Story ID: 096
Blackhawk Expands into Avionics STCs with Acquisition
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Blackhawk has acquired Columbia Avionics & Aircraft Services, a specialist in Cessna Citation avionics STCs.
Word Count: 221
King Air performance specialist Blackhawk Aerospace, under a new business entity called Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies (BAT), is expanding into the avionics space with the acquisition of all assets of Columbia Avionics & Aircraft Services (CAAS).

In business since 1995, CAAS has developed STCs for avionics packages for Cessna Citations and other business jets. Waco, Texas-based Blackhawk plans to use CAAS’s expertise to do the same for the turboprop market. “The avionics STC development capabilities of the company will not only provide our dealers with more offerings for their customers, but it will also help Blackhawk to certify engine-to-avionics integrations more quickly and efficiently,” said Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon.

Leading BAT will be Mark Wilken as president, Conrad Theisen as v-p of sales and marketing, Lance Fox as director of engineering, and Shad Sones as general manager. The four leaders bring a combined 110 years of avionics experience. BAT will remain based at Columbia (Missouri) Regional Airport.

“Blackhawk Aerospace’s long-standing reputation in the King Air series aircraft along with the extensive Citation avionics, STC, and maintenance capabilities at our Columbia facility is a perfect match,” said Wilken. “Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies will bring King Air and Citation owners and operators the personalized customer attention, quality, and technical experience they have been looking for.”