by Leigh Davis, Director of Marketing and Communications, Greater Waco Chamber
In March, we paused production of this edition of Greater Waco Business Magazine to focus on COVID-19 communications to our members and the broader business community. Focus pivoted back to production of this publication in tandem with the first phases of reopening in the state and the local community. For this revised version of the small business spotlight, I interviewed the president and CEO of Blackhawk Aerospace via the socially distant method of the telephone, while he drove to Austin to sell airplanes. The resulting article is a reminder that business is built on an idea and a solid belief that it will succeed.
Blackhawk Aerospace Blackhawk Aerospace is the recognized leader in performance improvements for turboprop aircraft. Founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas, the company serves customers worldwide in the commercial and government markets. Today, Blackhawk Aerospace comprises Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades, Blackhawk Aerospace Aircraft Sales, Blackhawk Aerospace Solutions, and Blackhawk Aerospace Composites. Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades supports the largest installed fleet of STC twin- and single-engine turboprop upgrades, making Blackhawk the largest non-OEM buyer of new Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines in the world. To date, almost 900 XP Engine+ Upgrades have been 34 | SUMMER 2020
delivered for Caravan, Cheyenne, Conquest, and King Air aircraft, all featuring factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. Blackhawk upgrades have the strongest resale value of any engine upgrade on the market. A worldwide network of approved dealers and service support centers complement Blackhawk’s U.S. facilities.
The idea and the genesis of the business When the idea of building a turboprop modification business occurred to Jim Allmon, he met with resistance. He proposed the idea to his then employer, who responded, “Jim, if I want your idea, I will give it to you.” Following that exchange, Allmon aligned with two business
