Garmin Delivers 1,000th King Air Retrofitted With G1000 Avionics
On Oct. 6, Garmin celebrated the delivery of its 1,000th G1000 integrated flight deck retrofit for Beechcraft King Air aircraft. The milestone occurred on a U.S. Army C-12 Huron, which was upgraded by Stevens Aerospace and Defense with G1000 NXi and Garmin Autothrottle.
“Reaching 1,000 King Air retrofits is a testament to the enduring value of this program and the trust customers place in Garmin and our authorized dealer network,” Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales, marketing, programs & support said in a news release. “From the original G1000 installation to today’s G1000 NXi platform with advanced capabilities such as Garmin Autothrottle and Autoland, we have continued to expand the program to serve King Air operators and missions around the world.”
Garmin said the delivery underscores the long-standing success of its King Air retrofit program and its ability to provide commercial off-the-shelf avionics solutions for defense missions. The U.S. Army has upgraded more than 40 C-12 Huron aircraft with G1000 NXi.
“To maintain mission readiness of the U.S. Army’s C-12 fleet through 2050, the Army initiated a comprehensive avionics modernization effort,” said Jim Williams, senior vice president at Stevens Aerospace. “The Garmin G1000 NXi was selected as the fleet’s next-generation avionics solution, and Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems was awarded the contract to perform the upgrades.”
Lt. Col. James B. Hickey, project manager, fixed wing, said the achievement shows government and industry can rapidly deliver modernized capability that positions Army Aviation for the future fight.
“By replacing aging analog systems with reliable, data-enabled G1000 technology, we are mitigating obsolescence, reducing lifecycle maintenance burdens and improving operational readiness,” Hickey said. “This modernization gives fixed wing Army Aviators enhanced situational awareness and decision advantage while reducing cognitive workload, enabling them to execute complex missions more effectively in demanding and contested operational environments.”
Garmin received the first supplemental type certificate for a King Air G1000 retrofit in November 2007 and evolved with the January 2017 certification of G1000 NXi. Since then, the program has expanded across multiple King Air variants, including the C90A/B, 200, B200, 300 and 350 series and C-12 variants.
King Air G1000 and G1000 NXi upgrades have been completed globally, supported by foreign certification validations that make the modernized flight deck available to operators for various missions. More recently, Garmin has introduced additional capabilities for eligible King Air aircraft, including Autothrottle and Autoland. Garmin Autothrottle automatically manages engine power from takeoff through landing to reduce crew workload. On properly equipped King Air aircraft, Garmin Autoland takes control if the crew can’t perform their duties. It selects an airport, communicates with air traffic control, navigates to the airport, lands the aircraft and shuts down the engines, all without human intervention.
With the G1000 NXi retrofit solution, King Air owners can access features including synthetic vision technology that includes a 3D exocentric view of the SafeTaxi airport environment, emergency descent mode as a standard feature and Garmin’s Electronic Stability and Protection technology. Later this year, Garmin expects to certify Autothrottle and Autoland for King Air aircraft with increased gross weight STCs up to 16,500 pounds.
Source: garmin.com
FlyRight’s King Air C90A Full Flight Simulator Relocates to Brazil
FlyRight Inc., an FAA-approved Part 142 flight training center in North Carolina, and EPA Training Center, Latin America’s largest regional aviation training center, have entered into a strategic agreement. This international collaboration involves relocating FlyRight’s King Air C90A Level-C full flight simulator from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF) to EPA’s advanced aviation training hub in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil.
The relocation of the full flight simulator is scheduled to begin in November 2026. Following transit, installation and rigorous testing, the device is projected to secure Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) certification for pilot training by early 2027. The companies said this deployment will meet regional demand for advanced turboprop simulation, allowing South American aviators to complete localized, motion-based initial and recurrent training without traveling abroad.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with EPA Training Center to maximize the global reach of our simulation assets,” said Andy Bauer, FlyRight’s vice president of sales and marketing. “This strategic shift allows FlyRight to optimize our Concord training capabilities while supporting the rapidly growing corporate and regional aviation sectors in Brazil with a premier, Level-C simulation training tool.”
