News
Blackhawk announces multiple XP42A sale

July 23, 2012, Texas – Blackhawk, the world’s leading provider of single- and twin-engine turboprop aircraft performance improvements, has sold a Cessna Caravan equipped with the XP42A upgrade package and two XP42A Caravan upgrade systems to Canadian operator Alkan Air. The charter and air ambulance service provider is already flying the milestone aircraft and praising its enhanced performance.

Blackhawk will showcase many of its popular engine upgrade systems, including the XP42A, and will offer summer incentive pricing, at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2012 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 23-29. AirVenture attendees may visit the Blackhawk exhibit, Booths 2117 and 2118, in Aisle B, Exhibit Hangar B, during show hours.

“Blackhawk is pleased that the XP42A upgrade has begun flying in Canada with respected operator Alkan Air,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk President and CEO. “We fully expect that the XP42A will become the leading performance improvement for Canada’s large Caravan fleet, and this sale is an important first step.”

A recent analysis of Caravan upgrade packages has shown that the XP42A offers especially significant advantages to those who fly in remote, cold or rugged and challenging environments. The detailed findings are summarized in a Buyer’s Guide that is available for download at www.blackhawk.aero.

“The Cessna Caravan is a great aircraft, and Blackhawk’s XP42A upgrade makes it so much better,” said Hugh Kitchen, former Alkan Air President. “Alkan Air operates in a mountainous area of Canada, and the ability to climb to altitude quickly is extremely important, greatly enhancing flight safety. The faster cruise speed translates into more efficient load deliveries and more trips per day. Commonality of engines with other King Air aircraft is also a big plus.”

“The Blackhawk Caravan engine upgrade is the next logical step in the evolution of the capable 208B Caravan,” added Ron Limoges, Alkan Air Chief Pilot and Partner. “Our customers rely on the Caravan’s payload and reliability. They’ll be even more eager to fly the faster Blackhawk Caravan with heavier loads from unimproved Yukon airstrips.”

The XP42A system includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 continuous shaft horsepower (SHP). The system also features a new, wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller; new composite cowling and high efficiency inlet duct; new 40 percent larger oil cooler; uses the existing engine mount with a modified horse collar; new engine hose kit; new Blackhawk Hawkeye DigiLog engine gauges; and new Frakes exhaust stacks. Blackhawk provides full technical support for the life of the aircraft.

Alkan Air’s experienced pilots and technicians have provided 24-hour flight services, seven days a week since 1977 to clients including corporations, mining companies and hunting parties in northwest Canada and Alaska. The company operates 2 Cessna Caravans, including the new XP42A 208B, as well as other Cessna, DeHaviland, Hawker Beechcraft and Piper single- and twin-engine aircraft.

Blackhawk, 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-engine turboprop engine 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.