The
all-new carbon composite cowling was produced by Blackhawk
Composites. Based in Bowling Green, KY, the composites specialist
is part of the Blackhawk Modifications performance family.
Blackhawk says the XP42A Upgrade Program will significantly
expand Caravan performance margins, effectively doubling the
aircraft’s rate of climb while using less fuel. Operators can
also expect increased takeoff weight (4%), improved takeoff
performance (20%), and increased cruise speed (15% or more). The
upgrade also provides free enrollment in CAMP Systems’
Aircraft Maintenance Tracking Program and the Trend Group’s
Turbine Trend Analysis Program.
The company has already logged 17 XP42A Upgrade sales,
according to Allmon. Work is under way today at the company’s
Waco, Texas, facilities, and the first delivery is scheduled for
August. “Our team is enthusiastic about this program because
it will really make a difference to the operating
community.” Orders are being filled on a first-come,
first-served basis.
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