Blog : article

The Autopilot’s Aerial Tour Mode

The Autopilot’s Aerial Tour Mode

Just yesterday (I am writing this in mid-February 2020), I had the great pleasure of flying a “Flightseeing” tour of northern Arizona in Ron McAlister’s lovely 1984 B200 King Air. I have done this numerous times over the years in a multitude of airplanes, giving out-of-state visitors an aerial tour of our beautiful state, and…

Year of the Swallow

Year of the Swallow

A century ago, the Laird Swallow launched Wichita, Kansas, on its way to becoming the “Air Capital of the World.” In 1920 a number of significant events occurred: the Treaty of Versailles took effect, officially ending World War I; the 19th Amendment became law, giving women the right to vote and Adolf Hitler organized the…

Constant Aviation Treating Aircraft with MicroShield 360 at over 150 Airports

Constant Aviation says it is working around the clock to treat business and private aircraft with MicroShield 360, an FDA-approved* antimicrobial shield. Application crews are now present at more than 150 airports nationwide, and technicians have streamlined the process to less than two hours even on large-cabin aircraft. “We recognize the urgency operators have to treat their…

Elliott Aviation Mobile Maintenance Capabilities to Include Inspections

Due to recent uncertain events with COVID-19, Elliott Aviation has announced its mobile maintenance capabilities are available for aircraft inspections and due items. The company’s mobile maintenance teams are available for maintenance events for the King Air, as well as the Beechjet/Hawker 400XP, Challenger, Citation, Hawker, Phenom, Premier and TBM aircraft. “We understand how challenging…

Technically…

Service Bulletin MTB-57-01: Wings – Inspect the Aft Upper and Lower Wing Bolts for Correct Washer and Replace if Needed Date: March 5, 2020 Effectivity: King Air 90 (applicable variants within defined LJ serial number range), LJ-2055 through LJ-2129; Super King Air 200/B200, serial numbers BB-2019 through BB-2021; Super King Air 200C/B200C, serial number BL-171;…

The King Air Market: More Complicated Than Ever – by Chip McClure

The King Air Market: More Complicated Than Ever – by Chip McClure

It’s been a full year since I last wrote an article for this magazine about the market for King Airs. At that time, I was confident in my assertions and the market in general. In fact, the market had been as stable as I had seen it … almost predictable. We’re all accustomed to ever…

Bucket Lists, Part III: Be a Box Checker!

Bucket Lists, Part III: Be a Box Checker!

Author’s Note: The following is the third installment in a series of articles which will resonate most with King Air corporate and charter pilots, but can apply to the owner/pilot, as well. After all, making the most of layovers and planned or unplanned travel downtime is a goal any pilot can pursue. If you have…

Recent AIM Revisions Published and Recommendations Given to Streamline LOA for Part 91 Operators

FAA Publishes AIM Revisions The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is encouraging pilots to review the recent published revisions to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The revisions include clarifications of “approach category” and its application in determining the appropriate straight-in or circling minima on an instrument approach. Previous AIM language required pilots to use the…

Windmilling in  Reverse

Windmilling in Reverse

There is more than one meaning or situation that can be addressed by the term “Windmilling in Reverse” and I hope to cover all of them in this article. First, why would the feathered propeller of a PT6 engine that has been shut down in flight rotate backward – turn counterclockwise (CCW) as viewed from…

Cessna: The Postwar Years – Part One

Cessna: The Postwar Years – Part One

During the mid-1940s the Cessna Aircraft Company worked overtime to meet soaring demand for modern, all-metal monoplanes. In August 1945, after more than five years of vicious fighting, the worst war the world had ever experienced was finally over. Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, which he boasted would last a thousand years, was gone after only…