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 nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX).
Textron Aviation started Thursday with a session that included Peter Basile providing an air safety incident review of 2024 specific to King Airs and Dan Lyon, vice president of Aftermarket Sales, sharing product and service updates and reporting that the company delivered 44 King Air 260 and 360 aircraft combined in 2024.
The agenda included a vendor marketplace, companion activities, presentations from industry experts and an inspirational keynote speech by Capt. Brian Udell, who survived an ejection at nearly 800 mph from an F-15E fighter aircraft. During FBO Day at Cutter PHX, there were on-aircraft sessions and plenty of time to explore 13 King Airs on display.
KAG wrapped up on Friday night with King Air Hall of Fame inductions, dinner and a live auction. If you didn’t attend, peruse the next few pages for highlights from this year’s gathering and see page 16 to read about this year’s induction class.
FBO Day King Air Awards
For the second year, attendees voted on a series of awards presented to aircraft on display for KAG’s FBO Day.
- Best Overall King Air: accepted by owner Paul Huet for Demon B200 BB-887/N87699
- Best Exterior: accepted by pilot RJ Neuberger for B350 FL-368/N984RP
- Dirty Bird Award: accepted by owner Wes Norton for C90 LJ-609/N546CN
Dean Benedict receives FAA’s highest honor
The FAA presented Dean Benedict with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics and is named in honor of an early collaborator of the Wright Brothers who built the first aircraft engine and is recognized as the first aviation mechanic.
Dean obtained his FAA A&P certificate in 1975, making this his 50th year dedicated to King Air maintenance. He went to work in 1975 as a line mechanic for BeechWest Van Nuys, a Beechcraft dealership that provided factory training and exposure to all makes and models. Within 10 years, he rose from shop foreman to service manager and ultimately facility manager of what he helped build into one of the most successful Beechcraft service centers, and a favorite among King Air operators.
When Raytheon bought Beechcraft, Dean became director of maintenance for a corporate flight department in Las Vegas. He then founded and ran Honest Air Inc., a Beechcraft maintenance boutique with a strong following of King Airs, for 15 years. Today he and wife, Lisa, operate BeechMedic LLC, consulting with owners, pilots and mechanics on King Air maintenance issues, troubleshooting and pre-buys.
Dean was among the inaugural inductees in the King Air Hall of Fame in 2022. He is a longtime contributor to King Air magazine, with his Maintenance Tip article appearing six times a year.
King Air Nation Foundation announces scholarships
The King Air Nation Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, formed in 2024 with the objective of growing the King Air industry from both ends of the A&P and pilot spectrum. Through the support of the annual King Air Gathering and the event’s auction, the foundation has funded efforts to increase the King Air workforce through scholarship, including two that support students in their pursuit of technical education.
The foundation announced two scholarship rollouts during KAG. These will be awarded for the 2025 fall semester to support students in mechanical or flight training at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and students pursuing aircraft maintenance technician certification at Hinds Community College’s campus in Raymond, Mississippi.