Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Beechcraft King Air 300, 350, and 360 series

Matt Thurber

The FAA has approved a supplemental type certificate (STC) for Blackhawk Group’s integration of the Hartzell five-blade composite propeller on the King Air 350 XP67A Engine+ upgrade. That powerplant modification replaces the original Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines with 1,200-shp PT6A-67As.
Weighing about 10 pounds less than the four-blade aluminum propeller,&nbsp;the carbon-fiber five-blade propeller&nbsp;has a smaller diameter, reducing cabin and exterior noise. Development of the composite propeller included more than 50,000 flight-test hours, 20 lightning-strike simulations, and more than 200 bird-strike tests, according to Blackhawk.
The -60A engines provide a 24% increase in available horsepower, pushing cruise speeds to above 337 knots and improving takeoff and climb performance, with the ability to climb to FL350 in less than 18 minutes.
“This STC approval is a major step forward for King Air 350 operators looking to elevate performance without buying a new airframe,” said Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk’s Proprietary Upgrades division. “By pairing Hartzell’s composite propeller with our XP67A upgrade, we are delivering a powerful, efficient solution with strong ROI.”

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 Receives STC for 5-blade Prop on XP67 Engine+ Upgraded King Air 350

Composite propellers provide a quieter cabin and less exterior noise

Development of the composite propeller included more than 50,000 flight test hours, 20 lightning-strike simulations, and more than 200 bird-strike tests.

Blackhawk STCs 5-blade Prop on XP67 Engine+ Upgrade

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

New model responds to parts market shifts

Duncan Aviation Revises Component Repair Pricing

Charles Alcock

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.

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.

U.S. certification covers Dassault, Bombardier and Textron aircraft types

FAA Approves ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium for U.S. Jets

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.

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.

Transaction subject to U.S. regulatory approvals

TransDigm Expands PMA Portfolio with $2.2B Deal

Charlotte Bailey

UK Part 145 MRO approval for Learjet aircraft joined by new helicopter paint shop 

Gama Aviation Gets Extended Mx, Paint Shop Capabilities

Facility specializes in work on aeromedical helicopters

DRF Maintenance Expands Helo Maintenance at Straubing

Acquisition of Alaskan-based service center augments turboprop specialist’s expertise

Silver Sky Aviation Becomes Blackhawk’s Sixth Location

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

In this article

King Air 300 Series

Hawker Beechcraft

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Revises Component Repair Pricing

New model responds to parts market shifts

FAA Approves ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium for U.S. Jets

U.S. certification covers Dassault, Bombardier and Textron aircraft types

TransDigm Expands PMA Portfolio with $2.2B Deal

Transaction subject to U.S. regulatory approvals

Gama Aviation Gets Extended Mx, Paint Shop Capabilities

UK Part 145 MRO approval for Learjet aircraft joined by new helicopter paint shop

DRF Maintenance Expands Helo Maintenance at Straubing

Facility specializes in work on aeromedical helicopters

Silver Sky Aviation Becomes Blackhawk’s Sixth Location

Acquisition of Alaskan-based service center augments turboprop specialist’s expertise

Airwolf Adds Japan STCs for Lithium-ion Batteries

Covers a variety of popular rotorcraft models from Airbus, Bell, Enstrom, and MD

MRO Profile: Desert Jet Maintenance

Former aircraft operator turns fully to MRO services

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