Blackhawk News

February 26, 2016

Fly Safari Airlink Gets Their Customers to Their Destinations More Quickly

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – February 26, 2016 – From the famous Spice Islands and blue lagoons of the Swahili Coast to the world class wildlife of the Southern, Western and Northern National Parks, Fly Safari Airlink operates a network of air routes across some of the most exciting and remote parts of Tanzania.

Recently, Fly Safari Airlink upgraded two of their Cessna Grand Caravans with Blackhawk’s new XP140 Performance Upgrade.  “It is much more cost effective for us over the longer routes.  Not only do we get our customers to their destinations more quickly, but we save engine and airframe time on our ‘new’ Caravans” said Peter Fox, owner of Fly Safari Airlink.

Blackhawk Modifications received FAA STC approval for their XP140 Performance Upgrade on the Cessna Caravan 208 and 208B in October 2015.  The more power Pratt & Whitney 867 SHP PT6A-140 engine replaces the original 600/675 SHP PT6A-114/-114A, bringing new levels of performance and capability to the hardworking Caravan fleet.  Also with a factory-new engine, the XP140 Performance Upgrade includes a new AMETEK 325-amp starter/generator, new Digital/Analog engine instruments, a Hartzell 3-blade 106” propeller, and a higher capacity engine oil cooler, all while retaining the existing engine mount, cowling, and exhaust system.

“With eight Blackhawk-equipped Cessna Caravans flying in Africa, our engine upgrade program has proven to be quite successful in the part of the world,” says Cisca de Lange, Regional Sales Manager for Blackhawk.  “Increased horsepower makes a huge impact for operators flying safari tours and wildlife transport missions and gives the pilots an airplane that simply does more.”