Loaders rolling dynamite kegs into a ski-equipped Beechcraft S18A-172, registered CF-BGY, in Hudson, Canada (located 166 miles northwest of Lake Superior) recognized the “twin-tailed wonder” as the first of its type working commercially beyond the U.S.-Canada border. No one on that frigid January day in 1938 could have known that lessons learned would one day…
During one of the past King Air Gatherings, I was asked about engine ice vane usage on the ground. Specifically, a concern was expressed about a temperature restriction stated in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for the model 200-series. Is a limit being violated at times when ice vanes are being used? A follow-up question…
Textron Aviation recently announced it has been awarded the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) contract by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through a full and open competition. The contract award is for up to 64 special mission King Air 260 aircraft, which will be known as the T-54A. The initial Lot I award will procure 10…
The very first King Air Gathering (KAG) was held in April 2017 after a few King Air enthusiasts (King Air Expert Tom Clements included) discussed that it may be time to plan a “gathering” of King Air owners/pilots with the following goals guiding them: 1) get a group of like-minded owner-pilots together to share information…
The current aircraft market is enough to make your head spin! Is it getting better or is it getting worse? Are inventory levels actually going up or is it just a bunch of junk listed on Controller.com? What will I pay? Am I able to complete a prebuy inspection? Is it still a seller’s market?…
As we approached the summit of the High Peaks Trail, menacing Turkey Vultures circled overhead. Their inky black feathers and scarlet heads contrasted sharply against the pale blue sky as they effortlessly soared over the cliffs surrounding us. Riding thermals between and around the craggy spires, then crossing the valleys again to repeat each circuit,…
Registration is now open for King Air Gathering 2023 being held at the World Golf Village (WGV) in St. Augustine, Florida, Wednesday, April 12 through Friday, April 14. It is expected to be a sold-out event, so register soon! After flying into Jacksonville Executive (Craig) Airport (KCRG) in Jacksonville, complimentary transportation will take attendees to…
The polarized windows in a King Air were designed to block sunlight for passengers sitting on the sunny side of the cabin. They are the King Air’s answer to that little sliding shade found on airliners and elsewhere, and they do the trick nicely, but with one major drawback: They are prone to burning out…
When I taught King Air ground school at Beech Aircraft Corporation back in the 1970s a name we used often was “lever lock switch.” In preparation for this article, I went to my dictionary to see if this word actually existed and was not too surprised to find that it did not. Instead, what I…
The Model A17F and A17FS were like no other Beechcrafts ever built – powerful, brutish machines whose high performance was nothing short of spectacular for their time. Despite America’s bleak economic situation, Walter Beech and his chief engineer, Ted Wells, held tenaciously to the belief that there was a small, but profitable market for a…