Samantha Cartaino

Blackhawk Modifications today announced expansion of its EASA approval for the Cessna Caravan XP140 Engine+&nbsp;Upgrade to include the Aero Acoustics Kit and the MT five-blade composite propeller. This upgrade meets European noise requirements while improving aircraft performance.

 


Skydive ENPC, a parachutist club in The Netherlands, was the first company to receive this Caravan upgrade from Blackhawk. Mastenbroek Aeroskill completed the installation in 10 days with assistance 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.”

 


Some of the benefits of the Blackhawk XP140 Engine+&nbsp;Upgrade include a 37 percent increase in climb rate, a 22 percent decrease in takeoff distance and decrease in starting temperatures of 100°C (212°F). Additionally, the engine was recently granted a time between overhaul (TBO) extension of 400 hours, which brings the base TBO to 4,000 hours, reducing operating and maintenance costs for owners.

 


“We are pleased to offer this performance enhancement package to the European Caravan market,” said Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon. “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 five-blade propeller, and Aero Acoustics Kit combination delivers unrivaled performance.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.