Page 8 - Volume 12 Number 8

demo work with a recently converted 2003 model 350 near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, anyway. So, arrangements were made and in a one workday mission, Dunkin made a late-morning departure from western Wyoming to meet me at the far eastern edge of North Dakota. After we flew the evaluation flight within North Dakota, he had to reposition the aircraft to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to refuel. Then, he continued on to Waco and was home for dinner. That’s four separate flights, each of different lengths, into airports big and small, at both high and low elevations, covering a sizable portion of the United States (and seven of the larger states), within standard banker’s hours. Any way you slice it, that’s pretty impressive for any turboprop, much less one with the creature comforts, number of seats and payload of a 350. The XP67A upgrade is sure to make any current or would-be owner of a King Air 350 reconsider any thoughts they might have of moving to a jet. The performance enhancements of the Blackhawk XP67A upgrade bridges a lot of the gap between large cabin King Airs and similar-sized jets, while retaining all the attributes that have kept the King Air 300/350 in continuous production for three and a half decades. KA
Copyright 2018, Matthew McDaniel.
Publication rights granted the Village Press, for King Air magazine. All other rights reserved by author.
Matthew McDaniel is a Master & Gold Seal CFII, ATP, MEI, AGI, & IGI and Platinum CSIP. In 25 years of flying, he has logged over 17,500 hours total, over 5,500 hours of instruction-given, and over 2,500 hours in various King Air models (from the model 90 through the 1900D Airliner). As owner of Progressive Aviation Services, LLC (www.progaviation.com), he has specialized in Technically Advanced Aircraft and Glass Cockpit instruction since 2001. Currently, he is also an Airbus A-320 series captain for an international airline, holds
8 turbine aircraft type ratings, and has flown over 90 aircraft types. Matt is one of less than 15 instructors in the world to have earned the Master CFI designation for 8 consecutive two-year terms. He can be reached at: matt@progaviation.com or (414) 339-4990.
(Photos by Matthew McDaniel)
Blackhawk Late Breaking News
by Kim Blonigen
Afew weeks after this pilot report was written, Blackhawk Modifications announced that it had received FAA Approval of the Garmin G1000 NXi with the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for King Air 350. This Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) allows engine parameters from the Blackhawk upgrade to be properly displayed on the glass panel interface. The Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 panel is also approved for the Blackhawk XP67A.
For the remainder of 2018, Blackhawk will continue to offer a $50,000 avionics upgrade credit as part of the XP67A package. Contact Blackhawk to find an
Authorized Installation Center near you and to reserve your 2018 delivery position.
Also, Blackhawk Modifications launched the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for the King Air 300 series and will begin certification efforts in August. The upgrade is expected to dethrone the current fastest-King-Air title holder – the XP67A-powered 350s – with expected maximum cruise speeds of 345-350 knots true airspeed (KTAS). Climb performance is expected to be equally impressive, with a projected time to climb from sea level to FL350 in less than 17 minutes. Blackhawk says the performance benefits of the XP67A also help to improve the bottom line. Flying in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace can extend range and endurance, which may also lower total fuel consumption, and reduced block times will lower operational costs.
Blackhawk engineers anticipate the FAA STC for the King Air 300 will be issued during the second quarter of 2019. Pre-certification orders are now being accepted for XP67A delivery positions. Qualifying core PT6A-60A engines will be issued generous credit at $70 per hour/ per engine for time remaining to the 3,600-hour TBO. Blackhawk will be offering a $50,000 pre-certification discount for orders placed prior to the STC approval.
Contact Blackhawk for pricing details, engine credits, and rebates available for the King Air 300 at +1 (254) 755-6711.
6 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2018