Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Beechcraft King Air 300, 350, and 360 series

Chad Trautvetter

Blackhawk Aerospace has launched a supplemental type certificate (STC) program for the Hartzell five-blade composite propeller on Beechcraft King Air 350s as part of its XP67A Engine+ upgrade, with FAA approval slated for late July. Announced last week at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, the composite propeller option offers lighter weight (by about 20 pounds), reduced noise, increased durability, and enhanced performance compared to the standard four-blade aluminum propeller.
According to Blackhawk, the composite propeller allows for shorter takeoff distances, faster climb rates, and improved cruise speeds, as well as smoother operation, reduced cabin noise, and lower maintenance demands.&nbsp;This builds on the XP67A Engine+ upgrade, which replaces factory-installed Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines with PT6A-67As that have a 24% increase in available shaft horsepower.
“This new STC program highlights our passion to pursue next-level performance solutions,” said Blackhawk president Edwin Black. “By integrating Hartzell’s cutting-edge propeller with our proven XP67A engine upgrade, we’re providing King Air 350 operators with additional propeller options resulting in a personalized path to smarter, faster, more efficient flying—with significant operational savings.”

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.

Blackhawk To STC Five-blade Hartzell Composite Props for King Air 350

Option offered as part of company’s XP67A Engine+ upgrade

Blackhawk has launched an STC program for the Hartzell five-blade composite propeller on Beechcraft King Air 350s as part of its XP67A Engine+ upgrade.

Blackhawk To STC Five-blade Composite Props for KA350

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Office is co-located at Jet Aviation Singapore

Gulfstream Opens Customer Support Office in Singapore

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New software helps aircraft operators avoid reformatting documents

Web Manuals Rolls Out XML Document Management Tool

Matt Thurber

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Fuselage rail system and radome approvals expand the company’s offerings

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission STCs for Challengers

Curt Epstein

The 250,000-sq-ft addition will be operational in 2028

Bombardier’s Singapore Maintenance Facility To Expand

The company saw record demand for AOG services last month 

West Star Aviation Rises To Meet Soaring AOG Demand

It aims to create national footprint

California MRO Expands to Colorado with Company Buy

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo 2025

In this article

King Air 300 Series

BlackHawk Aerospace

Textron Aviation

Hawker Beechcraft

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Gulfstream Opens Customer Support Office in Singapore

Office is co-located at Jet Aviation Singapore

Web Manuals Rolls Out XML Document Management Tool

New software helps aircraft operators avoid reformatting documents

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission STCs for Challengers

Fuselage rail system and radome approvals expand the company’s offerings

Bombardier’s Singapore Maintenance Facility To Expand

The 250,000-sq-ft addition will be operational in 2028

West Star Aviation Rises To Meet Soaring AOG Demand

The company saw record demand for AOG services last month

California MRO Expands to Colorado with Company Buy

It aims to create national footprint

Bluetail Releases AI-powered Aircraft Records System

Features free up maintenance teams for more critical work

Duncan Ramps Up for World Cup Bizav Maintenance Support

Company’s service footprint covers all 11 U.S. host cities

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