BLR Aerospace received FAA approval yesterday for its Ultimate Performance Package (UPP) for the King Air 200GT. The modifications, which were developed in partnership with Hawker Beechcraft, include BLR composite winglets, Hartzell four-blade composite propellers and the Raisbeck ram air recovery system. Each individual system was previously STC’d, and these approvals have been integrated under BLR’s performance package STC, which includes an FAA-certified flight manual supplement, allowing operators to take full advantage of the combined performance improvements. EASA and ANAC certification is pending. With the package installed, modified King Air 200GTs can take off at sea level over a 50-foot obstacle in 2,100 feet, some 400 feet less than a standard aircraft. Additionally, the UPP installation reduces fuel burn by nearly 8 percent in climb, increases max operating speed by up to 36 knots for faster descent and increases range by more than 225 nm at max-range power. According to BLR, the UPP modification costs about $250,000 and requires one to two weeks of downtime. Installations are being done in the U.S. at Hawker Beechcraft service centers and internationally at BLR-authorized shops. BLR is seeking to expand the STC to cover B200-model King Airs.