Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Matt Thurber

Blackhawk Aerospace has achieved first flight of a Daher TBM 700 retrofitted with a Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine and completed baseline flight testing for its re-engining supplemental type certificate (STC) program. The engine upgrade will bring the TBM 700 to similar performance capabilities as the TBM 850.
During the initial flight, the testbed airplane—N590JL, serial number 306—“achieved higher speeds and altitudes than previous models, validating the engine's improved performance using the existing certified components,” according to Blackhawk. The STC development and flight testing is taking place at Blackhawk’s Waco, Texas headquarters.
The upgrade replaces the TBM 700’s original PT6A-64 engine, which produces 1,583 equivalent shp, with the 1,825-eshp PT6A-66D, although the engines are flat-rated to 700 and 850 shp, respectively.
Further flight testing is underway, and Blackhawk is collaborating with Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada, Hartzell Propeller, and MT propeller to “further refine performance metrics,” according to Blackhawk. “In the first flight, the aircraft achieved higher speeds and altitudes than previous models, validating the engine's improved performance using the existing certified components.”
The next steps in the STC program include detailed performance testing and specific inlet and propeller evaluations, with the goal of achieving the STC in the second quarter of next year. Blackhawk said it has already “received multiple deposits securing delivery positions and continues to accept deposits for 2025 and 2026 deliveries.”
“This first-flight milestone represents a key advancement in our STC program, bringing increased power, performance, and sustainability to TBM 700 owners,” said Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk Aerospace. “The PT6A-66D engine will redefine the aircraft’s capabilities and offer substantial benefits to operators.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

TBM 700 Re-engining Program Advances at Blackhawk Aerospace

Flight testing is validating performance improvements

Blackhawk Aerospace achieved first flight of a Daher TBM 700 retrofitted with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine and completed baseline flight testing.

TBM 700 Re-engining Program Advances at Blackhawk

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In this article

TBM 700/850 Series

BlackHawk Aerospace

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Aircraft MRO Industry Embraces Artificial Intelligence

New applications for AI are constantly emerging

Finnoff Bundles PC-12 Upgrades into Performance Package

New engine and propeller turn legacy PC-12s into NGs

Independence and Innovation Improve Maintenance Support Options

JSSI has diversified beyond its core hourly cost maintenance programs and invested in technology

FAA Reverses Course on Mx Supervision Interpretation

Agency stayed a September letter of interpretation for physical presence of mx supervisors

Environmental and Skills Innovation Converge at Biggin Hill MRO

Business aircraft manufacturer acts to reduce carbon emissions and attract technical talent

IS&S Providing Autothrottles for U.S. Army King Airs

Modification eases pilot workload and enhances safety

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