The recent installation of a Blackhawk XP42A upgrade package in one of Skydive Hawaii’s Cessna 208B Caravans will receive a traditional blessing from Kahuna Butch Helemano, a Hawaiian priest, this Saturday.
Following the 6 p.m. ceremony at Skydive Hawaii, located at the Dillingham Airfield on Oahu’s North Shore will be a full Hawaiian luau and a performance by hula dancers.
“The Blackhawk team, including our partner Pofolk Aviation Hawaii, which completed the installation, is delighted to help Skydive Hawaii help thousands of tourists, vacationers and accomplished skydivers enjoy their experiences in the world’s most beautiful drop zone,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk president and CEO. “Skydiving is an increasingly popular activity in Hawaii, and the Cessna Caravan, already a great jump platform, becomes absolutely ideal with the XP42A upgrade package.”
The Blackhawk upgrade enables Skydive Hawaii to carry more skydivers and instructors to altitudes up to 13,000 feet twice as fast as a standard 208B while consuming 58% less fuel. This translates into more flights each day and will enable Skydive Hawaii to maintain more efficient operating costs per passenger, a major competitive advantage, Blackhawk officials say. The system also improves takeoff performance, requiring less runway for takeoff rolls and improving the aircraft’s ability to clear obstacles. The upgrade’s greater power also increases the aircraft’s safety margin, providing more optimal performance during takeoffs and landings, officials add.
The XP42A upgrade package exchanges the Caravan’s existing engine with a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine, rated at 850 shaft horsepower continuous, with a 1,000-hour, no-calendar-limit Pratt & Whitney engine warranty. Blackhawk also installs a factory-new, wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller, a new carbon-fiber composite cowling and high efficiency inlet duct, both by Blackhawk Composites. A new 40% larger oil cooler, four-point engine mount ring assembly, all new engine mount isolators and a new engine hose kit are included, as well as new Blackhawk Hawkeye DigiLog engine gauges and two new Frakes exhaust stacks. Blackhawk provides a trend monitoring program and full technical support for the aircraft’s life. Documentation includes a flight manual supplement with full flight test-certified performance and maintenance and repair manuals.
Skydive Hawaii operates two specially configured Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. Skydive Hawaii provides extensive skydiving instruction and has supported dozens of aerial photography and cinema crews.
For more information: Blackhawk.aero
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