There are many great debates among pilots, many of which you’ve probably debated yourself over an airport cafe lunch table or, more likely, within a social media group. You know the ones – lean of peak versus rich of peak, twin-engine safety versus single-engine safety, glass cockpits versus steam gauges, parachute or no parachute, etc.…
Over the years, many modification options have become available for the Beechcraft King Air. If you own or operate a King Air, there is a good chance your airplane has some modification made to it. How does the modification from the original airplane design affect the way the pilot operates the airplane? Why should I…
In 1928, the Travel Air Manufacturing Company introduced a series of enclosed cabin monoplanes aimed specifically at the emerging business aviation marketplace. It is safe to state that the nonstop flight of Charles A. Lindbergh from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, to Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France, in May 1927 ignited a massive wave…
Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle Now Available for European Operators as a Retrofit Solution in Select King Air Aircraft The European Union Aviation Safety Agency recently approved Garmin to offer its Autoland and Autothrottle to the retrofit market, starting with select G1000 NXi-equipped King Air 200 series aircraft. This certification marks the first time Garmin Autoland…
Laser Strikes on Aircraft Continue To Be Dangerously High Pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the Federal Aviation Administration last year. While that is a 3% decrease from 2023, shining a laser at an aircraft poses a serious safety threat and is a federal crime. People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of…
Last week I was at a shop doing a clinic on engine rigging with the maintenance technicians. Conveniently, there was a King Air in the shop with engine rigging issues, and everyone benefited from the hands-on experience. We also looked at the other King Airs in the shop. We discussed squawks that had been found…
Picture this: You’re rolling down the runway in your King Air 350, the PT6 engines humming smoothly as you prepare to rotate. Suddenly, a wayward goose crosses your path and before you can react, it’s sucked into the starboard engine. The cockpit lights up with warnings and your stomach drops – not just from the…
Current limiters: We talk about them and we test them. But what do they do for us, and how can we protect them? Let’s start with defining a current limiter. It’s a device that restricts or limits electrical flow to a predetermined maximum amount that prevents damage to components. The most talked about current limiters…
The 2025 King Air Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place during the King Air Gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, with both recipients and their families present. The third class to be inducted since the HOF was introduced in 2022 is comprised of Jim Allmon and Ed Pardi, with each taking home a custom award made…
Co-sponsors King Air Nation and BLR brought together approximately 240 attendees representing pilots, owners, mechanics and 42 sponsoring companies for the 2025 King Air Gathering from March 19-21 in Phoenix, Arizona. After a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, the next two days brought opportunities to connect, learn and celebrate at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and…