Can my shop do the installation or does Blackhawk have to do the installation?
Blackhawk
does not perform installations. Although the installation is
basically an engine change and can be done by any Pratt & Whitney
Canada certified facility, we have found that you will save time and
money if the upgrade is performed by any of our approved installation
facilities worldwide. These facilities have the experience to
complete the upgrade faster and with the higher exacting quality you
demand.
What is the lead time on engine(s)?
Blackhawk
orders all engines a year in advance. We can usually deliver within
30-60 days or sooner. Call for timing on the next set of available
engines.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We
work with several banks that offer very competitive rates.
How does the Blackhawk XP Engine+ Upgrade affect resale value?
To date, nearly every Blackhawk powered aircraft that has been resold within 500 hours of the upgrade has sold close to or higher than the combined investment of the airframe and engine(s). Resale value of Blackhawk powered aircraft remains strong in all markets. Many dealers are even speculating on Blackhawk powered aircraft.
Can I put my airplane on charter?
Yes. In
fact, many charter companies prefer operating aircraft upgraded with
a Blackhawk XP Engine+ Upgrade because they are able to operate out
of shorter, higher, and hotter runways.
Can I keep my core engine?
Since the
upgrade price already reflects the value of the cores, you can keep
your core engine if you are willing to pay Pratt & Whitney Canada
for the core. Prices will depend on core engine times.
My engine(s) still have time left to TBO, so should I wait until engines are due for an overhaul?
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PW&C) offers an engine credit for every hour remaining to the factory TBO. To qualify, the core engine must have enough cycles on the life-limited components to make TBO and all records supporting the component times and cycles must be present and submitted.
Waiting until TBO risks the possibility of a core engine problem, resulting in additional core charges from PW&C. Also, prices from P&WC increase every year, so waiting two or three years would mean a higher investment without any of the time-remaining credit.
How does an upgrade compare to buying a newer aircraft?
Blackhawk
offers transformative performance without the risks of buying new:
Will you be able to sell your aircraft for the value you expect? Will
there be unexpected costs to acquire your new aircraft? Will there be
unexpected issues not uncovered by the pre-buy? Upgrading with
Blackhawk eliminates uncertainty and the transactional costs of
buying another aircraft while transforming the performance and
utility of the aircraft you know best.
If I upgrade, does it make sense to wait until my next overhaul?
Why wait to
start enjoying the many benefits of an upgrade? Save money on every
mission you fly, increase the capability of your aircraft, and take
advantage of generous core credits for time remaining. Over half of
Blackhawk’s customers upgrade with more than 500 hours remaining.
But won’t I burn more fuel?
Yes, the fuel burn is greater at equal altitude. However, taking advantage of the increased climb performance and higher cruise speeds significantly narrows or eliminates the increase in fuel consumption. Also, utilizing the increased climb and cruise performance will reduce block times and deliver a significant reduction in overall operating costs. Typically, any increase in fuel cost will be offset by a larger reduction in direct operating costs. We’ve done the math, it pays to fly faster!