This year’s King Air Gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, co-hosted by King Air Nation and BLR Performance Innovation, brought operators, manufacturers, and suppliers together again to celebrate this venerable platform. Since 1964, almost 8,000 various King Air models have been delivered to customers, and over 6,000 of those are still flying all over the world. If you look at the platinum, gold, and silver-level sponsors of the 2025 Gathering, you’ll find an active and robust industry designed and still growing around the King Air.
On display at Cutter Aviation’s Sky Harbor FBO was Blackhawk Aerospace’s newest offering, MT’s seven-blade composite Whisper Prop, to go with Blackhawk’s XP67A Engine+ upgrade for the King Air 350. Blackhawk claims that this certification milestone sets a new standard for performance, efficiency and comfort in turboprop aviation. The seven-blade MT propeller, certified in unison with BLR Aerospace, enhances climb rate, cruise speed, and fuel efficiency while reducing cabin noise and vibration fatigue, according to the upgrade specialist.
Edwin Black, president at Blackhawk Aerospace, says, “At Blackhawk, we’re always looking for ways to help our operators get more performance, efficiency, and value out of their aircraft. The certification of the seven-blade Whisper Prop with our XP67A Engine+ upgrade is a huge win; it’s quieter, smoother, and makes an already incredible upgrade even better. We’re proud to offer this upgrade alongside MT Propeller and BLR Aerospace to bring this innovation to the King Air community.”
According to the engineers at Blackhawk, the new propeller enhances the aircraft by providing
- A quieter King Air: Certified for low takeoff noise, delivering a noticeably quieter cockpit and cabin.
- Superior aerodynamics: Reduces vibration fatigue with a 45% higher damping coefficient, enhancing longevity of aircraft systems.
- Fuel savings and smooth taxiing: No RPM restrictions during ground operations, minimizing brake wear and optimizing fuel efficiency.
- Enhanced durability: Nickel-cobalt leading-edge blade protection for superior resistance to erosion and damage.
- Simplified maintenance: On-aircraft repairs and in-field blade replacements without hub changes.
In the accompanying photo taken at Cutter Aviation in Phoenix, you’ll see the Blackhawk seven-blader second from left. I have to say, this new engine-prop configuration is starting to look like a super high-bypass turbofan, and I guess it kind of is. Just be sure to feather that big beast if an engine decides to go south for any reason. Otherwise, that’s a big disk of drag out there.
