Blackhawk Close To Approval with Caravan Engine Upgrade

Blackhawk Modifications is close to getting an STC for its XP140 engine upgrade for the Cessna Caravan.

(Photo: Blackhawk)

Blackhawk Modifications announced that it imminently expects the FAA to certify its 867-hp XP140 engine upgrade for the Cessna 208A and 208B Caravans, the company announced on July 20 at EAA AirVenture. It is displaying an example of a 208B, featuring the Blackhawk conversiuon with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 turboprop, this week at the  show in Oshkosh, Wis.

The new engine provides the Caravan with up to 44 percent more available horsepower compared to original Grand Caravan models. It is intended to replace the 600/675-hp PT6A-114/114A engines in aircraft that do not have the Garmin G1000 cockpit upgrade. Other performance improvements delivered by Blackhawk’s upgrade include 41-percent improvement in rate of climb; 20-percent reduction in takeoff distance; 10- to 12-knot cruise speed improvement, to 191 knots; climb at 1,275 fpm; and range of up to 904 nm.

To date, nine operators have ordered the engine upgrade ahead of a supplemental type certificate being issued. According to Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon, the installation process allows operators to retain many components from their original aircraft, including the cowling, engine mount and exhaust system. “These like-new levels of performance, capability and lifting power represent a true reinvention of the Caravan,” he commented. “XP140 was developed to provide value, and, as the lowest-priced new-engine upgrade on the market, it delivers in a big way.”

Separately, Blackhawk announced that the FAA has approved the 325-amp starter generator for use on Cessna Caravans with its XP42A engine upgrade. The new generator, which replaces a 200-amp unit, is standard equipment on the PT6A-140 engine used for the new XP140 upgrade. It give operators a 50-percent reduction in start times, a significant reduction in start temperatures (reducing maintenance costs), and extended starter overhaul intervals (from 400 to 1,500 hours).

The starter generator and installation kit is available at an introductory price of $28,000. Installation requires less than two days of downtime. 

(Charles Alcock - AINOnline News)