Blackhawk Aerospace has launched a new engine upgrade programme for the Daher TBM 700-series turboprop having received supplemental type certification (STC) for the modification days before the US government shutdown came into effect.
Waco, Texas-based Blackhawk says work is already under way on the initial aircraft to receive the modification – a 1995-built 700A model – ahead of customer redelivery at the end of October.
Under the XP66D upgrade programme, Blackhawk replaces the French-built turboprop’s existing 700hp (521kW)-rated Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-64 engine with a factory-new 850hp -66D model.
In effect, it raises the performance of all 700-series aircraft – the A, B, and C2 – to that of the newer TBM 850 which entered service in 2006, increasing cruise speed by up to 30kt (55km/h) depending on the model and the condition of the engine replaced.
Edwin Black, Blackhawk Aerospace president, says the upgrade was developed in around 16 months, using expertise from sister company AVEX Aviation, a TBM specialist.
“We are really excited about this – any time you can develop a major new engine STC within a year and a half, that’s a huge win and it highlights the engineering expertise in the group,” he says.
In fact, the STC was received “in the nick of time”, just prior to the Federal government shutdown that began on 1 October.
“We were very nervous because we were hoping to have it a little bit earlier,” he says.
Blackhawk will deliver two more upgraded aircraft this year and is now taking bookings for the five slots it has available in 2026.
While take-off thrust remains at 750hp, Blackhawk’s modification adds a button in the cockpit that it calls “850 mode” that deactivates the torque limiter, allowing 121% torque and the full 850hp output.
“As far as the speed goes, you can definitely see the performance increase in the climb,” says chief test pilot Chris Dunkin. Blackhawk’s flight-test data shows the time to climb to 31,000ft is reduced to 22min against 27min 51s for the stock TBM 700C2.
Blackhawk, known as a specialist in Beechcraft King Air engine upgrades, selected the TBM 700 for its latest project, as it was “low-hanging fruit”, says Black, pointing to the ageing fleet.
Daher produced the TBM 700 series between 1991 and 2006 and many of those aircraft are now approaching the point where they require a major engine overhaul. “Rather than doing that they can convert the aircraft to the next one up. It’s a really good business model.”
In addition to the engine, Blackhawk offers other upgrade options, including for the propeller and avionics.
