Page 6 - April 25

how little they fly. When average use
fluctuates between 17 and 32 hours/
month (approximately), you have
to keep an eye on that 24-month
deadline and plan how to get all four
phases done.
Here’s an example with a King Air
averaging 22 hours/month: They do
a Phase 1 and fly 200 hours over the
next nine months. They do a Phase
2 and fly another 200 hours over
another nine months. Now they are
18 months into the 24-month period.
There are six months left and phases
3 and 4 still need to be completed.
They can do phase 3 now and put it
down again after six months for the
phase 4; or they can do the phase 3
plus the phase 4 right then and not
have to put the aircraft down for
another 200 hours. The 24-month
parameter resets from that point.
Either choice is correct but the latter
saves downtime.
Why can’t I do a phase 1-4
every other year?
You can! Beech calls it the biennial
inspection program.
There are three requirements to
be eligible for this program:
First, are you flying fewer than
200 hours in a 24-month period?
That’s an average of 8.5 hours per
month or less. This program is for
low-use King Airs.
The second requirement is an
interim inspection at the 12-month
mark in alternate years between
the biennial phase 1-4. There’s a
checklist for it in the maintenance
manual. Essentially, it’s a thorough
operational check on the aircraft.
Of course, any discrepancies noted
must be remedied.
The third requirement is a
declaration in your logbooks that the
aircraft is on the biennial inspection
program. You can’t go two years
without a phase and then suddenly
decide you are doing the biennial
program.
I don’t come across many King
Airs on the biennial program, but
when I do they are usually in bad
shape. Often, the interim inspection
hasn’t been done or if it has, it’s been
pencil-whipped. Special inspections
are ignored or glossed over. Too
many owners think it’s a Phase
1-4 every other year and little else.
Following the biennial program
correctly with interim inspections,
special inspections, etc. doesn’t save
much money in the long run. I’m
not a fan.
I’ve had many low-usage custom-
ers who could qualify for the bien-
nial program, but they chose the
alternate phase inspection program
(two phases each year, completing
all four phases in 24 months). When
they go to fly their King Air, they
want to have confidence in it. They
prefer an airplane that is looked at
regularly and thoroughly. The less
they fly, the more they want this
assurance.
Whatever inspection program
you use should be declared in your
logbooks.
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­ KING AIR MAGAZINE APRIL 2025