Page 25 - Feb 23

towards the pilot’s feet turned “on” when the valve was pulled and was shut “off” when pushed ... a much more logical choice, in my opinion, than the original “backwards” design.
While the pilot’s left subpanel was undergoing these changes, why not throw in a few more? First, the designers needed to add switches for the ice vanes. Previously, they were moved solely by mechanical push- pull T-handles centered beneath the pilot’s subpanel. But now the primary actuation method was via an electric motor and the T-handles reverted to a back-up system only used if the primary system malfunctioned. The other switches on the pilot’s left subpanel got slightly rearranged and one of these changes saw the ignition and engine start switches being moved down close to the very bottom edge of the panel.
Bud Francis, the 200’s lead test pilot head, was a rather tall gentleman and one time his left knee accidently pushed both left and right start switches up to the “ignition” and “start” position as he adjusted his seat. When the battery switch came on, all onboard were quite surprised when both engines began turning! Oops!
FEBRUARY 2023
King Air 350 pilot’s left subpanel
The outcome of this incident was what we now see in almost all King Airs: The upward travel of the “ignition” and “engine start” switch is the lever lock type. It must be pulled before it can be moved up ... impossible for a knee alone to do so!
To make it easy to pull, all lever lock switches in King Airs contain an obvious “blob” on the end of the lever that the thumb and forefinger can easily grasp. This blob or bulge makes the switches that require the pull, easy to recognize.
The bottom portion of this same, three-position switch – Ignition and Engine Start at the top, Off in the center and Starter Only at the bottom – does not require a pull. It does not have the locking action. From the bottom position it will spring back to the center position when released. Typically this switch would never be used in the bottom position for more than 30 seconds during an engine clearing procedure following a no light off scenario so it would be easy to keep pressing it down for that short length of time.
Quiz time: What other cockpit switch is the lever lock type – with the blob on the end of the lever – but only
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 23