More climb performance, more cruise speed, and more resale value are three convincing reasons to upgrade the stock Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engines with bigger ones. On the Pilatus PC-12, the 1200 shp PT6A-67P injects 142 more thermodynamic horsepower and allows for full-power climbs to FL 230. On the legacy Daher TBM 700 turboprop single, the Blackhawk PT6A-66D upgrade boosts performance to 850 shp from 700 shp. Blackhawk also upgrades the avionics on both airplanes to the latest Garmin glass.
At AirVenture 2026, Blackhawk was showing Mark Patey’s upgraded Pilatus PC-12 “Perry” and also a refurbished Daher TBM 700. We caught up with Edwin Black at Blackhawk for a look at both machines.
Man I wish I was wealthy enough to afford a turbine.