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Pilot Speak: The Silent Killer

Pilot Speak: The Silent Killer

Runny nose, irritated and watery eyes, sneezing and general stuffiness are symptoms we all experience from time to time. These symptoms result from the release of a chemical called histamine from specific cells of our immune systems as a response to an external irritant or allergen. Histamine has many physiologic effects, including dilating blood vessels,…

Ask the Expert: The Cabin Altitude Governor

Ask the Expert: The Cabin Altitude Governor

Did the article’s title cause you a moment of uncertainty? That was my intent: To change the name of a well-known King Air system component so as to turn it into a description of its function. As most of you have likely figured out by now, this article is about the Pressurization Controller … which…

The Air Capital of the World: EXPANSION

The Air Capital of the World: EXPANSION

“Lucky Lindy’s” transatlantic flight in May 1927 electrified the world. In the wake of that epic crossing, Wichita’s airframe builders feasted on fat order books for two years until famine struck Wall Street and drove a stake into the heart of the nation’s economy. As the “Roarin’ Twenties” continued to roar into 1928 and 1929,…

Value Added: Textron Aviation Completes Expanded Certification of U.S. company-owned service centers and Launches 1Call Team

Textron Aviation Inc. announced that it has attained new certifications allowing each U.S. company-owned service center to support the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands. All 14 Textron Aviation-operated service centers in North America have received expanded certifications in the past year, allowing the company to deliver their service across all brands. The company says in…

Value Added: Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion upgrade now certified for Pro Line II-equipped King Air 350

Rockwell Collins has received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for its Pro Line Fusion® avionics upgrade for King Air 350 turboprops originally delivered with Pro Line II avionics. The STC was achieved as part of a collaborative effort with Landmark Aviation Winston-Salem and BHE & Associates, Ltd., and is available now…

Value Added: Advent Aircraft Systems Earns STC for King Air Anti-Skid Braking System

Advent Aircraft Systems, in collaboration with Beech­craft Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., has received FAA approval of its advanced-technology GPS/digital anti-skid braking system (Advent eABS™) for installation on Beechcraft King Air B300 series aircraft. This is the first time that a practical anti-skid system has been available for the King Air platform. The…

Value Added: FAA Certifies Raisbeck Swept Blade Propellers for King Air 350s

Raisbeck Engineering announced the FAA certification of its 4-Blade Swept Propellers for the King Air 350 family. The FAA certification follows a four-year development program, including two-and-a-half years of flight testing of five different designs, including three five-blade versions. Since launching the Swept-Blade program, Raisbeck’s engineers have flight-tested 12 different propeller designs on King Airs.…

Technically: From King Air Communiqué 2016-01 and 2016-02

From King Air Communiqué 2016-01 Issued: January 2016 ATA 00 – Introduction of Block Point 2015 King Air  with New Fusion Avionics C90GTi, B200GT/B200CGT (250), B300/B300C (350i) NOTE: The Block Point 2015 Fusion Equipped Airplanes have a different inspection program. Please study the appropriate manual to become familiar with the differences between the inspection programs.…

Value Added: Icarus Introduces Voice Alert System for Loss of Cabin Pressurization

Icarus Instruments has introduced VAS, Voice Alert System, which warns pilots of a slow loss of cabin pressurization. VAS provides redundancy by verbally annunciating the need for supplemental oxygen through the pilot’s headset. The pilot sets the alert threshold to any altitude between 7,000 and 15,000 feet, normally slightly above the normal maximum cabin altitude.…

Maine Mission – Nonprofit Taps Local Resources to Convert  King Air into Air Ambulance

Maine Mission – Nonprofit Taps Local Resources to Convert King Air into Air Ambulance

LifeFlight of Maine has been providing critical care transport to patients across its state since 1998, taking requests for its services directly from hospitals, physicians and first responders at a scene of an accident. The nonprofit service is jointly owned by Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and Central Maine Healthcare Corporation, with a steering committee from…