Engine modification firm Blackhawk announced a deal with maintenance program provider Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) at EAA AirVenture 2014 yesterday that will give customers the option of upgrading to new Blackhawk conversions in place of standard overhauls. Under the deal, JSSI will contribute to the value of the overhaul while customers would make up the difference in price.

Blackhawk currently offers engine conversion programs for the Beechcraft King Air 90 and 200; Piper Cheyenne I, II, and IIXL; Cessna Conquest I, Caravan and Grand Caravan, featuring Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines. The company recently delivered its 500th conversion, upgrading a 1998 King Air B200 with PT6A-52 engines for Ballard Aviation in Newton, Kan.

Bob Kromer, Blackhawk vice president, said the conversion option offers JSSI customers the opportunity to substantially upgrade the performance of their aircraft at a price only marginally more expensive that straight overhauls of their existing engines. Blackhawk conversions provide customers with improved hot-and-high altitude horsepower output, cruise speeds and rate of climb, he said.

Blackhawk also announced at AirVenture a new program for Cessna Caravan owners. The company is certifying the 867-shp PT6A-140 engine as a direct aftermarket replacement for the standard 600-shp PT6A-114 or the 675-shp PT6A-114A in these aircraft. Blackhawk said -140 engine customers could expect significant increases in climb performance, cruise speeds, takeoff distances and operations in icing conditions. Deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2015.

The company currently offers the PT6A-42A as a high power option for Caravan owners who routinely operate above 6,000 feet with heavy loads on hot days. The company said the -140 engine will be a less expensive alternative conversion for operators who fly at lower altitudes, particularly those who operate on floats. The -140 conversion uses most of the standard aircraft’s major firewall-forward components and cowling.