Blackhawk announced Brazil’s civil aviation safety authority, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), has granted approval for Blackhawk’s performance upgrade for the Cessna 208A Caravan. The approval clears the way for Brazilian Caravan operators to improve aircraft performance with reduced operating costs and higher safety margins. The ANAC certification enables Blackhawk to market, install and support the XP42A program for Cessna 208A Caravans licensed to operate in Brazil.
ANAC approved the certification for the XP42A for the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in October 2011. ANAC’s certification follows similar approval from the FAA in June 2013 that permits XP42A utilization on the Cessna 208A Caravan in the United States.
“We are passionate about helping operators improve the performance of their aircraft. That’s why we are thrilled to expand into Brazil’s growing general aviation industry,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk president and CEO. “With ANAC’s approval, operators of the 208A Caravan now have the opportunity to increase their revenue potential and out-fly, out-climb and out-perform their competition.”
The XP42A system includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 shaft horsepower continuous, exchanged for the 208A Caravan’s existing engine, with a 1,000-hour, no-calendar-limit Pratt & Whitney engine warranty. The package also features a factory-new, wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller, a new carbon-fiber composite cowling and high efficiency inlet duct, produced by Blackhawk Composites, a new 40 percent larger oil cooler, a four-point engine mount ring assembly and all new engine mount isolators, a new engine hose kit, and two new exhaust stacks.
Trac Group provides design, engineering and manufacturing of high and low pressure complex turbine components including blades, segments and vanes for the engine hot section.
As a supplier on new commercial aircraft engines and power generation systems, Trac Group produces components for Rolls-Royce, Snecma, Alstom, Siemens, and other manufacturers. The company employs about 400 and has headquarters in Crewe, U.K., with production facilities in the U.K. and Mexico.
Terry Russett, managing director, Trac Group, called the combination “a win-win for the equipment manufacturers, which demand innovation, quality and performance both in the supply chain and the aftermarket.”
The company will retain its brand name and be referred to as “A Chromalloy Company.” Chromalloy and Trac Group are privately held and the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.