Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

David A. Lombardo

Blackhawk Modifications (Booth No. 1467) has reached the final stages of flight testing for its program to upgrade the Cessna Caravan with the Pratt &amp; Whitney PT6A-42A engine. The new XP42A powerplant consists of the 850-shp engine bolted onto a newly designed cowl that Blackhawk claims to be “hyper efficient.” The conversion is in the process of getting approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency and this is expected to be awarded shortly after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration grants its supplemental type certificate. 
According to Blackhawk, 40 percent of current Caravan orders are from Europe-based operators who desire substantially improved takeoff and climb capabilities and faster cruise speeds. Jim Allmon, the U.S. company’s president and CEO, told AIN, “Blackhawk offers more of what the customer bought the Caravan for to begin with: more power to get you safely into and out of remote locations and the speed to get you there faster.”
According to Allmon, Blackhawk has the largest non-OEM engine contract in force with Pratt &amp; Whitney and sold more than 500 turboprops last year. Engines are priced based on the Pratt exchange program and credit is issued for time remaining to overhaul on core PT6A-114/A engines. 
Blackhawk projects the upgrade will result in a 45-percent decrease in takeoff distance, a doubling of the rate of climb, a maximum cruise speed increase of almost 35 knots and a decrease in fuel burn at original Caravan power settings of 20 pounds per hour. The upgrade also includes AeroAcoustics’ APE III aircraft payload extender and short takeoff and landing capability for extended flexibility with greater than 300 pounds additional payload. &nbsp;&nbsp;

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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