When you think about what a Green Beret does in his free time, you likely don’t envision him sewing in his garage. But that’s exactly where you’d find Ross Johnson in the evenings when he was on active duty as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. While serving three tours in Afghanistan, Johnson…
Streamlined Process for Part 91 Ops LOA
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) recently published that Part 91 operators obtaining Letters of Authorization (LOAs) from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) will have an easier process of doing so, as soon as early 2022. The application process has been inconsistent among FAA offices resulting in “inefficient use of time and resources for both…
Losing an Engine on Takeoff
There’s not going to be anything new in this article. Every pilot who earned his or her multi-engine rating has undergone training in how to handle one-engine-inoperative (OEI) situations whenever they may occur. Yet, in recent years King Airs seem to have been involved in a rash of very serious, usually fatal, accidents during takeoff.…
“Popper” Beech Takes Control (Part One)
In only five years a Tennessee farm boy transformed Wichita’s Travel Air Manufacturing Company from humble beginnings into one of America’s leading builders of private, business and commercial airplanes. Late October 1926 the Travel Air Manufacturing Company lost its chief engineer, Lloyd Carlton Stearman, who had resigned to start his own company in California. Worse…
FAA Grants TSO Approval on AvFab STOWAWAY Medical Stretcher
Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) recently announced they have received Technical Standard Orders (TSO) approval for the installation of their multi-airframe STOWAWAY medical stretcher for use in all Beechcraft King Air models. Several models of STOWAWAY are available, including one version that adjusts to fit in all four aircraft approved for the installation. – besides the King…
Certification Coming Soon for BLR products on King Air E90, early C90s and the 100
BLR Aerospace recently announced that their winglet system for the King Air E90 and early C90 fleets, as well as the 5-bladed Whisper Prop® system for the King Air 100, are all scheduled to be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified by the end of 2021. Increasing demand has created limited availability for both popular upgrades…
Textron Aviation expands King Air service capabilities in Germany
Textron Aviation recently announced additional investments in its European service network, with an expansion of its Stuttgart line station facility becoming a satellite service center. The company is expanding its factory-direct service options at Stuttgart Airport delivering shorter downtime and increased flexibility to its customers with twice the amount of hangar space and the expert…
Garmin offering new pilot training opportunities
Garmin® International, Inc. is pleased to announce new training opportunities that will benefit novice and seasoned pilots alike. Through multiple free videos, the Aviation Risk Management series will provide pilots with the opportunity to review common safety hazards and traditional risk mitigation strategies. Pilots will also learn how the features and capabilities on Garmin avionics, such…
A Missed Opportunity
Tom Clements’ article in the July issue titled, “Practice Demonstration of VMCA” was a missed opportunity to clarify that just because a manufacturer has an Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) “approved procedure” doesn’t mean it is always a good idea to follow same. The procedure as presented in the article and AFM is in conflict with…
Honoring Aviation Innovator James Raisbeck Sept. 29, 1936 – Aug. 31, 2021
After working several years at Beech Aircraft, I had heard the Raisbeck name in relation to the King Air, but I didn’t realize the impact that James Raisbeck had on the ever-popular turboprop until I became editor of the King Air magazine. I interviewed James shortly after the magazine was launched in 2007. That conversation…