Blackhawk Modifications King Air XP67A Gains STC

With slightly more than a year’s worth of work from start to finish, Blackhawk Modifications said Friday that its efforts to earn approval for their XP67A engine upgrade STC were approved by the FAA. The XP67A STC focuses on improvements to the Beechcraft King Air 350.

The Blackhawk STC begins by exchanging the stock Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60As (1,050 shp) with a pair of PT6A-67A engines rated to 1,200 shp, but derated to 1,050. The replacement motors carry a full Pratt & Whitney Canada new engine warranty good for five years or 2,500 hours. The exchange also swaps the stock propellers for a pair of factory-new MT natural composite propeller assemblies with spinners.

Blackhawk Modifications president and CEO Jim Allmon said in a news release, “Our tests have shown that the XP67A-powered King Air 350 can fly from sea level to 35,000 feet in just 18 minutes, and has a max cruise speed of up to 340 knots at 28,000 feet. We’re talking about true jet-like speeds, twice the payload, and far lower operating costs compared to a jet. This is the fastest King Air on the planet, and the performance is just phenomenal.”

The Blackhawk STC promises a full 40-knot airspeed increase and a gross weight boost from 13,000 to 15,000 pounds. Pratt & Whitney also offers a $70 per hour engine credit for any unused time on the original engines.