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Teacher’s Pet – the Model 45

Teacher’s Pet – the Model 45

In 1948, senior management at Beech Aircraft Corporation saw the need for a new military trainer to equip postwar air forces. Their solution was the “Mentor” that would become one of the most popular Beechcrafts ever built.  When World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Japan in September 1945, the United States Army…

Technical PIREP Front Nose Steering

Editor’s Note: This information was originally released by the King Air Academy in 2017 and received a large response from the receiving audience, many finding their retaining clip compromised. We thought it would be beneficial to publish it again for those who may not have seen the first transmission. It is paraphrased below. This is…

Bluetail Introduces Mach 2 Search Bluetail, the leading Software as a Service (SaaS) aircraft records platform for business aviation, has introduced its second-generation Bluetail® MACH 2 Search feature.  “When we introduced our MACH Search engine in 2021, it set the standard as the first machine learning search engine purpose-built to meet the specific needs of…

Ice Vanes: How Important Are They?

One of the ongoing debates among King Air pilots has to do with the necessity to use the engine anti-ice system as the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) directs: “Before visible moisture is encountered at +5°C and below, or at night when freedom from visible moisture is not assured at +5°C and below.” Depending upon your…

The Wing AD – Who, What and Where

I’ve been getting a few calls lately about “the wing AD.” King Air owners want to know: Do I have to do it? And if so, where should I go? They are referring to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) 91-12-10, which applies only to certain King Air B200s and 300 models that…

Oshkosh Diversions: Three itineraries to consider  during the annual EAA AirVenture

Oshkosh Diversions: Three itineraries to consider during the annual EAA AirVenture

If you’re planning to fly to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh – which runs July 24-30 this year –  we’ve rounded up three suggestions of destinations to explore on your way to or from Wisconsin. Whatever direction you’re traveling, consider diverting to one of these worthy stops. Minneapolis, Minnesota Visitors come to the largest city in a…

The Hum of the Heartland

The Hum of the Heartland

In the five years since its doors have been open to the public, The Outsiders House Museum has brought fans of “The Outsiders” from across the globe to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to explore where the 1967 book was written and where the 1983 movie was filmed. Grammy-nominated recording artist Danny Boy O’Connor re-located from Los Angeles…

King Air Hall of Fame: 2023 Inductees

he 2023 King Air Hall of Fame inductees were announced at the King Air Gathering.  Introduced at the 2022 Gathering, this award was long overdue to honor people – past and present – instrumental to building the Beechcraft King Air community. Hall of Fame recipients must meet one of two of the following selection criteria:…

King Air Gathering IN REVIEW

The King Air Gathering (KAG) held April 12-14 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, was considered a success by its new coordinators, King Air Nation. Attendance and sponsorship numbers were up from last year with 132 King Air owners/operators joining the Gathering, along with 31 companions. There were some updates to the…