Blackhawk Modifications (Booth C12012) has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its 867-shp XP140 new engine upgrade for Cessna 208A and 208B Caravans. The more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine gives the Caravan a 44-percent increase in available shp over a stock aircraft. It replaces the original 600/675-shp Caravans that were not equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics system. Blackhawk already has received more than a dozen orders for the upgrade, which features the same powerplant currently available on factory new Caravan EX models. Blackhawk experts will be here at NBAA to answer questions about the new conversion and they can also take customer orders.

The Waco, Texas, company is offering the upgrade as an aftermarket replacement for the standard PT6A-114 (600-shp) or the PT6A-114A (675-shp) . Blackhawk said -140 engine customers could expect significant improvements in climb performance, cruise speeds, takeoff distances and operations in icing conditions.

For Caravan owners who routinely operate at airports above 6,000 feet elevation with heavy loads on hot days, Blackhawk also offers the P&WC PT6A-42A as an even higher-power option. But the company said the -140 engine is a less-expensive alternative for operators who fly at lower altitudes, particularly those operating on floats. The -140 conversion uses most of the standard aircraft’s major firewall-forward components and cowling, but it does include an Ametek 325-amp starter/generator, new Hartzell 104-inch, three-blade propeller and spinner, new Howell digital/analog instruments, larger-capacity oil cooler and ducting, all installation instructions and FAA-approved flight manual supplements.

“FAA certification now allows Blackhawk to quickly install this extremely cost-effective system that is going to take operators above and beyond their current capabilities,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk CEO. “The system allows operators to retain many components of their original -114/-114A engines while boosting performance at the same time.”

Float manufacturer Wipaire is an early customer for the conversion and has shown compatibility with the Blackhawk STC on Cessna 208A models equipped with its Wipline 8000 and 8750 floats. “The Caravan has needed a seamless engine upgrade like the PT6A-140 for a long time,” said Wipaire owner Bob Wiplinger. “Blackhawk’s hot rod engine upgrade delivers impressive results for operators who have or are considering our Wipline floats. When I climbed to 2,000 feet above the ground at the end of a 4,000-foot runway, I was convinced that this engine is just what the Caravan needs.”

Earlier this year, Blackhawk took delivery of its 1,000th PT6A engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Having a strong working relationship with Pratt is as essential as having the STC that allows you to install new engines on older aircraft,” said Edwin Black, Blackhawk’s senior vice president for sales and marketing. Blackhawk has been installing PT6A engines for 16 years.

Blackhawk provides new engine installations and STC paperwork for all models of the King Air 90 and 200 series, Cessna Conquest, Piper Cheyenne I, II, IIXL and Cessna Caravan 208A and 208B. Blackhawk engine upgrades have been performed on more than 500 aircraft worldwide.