“Now, is there anyone out there who wants to go fast? Anybody?” asked the crew chief. Then in the immortal words of Ricky Bobby with his hand held high, he said, “I wanna go fast!” Let’s face it, who doesn’t? Lucky for you, Stevens and Blackhawk have the answer.
Let's get straight to the point: What is the universal desire when it comes to flying? Aside from the dream of free gas and maintenance, everyone, without exception, seeks higher speeds and altitudes. While purchasing a new aircraft with superior performance is a fantastic option if feasible—as seen in recent market trends—let's explore ways to enhance your existing aircraft's performance for efficiency and time savings.
In the realm of King Air aircraft, various enhancements can optimize efficiency, increase weight capacity, reduce runway requirements, improve handling, and minimize noise. However, a key upgrade stands out for those aiming for notable gains in speed and altitude: replacing older, comparatively slower engines with a high-performance version. This upgrade, akin to swapping a stock V6 engine for a supercharged V8 in your car, delivers a significant boost in performance. Blackhawk Aerospace has mastered this transformative engine refit for the King Air series. Similar to the determined Oscar Goldman from the 1970s TV series "The Six Million Dollar Man," Blackhawk recognized the potential for enhancing aircraft capabilities through technological advancements in engine retrofitting. With a mantra of "Better, stronger, faster," Blackhawk has become a trailblazer in elevating speed and altitude in turboprop aircraft. For those recalling the iconic 1970s show, brace yourself for a trip down memory lane as the theme song and special effects sound linger in your mind. You're welcome.
Blackhawk offers engine upgrade options for the 90, 200, and 300/350 airframes. Today, let's focus primarily on the 300/350 series. The XP67A upgrade for the 300/350 is a comprehensive package, including both engine and propeller enhancements, unlike the 90 and 200 series, which involve engine upgrades only. With the XP67A upgrade, you'll reach higher altitudes in about half the time, cruising at over 330 knots. Experience a 40+ knot increase in speed, faster climbs at jet-like speeds, all while maintaining the passenger load and utility of the King Air. Intrigued? Contact Stevens Aerospace at https://stevensaerospace.com/contact-us/ and we'll guide you through the process. Want more details? Let's delve into the specifics.
Here are the facts:
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60% increase in Climb Rate. Reduce costly fuel consumption by reaching altitude in half the time. Climb to a higher altitude faster and take less fuel to get there, and once there your fuel consumption is less than it would be at the lower altitude. Bottom line: get there faster, fly higher, and use less fuel.
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Over 330 KTAS Max Cruise Speed. That's an average of 40 KTAS faster than your stock engines.
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New Pratt PT6A-67A flat-rated 1050 SHP Engines with a 3600-hour warranty. P&WC Enhanced New-Engine Warranty 2500 hours or 5 years with prorated coverage to the 3600-hour TBO whichever comes first. 1200 SHP engine flat rated to 1050 which gives you the power boost you need in both climb and cruise.
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New 5 blade Quiet Composite Propellors. The two main benefits are noise reduction and the removal of the ground idle solenoid so there is no minimum prop rpm. Now you can taxi at 600 rpm with your new 5 blade props versus 1050 rpm with your existing 4 blade props.
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Real money ROI every year plus the added time savings. Save a 16% reduction in overall annual operating costs and extend the time to reach the 3600-hour overhaul timetable by almost a year. When it's time to sell, the resale value benefits from 100% of the retail price of new engines, as acknowledged by Aircraft Bluebook, Conklin & de Decker, Jetnet, and Vref. Investing in new, zero-time-zero-cycle, more efficient PT6A-67A engines enhances resale values significantly.
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Your current engines are worth big bucks. Since most of you will do this with time left on the engines because you want more power, more speed, and more altitude right now, Pratt significantly reduces the cost of new -67A engines in exchange for your core engines and will give you up to $70 an hour for every hour left on those engines remaining up to the factory TBO. Combine that instant money with the tax benefits available with the bonus depreciation program, then combine that with the savings from putting less time on the plane by “getting there faster”, and this is one upgrade that absolutely makes sense and you already know you need to get this done.
See what others have to say
Here are a few testimonials from "converted" fans sharing why this upgrade makes sense and detailing their firsthand experiences:
“At Triton Airways, we are flying our planes 600-800 hours a year in a fleet of Citations and King Airs. We wanted and needed to offer our clients a platform where they would get the altitude and speed of a jet but with the utility of the proven King Air. Our recent addition of a King Air 350 with the Blackhawk 67A engines made that possible. Quick to altitude and jet speeds at cruise all with the payload and cabin of the 350. It’s a perfect fit for our fleet”.
Stephen E. Barker, President and Chief Pilot, Triton Airways, www.tritonairways.com
“My job as an acquisition agent is to put a smile on my client’s face. NOTHING puts a smile on their face like a big ol’ King Air going 330+ kts. You can read everything in the world about these engines but until you take to the runway and feel the acceleration when it launches, you can't possibly appreciate how awesome it is! The airplane climbs straight to altitude and accelerates to speeds you never thought you'd see in a King Air... if that doesn't put a smile on your face, nothing will!
Chip McClure, Founder/CEO, Jet Acquisitions, www.JetAcq.com
“Putting these engines on the 350 is a real game changer. Straight to the low 30’s in about 17 minutes and usable power all day long at 30 to 35. It’s also a much better weather plane. I can now react better and have the ability to climb above the weather rather than diverting 100 miles out of the way and losing time, and money. Plus, all that performance and I can still land it pretty much anywhere in 3000 feet. It’s clear to me that after ATC once asked me to “verify type” since my speed was so high, that Blackhawk has really put the Super back in Super King Air”.
Paul Armstrong, Founder Owner and Chief Pilot, Air King Aviation, www.AirKingAviation.com
Now that the decision is clear, let's delve into where and when you can get these upgrades installed. Stevens Aerospace is the leading authority in King Air maintenance and modifications, boasting a legacy dating back to the first King Air flight in the mid-60s. From day one, we have been an integral part of the Blackhawk team, consistently maintaining our status as one of their premier installation and service centers year after year.
Whether you're seeking a focused engine upgrade or contemplating a comprehensive overhaul, including avionics suite upgrades, full paint, and interior refurbishments, Stevens Aerospace has you covered from tip to tail. Rest assured, our commitment is to deliver results that are On Time, On Budget, and On Target.
Thanks to Blackhawk, you can now reach higher speeds and altitudes, with installations performed competently and supported by Stevens Aerospace. This dynamic partnership ensures you're in capable hands every step of the way.
For further details on this modification or any inquiries regarding your aircraft, [email protected] or visit www.StevensAerospace.com.