Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Blackhawk Modifications (Booth T51) is nearing certification of its XP67A engine upgrade for the King Air 350 that will provide speeds that the company says will make it comparable to jet aircraft. The company has completed flight testing and anticipates FAA approval next month. Work on EASA certification is slated to begin after FAA approval.


The company has begun to take pre-certification orders on the package, which includes the installation of two Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and new MT five-blade composite propellers and spinners. The upgrade further offers training, support, and a five-year or 2,500-hour engine warranty from P&amp;WC.


The upgrade, which president and CEO Jim Allmon called “the most exciting upgrade in Blackhawk history,” boosts the maximum cruise speed of the aircraft to 332 knots at 28,000 feet (from 312 kt) and provides the ability to climb from sea level to 35,000 feet in 18 minutes. “We’re talking about true jet-like speeds, twice the payload, and one-third the operating cost of a comparable jet, said Allmon.


The company also has begun taking orders on its next generation Vx Engine+ package for the Cessna Caravan, which builds on its 850-shp PT6A-42A upgrade with a number of updates. The new Vx Engine+ package also includes new lightweight components and improvements to boost efficiency and lower maintenance costs. The engine has a redesigned and more efficient compressor and a five-year, 2,500-hour warranty. The installation also includes a lightweight composite cowling and Hawkeye DigiLog gauges by Howell Instruments. Improvements include a new stator vane welding process, a new vibration dampening stator strap, a newly designed bleed valve overboard duct, and a new inlet scoop that improves air-conditioning functionality.


Blackhawk is offering a range of options for a new propeller, including the MT five-blade composite propeller assembly, which is 30 pounds lighter and reduces noise levels in compliance with the 78 dBA European takeoff noise requirements. Hartzell three- and four-blade propellers are also offered. The package further comes with the option of a True Blue Power lithium-ion battery and a 325-amp starter generator, reducing start temperatures and increasing engine life. The modifications specialist recently received an FAA STC for the installation of the True Blue Power TB44 (46 amp-hour) lithium-ion battery on Blackhawk-powered Cessna Caravan 208/208B models.

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.

Blackhawk Nearing STC on Speedy King Air Upgrade

The upgrade will boost the King Air speed to 332 knots.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

Executives share their experience with system

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Executives share their experience with system

Australian Regulator Approves Textron Service Centers

Textron operates service centers in Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast

C&L Aerospace Tapped for Challenger Flutter Damper Mx

The company was selected by OEM Héroux-Devtek

Avcon Delivers Aerial Weapon in Florida Mosquito Fight

The Kansas-based company specializes in modifying airframes

Duncan Aviation Authorized for Honeywell APU Repairs

MRO’s Lincoln facility expects to bring work online in early 2027

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