Page 22 - April 25

Gathering in the Desert
Highlights from the eighth King Air Gathering
by MeLinda Schnyder
together approximately 240 attendees
Co-sponsors King Air Nation and BLR brought
representing pilots, owners, mechanics and
42 sponsoring companies for the 2025 King
Air Gathering from March 19-21 in Phoenix, Arizona.
After a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, the
next two days brought opportunities to connect, learn
and celebrate at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and
nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX).
Textron Aviation started Thursday with a session that
included Peter Basile providing an air safety incident
review of 2024 specific to King Airs and Dan Lyon, vice
president of Aftermarket Sales, sharing product and
service updates and reporting that the company delivered
44 King Air 260 and 360 aircraft combined in 2024.
The agenda included a vendor marketplace, companion
activities, presentations from industry experts and an
inspirational keynote speech by Capt. Brian Udell, who
survived an ejection at nearly 800 mph from an F-15E
fighter aircraft. During FBO Day at Cutter PHX, there
were on-aircraft sessions and plenty of time to explore
13 King Airs on display.
KAG wrapped up on Friday night with King Air Hall
of Fame inductions, dinner and a live auction. If you
didn’t attend, peruse the next few pages for highlights
from this year’s gathering and see page 16 to read about
this year’s induction class.
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­ KING AIR MAGAZINE APRIL 2025