Textron Aviation is asking their aircraft operators to “Save the Date” for their Customer Conference located in Wichita, Kansas, and held May 14-16, 2018. Per the company, this year’s conference will include knowledge gained from maintenance and operations seminars, exhibits of cutting-edge services and technologies, interfacing with Textron Aviation leaders and experts and networking with…
Garmin is pleased to announce expanded pilot training opportunities for 2018 to include additional classes throughout the United States. Instructor-led training classes are available for the GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigator series, the G500/G600 glass flight display systems, and all Garmin Integrated Flight Decks. Supplemental eLearning opportunities are also available, and additional training for the G500…
The FAA released Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 18001 which states the following: Date: December 19, 2017 Subject: Textron King Air 90-Series Airplane Boost Pump Failure and CROSSFEED Operational Information Purpose: This SAFO provides safety information to Textron King Air 90-Series airplane owners, operators, and training departments/centers on the possibility of dual engine failure due…
Correction There was an error in the subhead of Ed Phillip’s historical article in the Feb-ruary 2018 issue of King Air, titled “Cabin Jobs.” The headline and subhead should have read, “Cabin Jobs; During the 1920s, airframe manufacturers in Wichita, Kansas, produced a series of airplanes that signaled the gradual demise of open cock-pit flying…
Editor’s Note: With the recent Tax Reform bill signed into law in the United States, and some of it strongly affecting prospective and current aircraft owners, a deeper explanation on what this means to the many U.S. King Air operators was imperative. The Tax Cut & Jobs Act (TCJA) signed by President Donald Trump in…
General aviation has had a great tailwind lately. Fuel prices have been low and stable, insurance premiums continue to be at historic lows, avionics manufacturers are developing new products, and there seems to be enthusiasm to upgrade cockpits in conjunction with ADS-B installations. There also appears to be quite a bit of action for people…
If you are flying alone, or with only non-pilots in the aircraft, you already know that the Pilot-In-Command (PIC) is you. However, what if there are two rated pilots in crew seats? Does it matter if one pilot has more experience, higher ratings, or is giving flight instruction? The answer might be as clear as…
In recent months I have been swamped with buyers considering King Airs for purchase. They have asked me to scrutinize the logbooks to figure out where the aircraft is maintenance-wise. In doing so, I encountered some really frustrating situations that could have been avoided if the log entries were clear, concise and complete. Over the…
FAA Issues InFO on Acceptable Procedures for PED Inflight Fires In late December 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued InFO 17021, which clarified its policy on the use of fire containment products such as kits/bags and acceptable firefighting and containment procedures for inflight fires involving portable electronic devices (PED). Per the InFO, several manufacturers…
If your particular autopilot/flight director system does not have the IAS mode – the mode that adjusts pitch attitude to hold a particular Indicated Airspeed – then this article is not for you. Turn the page; I’ll see you next month. But for those who have this mode, let’s talk a bit about its usefulness.…