WACO, Texas — Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., which designs, develops and installs performance improvement systems for single- and twin-engine turboprop aircraft, recently completed its 400th performance upgrade installation.
Blackhawk’s latest milestone customer is EagleMed LLC, of Wichita, Kansas, a provider of air medical transfer services in the Midwest. Expansion into the Carolinas and Wyoming led EagleMed to add two Blackhawk XP61-powered Beechcraft King Air B200s to reduce transport times over the longer distances in its growing market area.
“Time is muscle in our industry,” said Robbie Copeland, EagleMed’s director of Business Development. “Every minute that passes after someone suffers a heart attack, stroke or waits for a transplant can significantly impact their quality of life. Having two King Air B200s with the Blackhawk XP engine upgrade will get our patients to a high-level service provider in a lot less time. We are thankful for innovative companies like Blackhawk who help us expand our business model, lower our costs and reduce risks for our patients.”
“Helping EagleMed help people in need is a point of pride for the Blackhawk team,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk president and CEO. “From composites to aircraft sales – our capabilities continue to expand as the company continues to grow.”
The company’s newest venture, Blackhawk Services, Inc., is offering new programs, including more comprehensive maintenance and support after completion of upgrade installations, for its operators. Installations are also available through Blackhawk dealers and service centers. A recent expansion of the company’s headquarters in Waco has added parts storage and engineering and fabrication space to accommodate Caravan program growth, company officials note.
Blackhawk also is expanding its focus to aircraft brokerage and sales and has recently finalized the sale of two XP42A-powered Cessna Caravans. Developing Caravan resale capability will expand the global market for the XP42A Upgrade Package. To support Caravan sales, the company has appointed Craig Smith as Aircraft Sales Manager. Smith is a private pilot with multiple ratings and more than 3,650 flying hours and 28 years of aircraft marketing experience, including Caravan sales. His responsibilities include locating Cessna Caravans for upgrade and resale in the international market and securing brokerage agreements. Smith also will manage the upgrade process for these aircraft.
Blackhawk Modifications creates performance upgrade packages that feature new Pratt & Whitney engines. The company offers packages for many of the world’s most popular business and general aviation aircraft, including the Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 and 200 families of twin-engine aircraft as well as the Piper Cheyenne series, the Cessna Conquest I and its newest product, the XP42A Upgrade Package for the Cessna 208B Caravan single-engine utility aircraft. This upgrade will be available for other Caravan models after expected FAA approval in the fourth quarter of 2012.
For more information: Blackhawk.aero
