If you haven’t already registered, you may want to as spots are filling up for the King Air Gathering (KAG) being held May 12-14 at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Below is a summary of the speakers and evening activities:
Thursday, May 12:
Those flying their King Airs to the event will land at the Tullahoma, Tennessee, Regional Airport (THA) located adjacent to the museum and have reserved parking.
Starting at 1 p.m. and running every hour until 5 p.m., there will be guided museum tours (normally tours are only self-guided) from “VIP” tour guides – four people who have personal knowledge of Beechcraft history.
That evening enjoy meeting other King Air owners and pilots at a Welcome Cocktail Reception sponsored by Blackhawk Aerospace. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided compliments of the King Air Academy.
Friday, May 13:
Grab a cup of coffee and visit exhibitors starting at 8 a.m. until welcoming comments at 9, followed by the first seminar speaker who you won’t want to miss.
Bruce Landsberg, vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will discuss recent King Air accidents and share best practices for the King Air community.
Ed Phillips, Beechcraft historian and author, as well as a pilot and mechanic, will share the early years of Beech Aircraft and how it survived through the tumultuous years.
Don Cary, retired VP Customer Support of Beech Aircraft, will discuss how the company prepared for the new era of pilots and aircraft when the King Air was introduced (one was hiring Tom Clements!).
Breakout session: Choose between two interactive sessions with experts from each field – one focusing on Garmin avionics and the other regarding Collins Pro Line & Fusion avionics.
An aviation insurance specialist will discuss the current state of the aviation insurance industry, why premiums are so high and what you can do.
Breakout session: EFBs for the King Air pilot will be broken down by Garmin Pilot and Foreflight with interactive, informational sessions for each.
The day will wind down with the inaugural “King Air Hall of Fame” awards presentation. Individuals who had a vital role in making the aircraft what it is today will be recognized, starting with when it was first produced.
Afterward, enjoy dinner and entertainment – Nashville-style barbecue cooked right on the property and local Nashville entertainment of dueling pianos – hosted by Stevens Aerospace & Defense Systems.
Saturday, Sept. 25:
Bill Crutchfield, president and CEO of Crutchfield and also a King Air pilot and owner, will provide advice on safety and insurance that any pilot can benefit from, but specifically the aging King Air pilot.
Textron Aviation Senior Air Safety Investigator Peter Basile will present how the King Air compares to the industry and common themes he has observed.
Tom Grunbeck from IS&S will discuss the ThrustSense Autothrottle, the latest safety device available to the King Air.
Textron Aviation’s Manager of Turboprop Product Support Kim Burton will provide recent changes in King Air maintenance requirements and the top 10 questions (and answers) her group gets regarding the King Air.
Dean Benedict, King Air maintenance expert, will discuss logbook reviews, pre-buy inspections and acceptance flights.
Tom Clements, King Air expert, pilot and author, will share his thoughts on misunderstood King Air systems and why some were options.
Interactive session: PT6A engines with Rob Winchcomb of Pratt & Whitney and Paul Sneden, King Air DOM.
Interactive session: Legacy King Air autopilots with Tom Clements and Bill Brunton, instructor.
Special Speaker: Back by popular demand Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN Retired, former fighter pilot, test pilot, and Navy astronaut who spoke at the King Air Gathering II in Dayton, Ohio, has been requested back to speak as numerous KAG attendees have been requesting it. Don’t miss his memorable way of sharing stories.
4:30 p.m. – Wrap Up
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the King Air Gathering at the historical Beechcraft Heritage Museum. Besides the wealth of knowledge that will be shared, being able to talk face to face with King Air product and service providers and other King Air owners and pilots, all attendees also receive a year’s membership to the museum.
To register and for more information, go to kingairgathering.com.