In the early days of the King Air and PT6 engines, back in the ’60s and early ’70s, there was no such thing as chip detectors. The low spot near the bottom of the reduction gearbox (RGB) at the front of the engine had a drain plug only. The plug was not fitted with any…
SmartSky, provider of the most advanced inflight air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity for business aviation, announced the issuance of an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for SmartSky LITE on the King Air 350i. The certificate covers installation of the award-winning inflight Wi-Fi system for King Air models B200, B200C, B200GT, 250, 250C, 250EP, 260, 260C, 300, 350,…
Textron Aviation Inc. announced recently that it is expanding its relationship with longtime channel partner Gama Aviation. Newly designated as an Authorized Sales Representative (ASR) for Textron Aviation Special Missions aircraft in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Gama Aviation will now feature special missions variants of the entire portfolio of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft. This…
Marsh Brothers Aviation (MBA), a leading manufacturer of advanced polymer seal and bearing solutions for the aviation industry, has received Transport Canada approval for its innovative new King Air Flap Roller Bearing. The revolutionary new product – the first polymer bearing solution Marsh Brothers Aviation has developed for commercial aircraft – solves a critical maintenance…
Conidia Bioscience has introduced a test kit that will rapidly detect microbial contamination in jet fuel. The Fuelstat One test can be used throughout the entire fuel supply chain, from storage terminal to wing tank, offering a comprehensive overview of the fuel’s quality. The simple, rapid lateral flow test can be conducted on free water or…
As pilots, we all share a common interest in modern transport. Often, we fly just for fun, feeding our passion to be airborne. However, King Air category aircraft are primarily a means of rapid transport. They are magic carpets that, in a matter of hours, cover distances that once took weeks, months or even a…
Per the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule expanding safety management systems (SMS) to Part 135 on-demand operators, certain Part 21 certificate holders and 91.147 air tour operations may pose challenges to business aircraft operators as they work to adapt the rule’s requirements to their specific operations. The 160-page…
It’s a beautiful day to fly “CAVU” over the desert Southwest. As a diligent pilot, you keep your eye on the map for the nearest airport should there be an emergency. You glance out the side window to take in the beauty of the Grand Canyon when suddenly you hear a “BANG” and a rush…
I’ve been 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? I’ve had a similar concern for the 300-series. I plan to…
In the late 1950s, the U.S. Army’s inventory of the versatile L-23/U-8 Seminole series of light military transports ended with introduction of the L-23F – the versatile Beechcraft that set a new standard for fixed-wing Army aviation. Thirteen years after the end of the bloodiest conflict on earth known as World War II, Americans were…