DragonFly Executive Air Charter has put a second Blackhawk-modified King Air into service from its Cardiff airport base.

The company's first experience of the upgrade came when a managed aircraft was refitted by MCA Aviation at Shoreham. The second aircraft is one of two King Airs owned by DragonFly itself, and has become the first King Air 200 to have Blackhawks installed at the Hawker Beechcraft facility at Chester.

"The performance of both aircraft has exceeded expectations," says ceo Howard Palser. "The cost of under $1m for a pair of new engines, although a more expensive option than overhauling existing engines, is reckoned to be much better value overall."

All three aircraft are popular with direct clients and charter brokers, he reports, and all three carry the same attractive livery and have vip leather interiors.

"Although the King Air can be flown commercially by a single pilot, DragonFly is one of the few charter companies in Europe to operate the aircraft with two type-rated commercial pilots on a genuine multi-crew basis for maximum safety," says Palser.

The operator aims to ensure maximum availability and the ability to perform charters at very short notice by employing three sets of type-rated crew. "This is of particular importance when the company is on stand-by to undertake emergency medical flights carrying teams of surgeons to perform organ transplant operations. The extra speed of the Blackhawk King Air is useful in this respect, as is the fact that Cardiff airport, where the aircraft are usually based, is open 24 hours enabling us to get in and out easily at any time of day or night," he adds.

In its last financial year DragonFly increased turnover by 23 per cent and is actively pursuing plans to expand the company.

Hawker Beechcraft says it is experiencing a growing interest for the Blackhawk engine upgrade available on all King Air 200 series aircraft. The upgrade includes two factory-new engines with new engine warranty from Pratt & Whitney. The engines have a larger, improved gas generator so they run cooler and more efficiently providing increased power at altitude. The result is better climb and cruise speeds allowing for an increase in maximum range coupled with reduced operating and maintenance costs.

"Just over 200 Blackhawk King Air engine upgrades have been completed worldwide, making it the most successful King Air engine upgrade programme by far," says Christi Tannahill, svp global customer support at Hawker Beechcraft.

"I am delighted by the Blackhawk upgrade, which has radically improved the performance of my King Air," adds Palser. "Not only has it improved the efficiency of the aircraft and reduced operating costs, it has also added value to the airframe for future resale purposes. This upgrade makes absolute sense as it improves the service we can offer our clients, while strengthening our finances. I was also impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail exhibited by the engineering and support staff at Hawker Beechcraft Services in Chester. I know my aircraft could not have been in better hands."