Blog : Value Added

Textron Aviation Enhances King Airs with Lee Aerospace’s CoolView Windows

Textron Aviation Enhances King Airs with Lee Aerospace’s CoolView Windows

Textron Aviation recently announced a noteworthy upgrade for its Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360 turboprops with the introduction of new CoolView® windows to minimize heat transfer into the cabin on the ramp and offer an unprecedented level of passenger comfort and cabin cooling.  According to Lee Aerospace, the manufacturer of the windows, independent testing…

Garmin’s PlaneSync Now Available for Retrofit Installs

Garmin has announced that PlaneSync™ is now available for retrofit installations to bring new levels of connectivity and convenience to aircraft owners. PlaneSync automatically updates1 avionics databases, logs flight and engine data and allows aircraft owners and operators to remotely check fuel and systems status via the Garmin Pilot™ app2.  Using a 4G LTE cellular…

Brunswick Aviation Services Joins SmartSky Installation Partner Network

SmartSky Networks®, the innovative air-to-ground inflight connectivity provider, announced Brunswick Aviation Services as a new sales and installation partner for its next-generation hardware. The Pennsylvania-based MRO now offers SmartSky to aircraft owners, operators and fleets looking to upgrade from legacy ATG systems, complement their SATCOM systems or add connectivity to their aircraft.  An FAA Part…

Revisiting Starter Generators

Revisiting Starter Generators

If you hit the starter switch in your King Air and nothing happens, or if you get a “gen out” light while in flight, starter generators will become top of mind. Generally speaking though, starter generators are not too problematic in most King Airs. The notable exception is the “Infamous -001” found in King Air…

Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle to become retrofit installations in select King Air aircraft

Garmin has announced imminent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to bring Garmin Autoland and Garmin Autothrottle to the retrofit market, starting with select G1000® NXi-equipped King Air 200 series aircraft, and soon after, select King Air 300 series.  The certification marks the first time Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle have been offered as a retrofit solution,…

McCauley Achieves FAA Certification for B300 High-performance Propeller

McCauley Propeller Systems recently announced that its newest C780 propeller for the Beechcraft King Air B300 series, featuring four aluminum swept blades and a 105-inch diameter, has successfully achieved certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new high-performance propeller offers King Air B300 operators additional payload, increased takeoff and climb performance, reduced noise in…

Banyan Air Service Joins SmartSky’s Network of Installation Partners

SmartSky Networks, the innovative air-to-ground inflight connectivity provider, announced Banyan Air Service as a new sales and installation partner. The Florida-based full-service Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operation is now offering services to install and upgrade private jets and turboprop aircraft to the fastest and most reliable connectivity solution in operation today. “We are proud…

Bluetail Introduces Mach 2 Search Bluetail, the leading Software as a Service (SaaS) aircraft records platform for business aviation, has introduced its second-generation Bluetail® MACH 2 Search feature.  “When we introduced our MACH Search engine in 2021, it set the standard as the first machine learning search engine purpose-built to meet the specific needs of…

Halo 350 Conversion Available for King Air 350 and 360 Models

CenTex Aerospace announced the availability of the Halo 350 increased gross weight conversion for the Beechcraft King Air 350 and King Air 360. The Halo 350 conversion increases the maximum takeoff weight limit from 15,000 to 15,950 lbs. Aircraft empty weight is increased only 4 lbs., which equates to an increase in payload or fuel of 946…

Raisbeck/Hartzell Five Blade Propellers Receive STC Approval for Heavyweight King Air 300, 350 and 360

Raisbeck Engineering recently announced it has received FAA STC approval for the installation of Raisbeck/Hartzell five blade swept turboprop propellers on heavyweight (16,500 lb.) King Air 300, 350 and 360 series aircraft. The Raisbeck/Hartzell five blade swept turboprop propellers offer improved aircraft performance. This includes increased thrust and cruise speeds, decreased noise levels, and improved…