While King Airs are flown at several colleges across the country in faculty and staff transport roles, there are several aviation programs that offer training in some model of twin turboprop to their students. Among the short list of schools operating these aircraft are the University of Oklahoma and the University of North Dakota, both…
When you reach max power during takeoff, you’ve got your eye on the ITT and torque. If ITT is high but torque is lagging, you might worry that a hot section problem has developed in the engine. Before leaping to that conclusion, however, consider the compressor bleed valve(s). All PT6 engines have at least one…
Reversing propellers made their appearance on the King Air A90 that ushered in the 1966 model year. The Straight 90 model of 1964 and 1965 utilized non-reversing propellers similar to those that were installed on the Lycoming-powered Queen Airs being concurrently produced. As one would expect, reversing propellers were a big hit and although they…
As the decade of the 1960s unfolded, business aviation in America was poised to make a major transition from piston-powered to turbine-powered airplanes. Beech Aircraft Corporation would lead that transition by introducing the Model 65-90 – the first King Air. In 1961 Olive Ann Beech listened intently to her loyal corps of vice presidents and…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Certification of the newly upgraded Beechcraft twin turboprop King Air 260. Manufacturer Textron Aviation says the King Air 260 combines the platform’s rich history of rugged reliability and versatility with state-of-the-art upgrades and next-generation capability, offering a greater ease of flying. The upgraded cockpit features the Innovative Solutions…
Textron Aviation announced FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the new Beechcraft King Air Ground Cooling aftermarket upgrade for the Beechcraft King Air 200 and 300 series turboprops. The Ground Cooling system enables King Air operators to cool the cabin before crew and passengers board, by plugging in a Ground Power Unit (GPU) eliminating…
West Star Aviation has announced the recertification for both their East Alton, Illinois, (ALN) and Houston, Texas, (CXO) facilities as Mexican AFAC Repair Stations. This replaces the DGAC Certificate originally issued and provides safety and certification continuity between the FAA and Mexican aviation authorities. West Star’s Grand Junction, Colorado, (GJT) facility was originally certified from…
Stevens Aerospace announces that all four of the company’s MRO facilities have been designated as authorized installation centers for the highly regarded PRIZM LED Cabin Lighting systems. The LED lights last 10 to 15 times longer than the more expensive florescent tubes which provides a considerably less cost of ownership. PRIZM’s customizable full-color LED spectrum…
For the last few years, I have had the honor of being asked to write an article about the King Air market, and each February I dutifully sit down and peck the keys, but by the time my article makes it to print, something crazy happens! Two years ago, I wrote about the stability of…
If you are not currently flying a member of the 200-series family, up to serial number BB-1459, then this article is not for you. You won’t hurt my feelings if you immediately jump to the next article in this magazine. But since this quite important topic applies to well over 1,000 airplanes, I think it…