Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

Gregory Polek

Blackhawk Aerospace has completed its 150th Cessna Caravan engine upgrade. It offers two upgrade options for the turboprop single: the XP140 and the Vy conversions, which feature the Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-140 and the PT6A-42A engine, respectively.
“This is a major milestone in our Caravan program’s success,” said Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon. “For these workhorse airframes, more power is a necessity for mission capability, and we’re honored to provide solutions that breathe new life into the fleet.”
Caravan operations span a variety of mission profiles, including cargo, corporate, passenger, and military applications. In each case, Blackhawk’s upgrades deliver a significant increase in available horsepower, improving climb rates, raising safety margins, and affording access to more destinations including those in hot and high conditions or with unimproved runways.
Guyana-based Blackhawk operator Air Services, which provides scheduled and charter operations, medevac flights, and sightseeing tours, placed an order for its eleventh XP140 upgrade.
“The additional available horsepower is crucial for our operations,” said Air Services' Bhesham Persaud. “It allows us to take off, climb, and cruise at levels we couldn’t before, which expands our versatility to safely operate in every corner of Guyana.”
Separately, Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies (BAT) has just received the Garmin Platinum Dealer Award, which places it at the highest level of Garmin dealer classification. As a top dealer, BAT can offer upgrades such as the King Air G1000 NXi package.
Pollard Aircraft and BAT have also partnered to perform six Garmin G1000 Autoland and autothrottle upgrades on King Airs that Pollard sells.

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 Aerospace Completes 150th Cessna Caravan Engine Upgrade

Horsepower increase expands the Caravan’s scope of operations

Blackhawk offers two upgrade options for Caravan operators: the XP140 and the Vy conversions, which feature the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-140 and the PT6A-42A engines, respectively.

Blackhawk Completes 150th Caravan Engine Upgrade

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

Kerry Lynch

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.

NBAA-BACE 2023

In this article

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

BlackHawk Aerospace

Textron Aviation

More In Maintenance and Modifications

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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