Skydive ENPC, based in the Netherlands, has taken delivery of the first European Cessna Caravan to be modified with the Blackhawk XP140 Engine+ upgrade, including MT five-blade propeller and AeroAcoustics kit.

The modifications, recently approved by EASA, are anticipated to provide a 37 per cent increase in climb rate and a 22 per cent decrease in take-off distance, while decreasing starting temperatures by 100°C. The XP140 has also recently been granted a TBO extension of 400 hours, bringing the base to 4,000 hours and reducing operating and maintenance costs for owners.

The propeller and acoustics kit further enhance utility by reducing noise and foreign object damage and increasing gross weight capabilities.

The installation, performed by Part 145 facility Mastenbroek Aeroskill based at Breda International airport, was assisted by Blackhawk's Don Moore.

“Our PT6A-114A was nearing its extended overhaul limit and required a large amount of component replacements,” says Skydive ENPC chief pilot Frank van Ierssel. “Together with Mastenbroek Aeroskill, we found that the Blackhawk XP140 upgrade kit was a very suitable replacement that would allow us to get our skydivers to altitude even faster. Mastenbroek Aeroskill really did an excellent job, and the whole conversion was completed in only 10 days.”

Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon adds: “We are pleased to offer this performance enhancement package to the European Caravan market. The upgrades greatly enhance the utility of these hard-working aircraft, and we believe the XP140, MT five-blade propeller and AeroAcoustics kit combination delivers unrivalled performance.”

Skydive ENPC is located in the southern part of the Netherlands.