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Blackhawk Aerospace has added the Pilatus PC-12 to its roster of aircraft for aftermarket engine upgrade Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs). The stock Pratt andamp; Whitney Canada PT6A-67B engines will be replaced with the higher thermally rated PT6A-67P model in a program they're calling the XP67P Engine+ Upgrade. Flight testing for the engine upgrade is expected to start at the end of the first quarter of 2022.THe XP67P engine utilizes improved metallurgy, which allows for a higher Internal Turbine Temperature (ITT) limitation of 850°C compared to the stock -67B's 800°C limitation for takeoff. The maximum continuous ITT for climb and cruise is 760°C for the -67B and 820°C for the XP67P. Further, the PT6A-67P is a 1200 shaft horsepower engine that produces 142 more thermodynamic horsepower than the stock PT6A-67B. The combination of the higher ITT and thermo produced by the -67P engine gives operators the ability to utilize full torque to more efficient cruising altitudes. Where the stock -67B starts losing power at 13,000 feet, the XP67P can maintain full power to 23,000 feet."Building upon the success of our existing Caravan engine upgrades, adding the Pilatus PC-12 platform to our growing list of STCs was a natural evolution for the aftermarket engine upgrade business that Blackhawk was built on," said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk's President and CEO.According to Blackhawk's market research, there are 1,700 total PC-12 models in operation, making it the second largest single-engine turboprop market behind the Cessna Caravan. With more than 600 of the PC-12s eligible for the XP67P upgrade, many of the aircraft are at, or close to, an overhaul event, which is the best opportunity to upgrade to new engines.The XP67P Engine+ Upgrade includes one factory-new Pratt andamp; Whitney PT6A-67P engine and maintains the existing Hartzell four-blade aluminum propeller. Blackhawk plans to certify additional propeller options in the future.