N717TB

N717TB is a Blackhawk Aerospace Bravo, a single-engine turboprop operated by MIDWEST AVIATION SERVICES LLC. SkyMeter has tracked 130 flights totalling 67 hours of airtime via ADS-B across 2 callsigns. The most frequent segment is KCFE to KCFE. Service window in our records spans 394 days. Of those flights, 4 (3.1%) carry at least one detected incident — go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Blackhawk Aerospace Bravo has a maximum takeoff weight of 3,600 lb, light wake category.

About the Blackhawk Aerospace Bravo

The Blackhawk Bravo represents one of the most popular aftermarket conversions in general aviation — a Cessna 208 Caravan re-engined with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turboprop. Blackhawk Aerospace, a specialist in turboprop engine upgrades, developed this supplemental type certificate to transform the already-capable Caravan into a significantly higher-performing utility aircraft. The conversion increases horsepower from the standard 675 shp to 850 shp, delivering improved climb rates, higher cruise speeds, better hot-and-high performance, and increased useful load — critical advantages for operators in mountainous terrain, high-density altitude environments, or those needing maximum payload capability.

The Bravo conversion has found favor with cargo operators, skydiving outfits, and backcountry charter services where the extra power translates directly into operational flexibility and safety margins. While retaining the Caravan's legendary ruggedness and short-field capability, the Bravo variant offers cruise speeds around 185 knots and service ceilings exceeding 28,000 feet, making it a compelling upgrade for operators who have outgrown their standard Caravan's performance envelope. The conversion maintains full FAA certification and can be applied to new or existing Caravan airframes.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.