Blackhawk Wins EASA Certification for Cessna 208 Caravan XP42A Performance Upgrades; Prepares for First Deliveries
WACO, Texas, October 10, 2011 – Blackhawk is solidifying its position as provider of the aviation market’s most effective performance improvements for single- and twin-engine turboprop aircraft. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved Blackhawk’s XP42A Performance Upgrade for the Cessna 208B Caravan, one of the world’s most popular turboprop utility aircraft. EASA is the European equivalent of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and certifies the safety and reliability of aircraft, aircraft systems and components.
In addition, Blackhawk soon will complete delivery of the first XP42A package and begin upgrades on European Caravans that were pending EASA certification.
“The entire Blackhawk team is exceptionally proud of the XP42A package, and we are pleased to begin improving the worldwide Caravan fleet,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk CEO. “We firmly believe that Blackhawk’s FAA- and EASA-certified XP42A system is the best Caravan performance upgrade available today, and the aircraft nearing completion and now under way mark the start of a major line of business at Blackhawk.”
The FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the XP42A program in June 2011, and the first Caravan delivery will be completed about three months after U.S. program approval. Blackhawk technical experts will be available to discuss the XP42A performance upgrade and other products and capabilities throughout the NBAA Annual Meeting in Booth C6516, Hall C1, Level One, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Oct. 10-12, 2011.
The XP42A system includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 shaft horsepower continuous, exchanged for the Caravan’s existing engine, with a 1,000-hour, no calendar limit engine warranty from Pratt & Whitney. The package also features a factory-new, wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller, a new autoclave-cured carbon-fiber composite cowling and high efficiency inlet duct, produced by Blackhawk Composites, a new 40-percent larger oil cooler, a four-point engine mount ring assembly and all new engine mount isolators, a new engine hose kit, new Blackhawk Hawkeye DigiLog engine gauges and two new Frakes exhaust stacks.
The system offers a doubled rate of climb with less fuel consumption, a four percent increase in takeoff weight, better takeoff performance and safety margins and a 15 percent increase in cruise speed. It also reduces operating costs and increases revenue potential. In addition, the package provides a 3,600-hour TBO or 5,000-hour TBO (for qualified operators) with a qualified trend monitoring program. Documentation includes a flight manual supplement with full flight test certified performance and maintenance and repair manuals. Blackhawk offers full technical support for life of the airplane.