Finnoff Aviation Products (FAP) is using True Blue Power’s TB44 46-amp-hour main ship battery for a lithium-ion battery STC kit that will be available for Pilatus PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 single-battery airplanes. An amendment that includes dual-battery PC-12s is currently under development.

“We are especially impressed with the significant weight savings of 32 pounds over the lead-acid battery, as well as the high- and low-temperature advantages—without having to remove the battery in cold-soak conditions,” said FAP marketing v-p Pat Finnoff. “This especially speaks to the PC-12, which is so suitable for these adverse weather situations.”

True Blue Power claims its TB44 battery provides for faster and cooler engine starts; a rapid, 15-minute complete recharge; reduced maintenance and operational costs with eight-year average battery life at two-year maintenance intervals; and increased dispatch reliability. “The TB44 is a significant performance upgrade for PC-12 operators currently utilizing heavier, more maintenance-intensive batteries on these aircraft,” said True Blue Power director Erik Ritzman.