Testimonials
'Performs as Advertised'
“Performance is what Blackhawk is all about. Fast climbs, 1,000-mile legs, good loads, and lower operational costs. The Blackhawk upgrade performs as advertised.”
'Shocked at the Performance Difference'
“I love the King Air with the Blackhawk conversion. The local flight instructor that I use on occasion has started flying another C90B with the standard PT 21s, and he was just shocked at the performance difference. People would be sold immediately on the new Blackhawks after one ride. I have seen 273 TAS on several occasions and I usually am flying the plane pulled back a bit giving me a TAS of 260.”
'More Confidence'
“Thanks for building a great airplane for me. The Blackhawk conversion is fast, strong and safe. I have more confidence in this airplane than any of its predecessors. Keep the engineering coming.”
'...In a Heartbeat'
“I would do the Blackhawk conversion again in a heartbeat!”
'Thrilled'
“I am absolutely thrilled with my new Blackhawk engine gauges. They look beautiful and are really helpful in ensuring exact power settings in all flight regimes.”
'Made Our Airplane New'
“We feel like we have a ‘King Air-and-a-half.’ We are no longer temperature limited at altitude and maintain full power up into the flight levels. We are definitely Blackhawk groupies. Rather than buy another airplane, we made our airplane new.”
'Spectacular'
“Performance is spectacular with 3,800 fpm rates of climb and TAS of 276 knots. Not bad for a 1978 C90!”
'Travel Farther'
“I have had a wonderful experience with my C90 upgrade. The Blackhawk modification has delivered as promised in performance. I’m so impressed that I have given the go-ahead to install the Blackhawk extra range fuel lockers so that I can travel even farther in my King Air. Eliminating a fuel stop will save time and money!”
'Delivered on Every Promise'
“I had elected to rebuild one of my -41s and was surprised with a $450,000 overhaul bill for just one engine! Your upgrade has delivered on every promise. We love the increase in TAS, approx. 280 knots, and especially the reduced time-to-climb. It is a great comfort in having factory new -42 engines and all they offer. No matter who does the math, it makes a great deal of sense up front, not to mention performance enhancements, and last but not least the reduced cost on the next overhaul.”
'Substantial Performance Increase'
“Since upgrading to our -52 engines, we have seen a substantial performance increase. We typically cruise in the 290 to 300 knot range in the upper 20s. Hot day performance is great, without the worry of high ITT during takeoff, and climb performance is very impressive.”
'Power to Spare'
“We were climbing at 900 feet per minute at FL 350 the other day testing out our new RVSM system. The XP52 upgrade easily climbs to the service ceiling with plenty of power to spare.”
'We don’t worry about expensive engine maintenance'
“Our -52 conversion has been everything we expected. Our flying has increased 38%, mainly because we don’t have to worry about expensive engine maintenance bills. The engines have made trips from PA to Southern FL much more comfortable as we have been able to shave off a solid hour of flight time. I would recommend this conversion to anyone with old and tired -41 or -42 engines.”
'Will Save Us Money'
“The new -61 engines will save us money even on short trips. On our typical 150 NM trips, we climb 4000 feet higher and in less time and cruise 20 knots faster on the same amount of fuel. On our first flight, the owner asked me why we were starting down early. We were already there!”
'Pleasure to Fly'
“My engine upgrade makes the King Air a real pleasure to fly and operate. 305 -310 KTAS is easily achievable, and the only red line approached is the barber pole!”
'...Just Like a KA 300'
“I have accumulated thousands of hours in various King Air models and this airplane, with the -61s, performs just like a King Air 300.”
'Best Investment We Ever Made'
“Installing the Blackhawk XP135A engine upgrade on our Conquest was the best investment we ever made – and the efforts to make the experience smooth and enjoyable by Blackhawk were astonishing. Your performance representations were right on the mark. When we need assistance in tweaking the engines, you sent someone to Denver, at your expense, to review the situation and not only adjusted engines, but taught us how to maximize their performance with proper attention to power settings, climb speeds, loading, etc. It has been several years since the installation and we could not be happier.”
'Exceptional'
“The service provided by Blackhawk was exceptional, and the engines are now installed on the Conquest. I flew it for the first time this weekend and they worked great. Thanks to everyone at Blackhawk for great service on my new engine.”
'Outstanding'
“The airplane is outperforming the specifications you are claiming. I am getting approximately 5 more knots than advertised and the climb performance is outstanding.”
'New Life'
“We are very happy with the recent XP135A upgrade to our aging (1983) aircraft. It has really given new life to the old girl. Too bad Cessna doesn’t still produce this model since it fits the majority of the mission profiles that we require. We have done upgrades on paint, props, exhaust stacks, avionics and now engines and short of a completely new interior; believe it to be the best 425 out there. If we had a higher max cabin pressure differential, we wouldn’t even hesitate flying up to FL280. Having finally installed the new electronic torque gauges really allows fine-tuning of power settings, and they look sharp too!”
'Perfect Solution'
“The Conquest allows us to fulfill business demands in places such as Elkins or other short fields scattered in West Virginia’s mountains without thinking twice. We can complete short legs for a fraction of the cost of operating our larger jets and we don’t lose much time. The boss likes to go fast and didn’t want to part with his Conquest I. Speed is what brought us to the table and sealed the deal. The more efficient engines introduced a 30 knot speed increase which we recognized as our perfect solution.”
