Blackhawk News
March 10, 2026
The Blackhawk Group and Wetzel Aviation Announce Strategic Partnership for Aircraft Sales and Upgrades
Waco, TX – March 10, 2025 – The Blackhawk Group (TBG) today announced a strategic collaboration with Wetzel Aviation to acquire, upgrade, and resell turboprop aircraft, focusing on platforms central to TBG’s engine upgrade STC portfolio. The primary emphasis of the program will be all variants of the Beechcraft King Air.
Through this collaboration, customers will be able to purchase aircraft that deliver “better than new” performance following comprehensive upgrades by TBG’s family of businesses. Upgrade scope may include engines, avionics, airframe modifications, fresh DOC checks, cleared time items, and/or paint and interior as needed, creating a fully modernized aircraft tailored to the owner’s mission.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Wetzel Aviation and the opportunity to offer greater capability, value, and long-term operational benefits to our customers,” said Conrad Theisen, VP of King Air Programs for Blackhawk’s Performance Center Network. “This collaboration allows us to pair carefully selected aircraft with the full range of Blackhawk upgrades to create turboprops that deliver ‘better than new’ performance and are ready to serve their owners’ missions for years to come.”
Wetzel Aviation will lead all aircraft acquisition and sales activities, leveraging its extensive sales network and market expertise to identify and place high-quality aircraft. The Blackhawk Group will be responsible for executing all upgrade work, applying its industry-leading performance solutions and technical capabilities.
“We are looking forward to greater collaboration with The Blackhawk Group,” said Bryon Mobley, President of Wetzel Aviation. “This allows both companies to provide a superior product, simply by doing what they individually do best. In our case, that’s buying and selling an aircraft with a good pedigree. For Blackhawk, it is showcasing their ability to upgrade these aircraft to better-than-new condition.”
Customers will also have the opportunity to customize their aircraft by working jointly with Wetzel Aviation and TBG throughout the acquisition and upgrade process. All modification work will be performed at one of TBG’s Performance Centers located in Columbia, Missouri (KCOU), Broomfield, Colorado (KBJC), or Wasilla, Alaska (PAWS).
For more information, contact Conrad Theisen at The Blackhawk Group or Jim Riner or Bryon Mobley at Wetzel Aviation.
Conrad Theisen – Vice President, King Air Programs, Blackhawk Performance Centers
Mobile: (309) 314 4169
Jim Riner – CEO, Wetzel Aviation
Mobile: (303) 884 8903
Bryon Mobley – President, Wetzel Aviation
Mobile: (303) 517 4822