EPA Training Center will host the King Air C90A alongside its existing state-of-the-art pilot and crew training fleet.
“With the King Air simulator, pilots and operators will have access to highly accurate equipment and instruction in Portuguese, right here in Brazil, without having to travel abroad. This means more safety, lower costs and less time away from operations,” said Flávio Farias, CEO of EPA.
The King Air C90A Level-C simulator features realistic flight dynamics and fully immersive visual systems capable of replicating complex operational scenarios. It offers full-motion capability designed to satisfy strict regulatory standards, ensuring seamless alignment with ANAC Brazil requirements during the upcoming certification window. Source: flyrightinc.com
Skandia King Air Soundproofing Kit Receives ANAC Approval
Aircraft interiors specialist Skandia, Inc., has received final approval from Brazil’s ANAC for its King Air 200/300 soundproofing acoustic kit.
Skandia engineered and tested the kit, which received FAA approval in 2017 and holds EASA and Transport Canada Civil Aviation approvals. The latest certification makes the solution available to most King Air 200 and 300 aircraft in Brazil, expanding access to a quieter, more comfortable cabin experience.
The kit uses advanced Skandia-designed materials to reduce cabin noise and unpleasant sound frequencies throughout all phases of flight. Its straightforward installation and à la carte format allow operators to tailor the system to their aircraft and performance goals.
PHOTO CREDIT: GERARDO VILLA
Skandia’s engineered approach treats both airborne and structure-borne sound through a coordinated system of damping, absorption and barrier materials. The company can also perform an in-flight acoustical analysis to establish an aircraft’s unique sound signature at cruise speed and altitude, then recommend a custom-ized solution designed to maximize noise reduction while minimizing weight. Source: skandiainc.com
Mint Turbines Receives PT6 Engine Overhaul Authorizations
Pratt & Whitney Canada has named Mint Turbines a designated overhaul facility for its PT6A and PT6T engine lines. This expands the portfolio of original equipment manufacturer authorizations for the turbine engine maintenance, repair and overhaul provider based in Stroud, Oklahoma.
For operators, the designation means access to OEM-authorized overhaul services backed by Mint Turbines’ fast decision-making, 24/7 customer support and field service that brings expertise directly to customers when and where they need it most.
“This authorization represents years of investment in our people, our systems and our unwavering commitment to doing things the right way,” said Rob Ruck, president and chief operating officer of M International, the parent company of Mint Turbines. “We are truly honored to become a part of the prestigious designated overhaul facility network. Becoming a Pratt & Whitney Canada DOF reflects the trust we’ve earned from our customers and Pratt & Whitney Canada through decades of supporting operators and demonstrates the standard our team brings to every engine that comes through our facility.”
The Pratt & Whitney Canada designation joins Mint Turbines’ growing portfolio of OEM authorizations, including General Electric, Ozark Aeroworks and Rolls-Royce through sister company Airborne Engines in Canada. Together, these relationships reflect the company’s long-standing investment in technical expertise while providing operators with broader access to certified support across government, commercial and specialty aviation. These authorizations distinguish Mint Turbines among independent MRO providers.
For customers already supported by Mint Turbines, this certification offers access to a range of OEM-sponsored programs and resources, further enhancing the support and services available to them. All services Mint Turbines performs are backed by the same level of oversight, documentation and precision demanded by major airlines and federal agencies, giving customers confidence in OEM-backed work.
For more than 45 years, Mint Turbines has built its reputation by delivering responsive service, technical expertise and lasting customer relationships. This authorization represents another big step in the company’s continued commitment to expanding authorized capabilities while maintaining the personalized service that has defined Mint Turbines since its founding. Source: mintturbines.com