'A Far Better Airplane'
“When I decided to get the PT6-135A engines I was 141 hours (approximately 1 year flying) from a hot section. After a hot section I would still have 25-year-old engines. At least in theory, the airplane would increase in value, raising hope that the cost would be recovered, at least partially with the upgraded engines. Although the engines are still derated to 450 HP, their higher thermal limits make all the difference in the world. Critical altitude went from 17,000 to 24,000 feet, giving better climb performance up to the 24.000 foot level. At 24,000 feet, true airspeed went from about 256 to around 280 nm with a fuel flow increase from 75 to 80 gph. To me, the extra fuel flow has been worth it. Overall, I am very happy with the 135A engines, now that I have 366 hours on them. I have no regrets and am glad I made the switch to the new engines. I think that the Conquest I is a far better airplane with these engines than with the original PT6-112.”
'A Thrill to Fly'
“The XP engine upgrade has exceeded my expectations and is by far the best aftermarket investment I have ever made on any aircraft. Having extra horsepower at the right hand makes the Blackhawk Cheyenne an absolute thrill to fly.”
'Soars off the Runway'
“I get full torque at least to FL180 to FL190 and sometimes to FL220. It just soars off the runway. Above 23,000 you are at red line all the time.”
'Flies Faster'
“It flies faster. I was doing 270+/-TAS at 28,00 -25C. Most of my flights are now limited by the barber pole and never temp out.”
'...Incredible Machine'
“The engines made a old tired Cheyenne an incredible machine. They were really helpful climbing through weather and dealing with ice. The added performance at flight level 250 was exceptional, picking up an additional 30 to 35 knots.”
'Great People'
“Aviation is a tough business, especially finding people you trust, but Blackhawk will be more than their word…they are great people…”
'Good for Cash Flow'
“The new Blackhawk engines increase the performance of our aircraft and allow us to reduce the flight time…for the same commercial price. It is very good for the company cash flow.”
'Helps With Operating Costs'
“The improved speed and performance really adds up on our long flights and helps with our operating costs.”
'Exceeds Expectations'
“My expectations were very high, when I decided on the Blackhawk conversion for my Cheyenne II.
What I received exceeds by far what I was looking for!
- my aircraft flies 30-50kts TAS faster – IAS is typically at red line (you even have to pull back power sometimes)
- it climbs – even on an ISA+15 day @MTOW with 2000ft/min and an IAS of 160kts to FL240
- my typical cruise level is 3000 to 6000ft higher
I have to mention that I also upgraded with MT Propeller’s new 5 blade props. They turn with 1700rpm during cruise and contribute to a very calm cabin.
Both, the Blackhawk conversion plus MT propeller’s 5 blade composite propellers seem to be a perfect fit.
Dear Blackhawk Team: Go on with your excellent work!”
'Thrilling performance'
“I just flew 425ML for the first time last week after getting the new Blackhawk engines, and I am really thrilled with the performance. Last week’s flight from CA to FL took 7 hours flight time with one stop, which is more than a full hour less it took with the old 112 engines (I do this flight 4-5 times a year). We did between 282 to 287 KTAS all the way at FL270.”
'A climbing machine'
“Controllers gave me a compliment on my climb out of Baton Rouge. I was out of 7000 feet when I reversed course crossing back abeam the airport after only a short climb out on runway heading. Houston Center asked what kind of King Air 200 could climb like that. I have received similar questions recently from Washington Center climbing out of New Bern, NC, and Salt Lake City center climbing out of Rock Springs, WY.
I am sure you hear this kind of stuff all the time. It’s definitely a climbing machine. No big deal handling the sea level stuff but high altitude airports hot or cold its night and day from the 41’s.”
'Perfect fit'
“Our Blackhawk PT6A-61s have been a fantastic investment! The plane jumps off the runway, climbs straight up & settles in ~300 knots in normal cruise. We save time on each flight with power to spare. The -61s are a perfect fit for the King Air B200.”
'Dramatic performance improvement'
“The performance improvement in climb and cruise is dramatic. We con- duct the whole en route cruise phase of our flights 10 knots below the barber pole, TAS 310. We are very pleased with the -61’s!”
'Ideal motor'
“I’m convinced the -61 engine is the ideal motor for the King Air 200. In upper flight levels, we are consistently 8 to 10 knots below the barberpole at recommended cruise settings.”
'Higher performing'
“Who wouldn’t want brand new, higher performing engines?”
'Surpasses expectations'
“We continue to enjoy the enhanced performance of the PT6A-42s on our King Air 200 N5PX. It continues to surpass our expectations. Thanks to you and all of the Blackhawk staff for a job well done.”
'Very proud'
“We are very proud to be the first commercial operator in Europe with this fabulous new airplane. The King Air has always been a great aircraft; the Blackhawk is now the perfect European executive transport.”
'Raised market value'
“We narrowed the choice for a King Air between a B200 and our straight 200. I liked everything about the 200 better and decided to surrender the slower cruise speeds. When Blackhawk released the new 200XP engine upgrade, it was exactly what we needed to close the speed gap between the two models. The wide range of upgrades available for the King Air 200 raises their market value beyond many B200’s. I feel we now have the most polished King Air 200 in the sky, far more desirable than a stock B200.”
'Incredible upgrade'
“The upgrade is incredible! We saved over an hour round trip from South Dakota to DC. We zipped right up to FL330 with ice vanes deployed for most of the climb. These new engines will really carry the mail. There is no way we could have done that with the -42’s.”
'Running great'
“Airplane is running great. At FL250 one day I actually saw 311 on the true airspeed indicator, and it was still climbing slowly. I had to power back as I was right on the barber pole.”