The Blackhawk Group (TBG) and Wetzel Aviation have announced a strategic partnership to acquire, upgrade and resell turboprop aircraft. The collaboration applies specifically to aircraft sales for the Beechcraft King Air, Cessna Caravan, Piper Cheyenne and Cessna Conquest aircraft lines, which align with Blackhawk’s engine upgrade supplemental type certificate (STC) portfolio.

Aircraft sales for TBG’s PC-12 models will continue to be managed by Finnoff through Jon Boknecht and Jay Reeder, while sales for TBG’s TBM models will remain managed by AVEX through Danielle Booth and Max Michalski.

COMBINED AIRCRAFT SALES AND UPGRADE PROGRAMME

Under the partnership, customers will have the opportunity to acquire aircraft that have undergone comprehensive upgrades through Blackhawk’s network of businesses.

Upgrade work may include engine upgrades, avionics modernisation, airframe modifications, documentation checks, cleared time items and updates to paint and interior. These modifications are intended to produce aircraft configured for specific operational missions.

Conrad Theisen, Vice President of King Air Programs for Blackhawk’s Performance Center Network, said the collaboration will combine carefully selected aircraft with Blackhawk’s performance upgrades to deliver turboprop aircraft designed to provide long-term operational capability.

CLEAR DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Wetzel Aviation will manage aircraft acquisition and sales activities under the partnership, using its market network and sales expertise to identify suitable aircraft.

The Blackhawk Group will carry out the upgrade work using its established performance modification programmes and technical capabilities.

Bryon Mobley, President of Wetzel Aviation, said the collaboration allows both organisations to focus on their respective strengths, with Wetzel Aviation managing aircraft sourcing and sales while Blackhawk undertakes the upgrade programmes.

UPGRADES PERFORMED AT BLACKHAWK PERFORMANCE CENTRES

Customers will be able to participate in the aircraft acquisition and upgrade process by working with both companies throughout the programme.

All modification work will be performed at Blackhawk Performance Centers located in Columbia, Missouri (KCOU), Broomfield, Colorado (KBJC), or Wasilla, Alaska (PAWS).