Story ID: 500
Blackhawk Aerospace Turns 20
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Blackhawk Modifications is celebrating its 20th year in business with a facilities expansion and new P&WC agreement.
Word Count: 294
Turboprop modification specialist Blackhawk Aerospace (Booth C7525) is celebrating 20 years in business with a major facilities expansion and a new 10-year agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) to supply factory-new engines. 

Earlier this year, Blackhawk doubled its footprint at its Waco, Texas headquarters, purchasing a 10,000-sq-ft adjacent hangar and office complex to house the company’s growing sales and marketing department and a showroom for refurbished “Phoenix” program aircraft for sale. 

The Phoenix upgrade applies to King Air and Cessna Conquest I turboprops and includes new or low-time Blackhawk XP Engines, new or low-time propellers, fresh paint, new modern interiors, glass cockpit avionics, and fresh inspections. “The Phoenix program has really taken off this year,” said Blackhawk CEO Jim Allmon. “The extra hangar space was essential in supporting the rapid growth of the program.” 

One Blackhawk “Phoenix” currently for sale is the company’s FA-124 King Air 300 testbed. “FA-124 is not only the best-looking King Air 300 on the market, but it’s also the fastest King Air in the world,” said Allmon. “Our official reported cruise speed states 343 knots, but that’s a conservative number. We’ve seen speeds north of 350 knots from the -67A engines and Hartzell propeller combination. It’s truly incredible.”

Blackhawk obtained FAA certification for its -67A upgrade on the King Air 300 in July and has since received five orders for it. The company also has certified the upgrade in the King Air 350. 

The company said its various upgrade programs over the last two decades has resulted in the exchange of more than 1,600 engines between it and P&WC. “Pratt has been an invaluable partner for us since day one,” Allmon said.