Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

Blackhawk Aerospace has completed baseline flight testing for its Pilatus PC-12 engine upgrade program&nbsp;and is now flying one of the turboprop singles&nbsp;powered by the higher-horsepower PT6A-67P engine. The Waco, Texas-based modification company (Booth 4819) expects to receive an FAA&nbsp;supplemental type certificate (STC) for the upgrade in the second quarter of 2023, with EASA approval anticipated&nbsp;shortly thereafter.

 


Blackhawk’s XP67P program replaces the stock Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-67B with the PT6A-67P, which offers more horsepower and improved efficiency. The upgrade allows operators to maintain their existing propeller configuration but Blackhawk plans to certify new propeller options.

 


Improved metallurgy in the PT6A-67P provides a higher interstage&nbsp;turbine temperature (ITT) limitation of 850 degrees C&nbsp;compared with the 800-degree C limitation of the stock engine for takeoff. Maximum continuous ITT for climb and cruise is 820 degrees C&nbsp;for&nbsp;the upgrade versus 760 degrees C on the stock engine.

 


The combination of the higher ITT and increased thermodynamic horsepower produced by the XP67P engine enables operators to climb with&nbsp;full torque to more efficient cruising altitudes, according to Blackhawk. The PT6A-67P is the same engine that is factory installed on the PC-12 NG.&nbsp;

 


To date, Blackhawk has received five deposits on the upgrade and is offering owners and operators a pre-certification contract that will secure their delivery position. “Pre-certification orders are an important metric for gauging how successful a new STC program will be,” said Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon. “Having five contracts in the pipeline prior to obtaining the STC serves as great supporting evidence for the fact that we have a fantastic program to offer the PC-12 market.”

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