Years ago, I was conducting recurrent King Air 200 training with the two experienced and professional pilots of a Midwest corporation. As part of their takeoff briefing, they used the phrase, “We’ll use big numbers.” “What did you say?” I asked. “What does that mean?” Their explanation made a lot of sense to me then,…
There you are, just starting to roll from the “hold short” line onto the active runway to begin the takeoff for which you have just been cleared. Are you ready for takeoff? “Of course I am, Tom! I’ve completed the proper checklists and given a briefing to myself since I am flying single pilot today.…
A frustrated King Air instructor-pilot and friend asked: Why do so many pilots think that rudder pedal and rudder trim usage are unnecessary after they turn on the yaw damper? I have observed pilots, even experienced ones that fly an entire King Air flight without ever making a rudder trim adjustment. That’s crazy! Don’t they…
It won’t be long before Old Man Winter is holding much of the country in his icy grasp, so it’s an appropriate time to review how to warm up the cabin most effectively after engine start. Operators of the King Air model 90, A90 and B90 have only two choices: Either select auto or manual…
I’ve lost two old friends in the last few months. Gary Banker, the wonderful gentleman for whom I have flown and managed his King Air since May 2006 passed on in February and now my other “old friend,” Gary’s 1988 King Air C90A that I managed and flew. Gary’s family – daughter-in-law and grandsons –…
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…
One of the ongoing debates among King Air pilots has to do with the necessity to use the engine anti-ice system as the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) directs: “Before visible moisture is encountered at +5°C and below, or at night when freedom from visible moisture is not assured at +5°C and below.” Depending upon your…
It is my strong belief that few pilots (rightly so!) use the same checklist for all of their flight operations in a particular aircraft. Even if they always open the same manufacturer’s current checklist, I believe the way it is used causes it to become a rather different set of procedures. Here are a couple…
During one of the past King Air Gatherings, I was asked about engine ice vane usage on the ground. Specifically, a concern was expressed about a temperature restriction stated in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for the model 200-series. Is a limit being violated at times when ice vanes are being used? A follow-up question…
When I taught King Air ground school at Beech Aircraft Corporation back in the 1970s a name we used often was “lever lock switch.” In preparation for this article, I went to my dictionary to see if this word actually existed and was not too surprised to find that it did not. Instead, what I…