NextGen, the FAA’s initiative to transform Air Traffic Control (ATC) from a ground-based radar tracking system to an aircraft-based, satellite positioned tracking system, has driven the FAA mandate that aircraft operating in airspace that now requires a Mode C transponder must be equipped with at least ADS-B Out by January 1, 2020. ADS-B (Automatic Dependent…
King Air magazine contributor Tom Clements announced the first King Air Gathering (KAG) in the January 2017 issue of this magazine, as well as the King Air Academy sending out informational flyers to King Air owners and operators. The attendee list had been limited to 50 King Air owners/operators, so that the group would be…
For many years, I maintained a B200 owned by a family business that had used the same pilot for ages. He was ex-airline and a decent stick, but every time he picked up the King Air after maintenance, he pulled the door shut, started the engines, and took off – he didn’t even check the…
Walk down a ramp where numerous King Airs are parked and look closely at their propeller blades. I wager that you will see quite a variety of conditions. Some will look almost new, whereas others will be badly sandblasted. It may be that the reason for the difference is reasonable and unavoidable. Namely, one airplane…
Beech Aircraft Corporation’s Model 76 “Duchess” and the Model 77 “Skipper” were welcome additions to the company’s product line, but the economic recession of 1981 clipped their wings During the three-day Beechcraft International Sales Roundup held in November 1975, two proposed aircraft were revealed to more than 800 Masters of Aircraft Salesmanship attending the event.…
Textron Aviation Inc. has rolled out a new web-based customer portal, which allows customers to seamlessly manage their aircraft maintenance and provides increased transparency and efficient communication when aircraft service is required. The Customer Portal allows individual owners or directors of maintenance to track an aircraft through its entire maintenance cycle and is designed to…
Raisbeck Engineering is pleased to announce the addition of Hampton Aviation as an authorized dealer to its worldwide dealer network. Located in the hills of western Arkansas, Hampton Aviation specializes in heavy structural repair, inspections and modifications for all King Air models. Since 1965, Hampton Aviation has maintained a singular focus: taking care of their…
Jeppesen and ForeFlight have announced that the they have entered into in a long-term strategic alliance to combine their industry-leading capabilities and worldwide content, which they say allows them to “bring advances in capability to customers globally that neither company could accomplish on its own.” The alliance focuses initially in two areas. First, beginning this…
Astronics Max-Viz has certified its 2300 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to the DO-160G standard. Blending infrared and visible light sensors, the Max-Viz 2300 EVS displays real-time heat sources along with LED airport lighting to make it safer for pilots to land in dark, challenging conditions. The company says that many airports are converting over to…
Issued: April 2017 ATA 28 – Pressure Build-Up in the Fuel Tanks All Flight crews learn very quickly in their flying careers not to open the fuel caps on the King Air when the fuel tanks are full; doing so risks you spending the rest of the day with fuel soaked clothes and the accompanying…