Page 13 - March19

The King Air 350 with Blackhawk -67A engines makes it the fastest
King Air in the world. When the STC for placing the -67s on a King
Air 300 is approved, it will take the reign of being the fastest.
(Photo credit: Matthew McDaniel)
Blackhawk Modifications
Jim Allmon is another guy who has made a dramatic
impact on the Beechcraft King Air and like James
Raisbeck’s modifications, Jim’s engine upgrades have
been incorporated into current production aircraft.
The investment for Blackhawk engines is significant,
but when considered in lieu of engine overhauls that
routinely exceed $1 million, the sticker shock fades
pretty quickly. Plus, the new five blade props are included
as well.
Tip – Aircraft with Pro Line 21 avionics require the
Collins Modernization upgrade.
-135A Conversion
The vulnerable King Air C90 is a great airplane, but it
is slow. In today’s world 220-230 knots just doesn’t get
you much respect in the turbine world. However, that
same airplane with -135A engines is a screamer! We’re
no longer talking about value retention, we are talking
about a whole different airplane with a different price
point completely.
-52 / -61 Conversion
The King Air 200 / B200 is the most prevalent
turboprop ever built! The 200 was designed in the
early ‘70s and BB-2 rolled off the line as a 1974 model.
Since then, Beechcraft has built over 2,800 King Air
200 series aircraft. That doesn’t include the 300 and
350 that grew out of the 200 series.
In 1981 Beechcraft replaced the -41 engines with -42
engines, a noticeable but not exactly a game-changing
improvement. When Blackhawk was granted its STC to
install -52 engines on the 200 series airframes it was a
game changer! The 300-knot King Air was born.
-67A Conversion
The King Air 300 with Blackhawk -67A engines is the
fastest King Air ever built; in fact it is one of the fastest
non-military turboprops available! As of this writing,
the -67 powered King Air 300 is still in flight test but it
looks like normal cruise speeds will be around 345 knots.
The -67 powered King Air 350 is without a doubt the
ultimate King Air 350! I had the opportunity to take
a ride in one we modified for a client and I can tell
you that I could fill this page with words and you still
wouldn’t understand. You simply have to fly/ride in it.
BLR Winglets
The cool factor with BLR Winglets is off the charts.
Sure, they help with climb and increase flight heights
MARCH 2019 KING AIR MAGAZINE •
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