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of a 20-hour or 50-hour Part 141-approved course, which are called the “High Performance Aircraft 20- Hour Course” and “High Performance Aircraft 50-Hour Course,” respectively at UND. The C90GTi aircraft are the only aircraft flown in the classes.
Students from Saudi Arabia also enroll in the program due to one of the country’s regional operators (Saudi Aramco) requiring its students to satisfactorily complete the 20-hour course.
UND chose the King Air platform, Pineo says, because it was determined to be the best aircraft to meet international course requirements. “The decision was based on acquisition cost, operating cost, reliability and other factors,” he says.
UND Aerospace has found that its flight instructors especially benefit from having flight time in King Airs. Having learned in the aircraft themselves, they have historically been able to quickly transition to instruction in the model and seamlessly instruct rising turboprop pilots. Many graduates stay on at UND full- time, instructing in the twin turboprop and the school’s hundred plus other aircraft. Other graduates find
themselves in King Airs, whether it be in medevac or corporate operations.
While having a King Air in an aviation program is a rarity of sorts, a couple of schools have sought to replicate the aircraft’s operations with flight training devices. Among the programs with these devices are Arizona State University (ELITE Simulation Solutions King Air B200 iGATE 602 model) and Indiana State University (Precision Flight Controls Modular Flight Deck model configured to a King Air 200).
Whether it be in the air or a replicated environment, the Beechcraft King Air is an important aircraft to the nation’s aviation programs and helps to prepare students for a litany of flying careers after graduation. KA
Grant Boyd is a private pilot with seven years of experience in general aviation business from marketing to customer service. He has written more than 85 articles for aviation publications and enjoys learning about aircraft/pilots with unique missions. Grant can be reached at grantboyd2015@gmail.com.
14 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
APRIL 2021