As 2022 begins, inflation is a recurring conversation topic. It has become impossible to ignore the increased expenses associated with everyday goods, services and commodities. As aviators, we are mindful of the expenses associated with operating our aircraft. The King Air community, as with all turbine aircraft, has seen an increase in their insurance premiums.…
This month’s article will cause you to put on your thinking caps and consider some King Air systems questions that you probably haven’t seen or heard before. I am going to present six questions to have you ponder for as long as you need, then I will provide my answers … the correct ones, I…
In 1928 pilot Arthur Goebel attempted to transform the Travel Air Type 5000 “Woolaroc” from a mild-mannered monoplane into a high-speed, cross-country racer with near fatal results. In the wake of Charles A. Lindbergh’s epic solo flight from New York to Paris in May 1927, Hawaiian pineapple king James Dole offered a $25,000 first prize…
CenTex Aerospace recently announced the start of the flight test program for its increased gross weight conversion for the Beechcraft King Air 350 and King Air 360 models. The milestone first flight was conducted at the Waco Regional Airport by company president Gregory Barnes and test pilot David Rogers. It was completed as planned and…
WI recently announced that the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has given PMA approval for their LED Ice Light and Right Angle Reading Light for use in a wide variety of aircraft including King Air models (specified below). The company says their LED Ice Light provides 100,000 hours of life compared to only 165 hours of…
With the help of Beechcraft King Air operators, Textron Aviation hopes to form the largest peacetime airlift with at least 200 aircraft flying to Orlando Executive Airport on June 4, 2022. That would mean a Textron Aviation aircraft taking off or landing every two minutes, taking Special Olympics athletes and coaches from their home bases…
In the ongoing turmoil of how the launch of wireless broadband networks would interfere with radar altimeters in commercial and business aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) AIR-21-18 Nov. 2. The SAIB cautions manufacturers and operators of the planned deployment of wireless broadband networks on Dec. 5 and the…
Writing about prop balancing in the October 2021 issue of King Air magazine got me thinking about engine vibration analysis. Some King Air owners and pilots have never heard of it, as it’s not required by the factory and not part of any Phase checklist or special inspection. Unless you are a turbine engine fanatic…
Author’s Note: This is a repeat of my article written for the December 2014 issue of this magazine. It also comprises the chapter starting on Page 307 of The King Air Book – Volume II. Obviously, I think it is important enough to review once more. Rarely do we pilots need to apply rapid and…
During 1928-1929, the Travel Air Company’s Walter H. Beech had earned national acclaim for corporate leadership and technical innovation that further increased the reputation of Wichita, Kansas, as the “Air Capital of the World.” By 1928 it had become obvious to Walter Beech that the company he led was in need of a new product…