Aftermarket manufacturer CenTex Aerospace announced an addition to their line of STC-approved increased gross weight conversions called the Halo 350. With final approval expected December 2017, this new conversion for the Beechcraft King Air 350 increases the maximum takeoff weight from 15,000 to 15,950 pounds. King Air 350 operators will be able to load an…
Value Added: MT-Propeller 5-blade Receives Acceptance from INAC Venezuela for Beech King Air 350
MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH has received the Letter of Acceptance of the FAA STC #SA03525NY for the next generation 5-blade scimitar composite propeller on the Beech King Air 300/350 Series powered by the P&WC PT6A-60A engines. The installation is also certified by EASA, Transport Canada and ANAC Brazil. The new 5-blade MT-Propellers provide a performance improvement…
Value Added: Nextant Aerospace Completes Certification Testing on G90XT
Nextant Aerospace has completed certification trials for the King Air G90XT’s new single-lever engine control system, which should lead to FAA certification – expected in November with EASA accreditation following soon after. The system allows each engine to be controlled with one lever, leaving pitch control to the Fadec. The G90XT also offers a 20-knot…
Value Added: Garmin Announces New Connext Packages Offering Expanded Value and Increased Flexibility for Customers
Garmin International, Inc. recently announced expanded Connext weather and data service packages that provide additional cost-effective pricing tiers offering all-inclusive rate plans designed to suit operational needs for global weather and connectivity. Aircraft equipped with the GSR 56 satellite datalink transceiver and compatible avionics can take advantage of these new rate plans starting as low…
Value Added: Raisbeck Engineering to Acquire Butterfield Industries
Last month Raisbeck Engineering Inc. announced its decision to sign a definitive acquisition agreement with Butterfield Industries for all of its products and STCs. The deal was anticipated to close on or before October 31, 2017. Butterfield Industries produces FAA approved replacement parts for numerous King Air models. Key products include: PMA Direct Replacement Floorboards,…
Technically
Service Letter MTL-27-01: Flight Controls – Control Column Master Link Aileron Interconnect Chain Inspection Issued: September 20, 2017 Effectivity: King Air Models – C90GTi, Serial Numbers LJ-2100 through LJ-2135; B200GT, Serial Numbers BY-203 through BY-277; B200, Serial Numbers BB-2020 through BB-2021; B200C, Serial Number BL-171; B200CGT, Serial Number BZ-1; B300C, Serial Numbers FM-56 through FM-69;…
Fast as Lightning
Texas businessman quickly ramps up use of bizav Mark Hicks probably isn’t the first business owner to credit road construction with pushing him into aircraft ownership but he might be one of the fastest at ramping up his involvement in business aviation. Within four years, the owner of Hicks Lightning Protection in Dallas went from…
Maintenance Tip: Brakes – OEM versus STC
All King Airs come out of the factory with BFGoodrich brakes, and most come with a multi-disc brake assembly. The only exceptions were the F90s and the 100s (straight A and B models) with standard gear, which came with a single-disc brake assembly by BFGoodrich (BFG). The multi-disc brakes by BFG have excellent stopping capability, but…
Aviation Issues: What’s Happening in Aviation
ATC Proposal May be Headed to a Vote Soon The latest hearsay regarding the ATC Proposal is that a vote may soon be on the Senate floor – the “first few weeks of October,” but we’ve heard many predictions before. Not only are the general aviation groups still voicing their opposition, but now there are…
Ask the Expert: Propeller Restraints – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
As you have experienced, the propeller on the PT6A engine series turns very freely. Even a child using a little finger can spin it quite easily in the hangar or on the ramp due to the fact the PT6 is a “free turbine” engine in which the propeller shaft is not physically connected to the…