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runway as you line up. Second, position the airplane with the nose wheel straight but with the entire fuselage aimed about 10 degrees to the right. Third, add as much power as you can – in the C90A, that is usually full power – before releasing the strongly-held brakes. All the factors you have learned about will make the airplane want to turn left. By aiming slightly to the right, the airplane will straighten itself out and align with the runway as brakes are released. If this is not done, then some right brake will need to be applied to keep the airplane straight initially. Of course, any brake usage increases the ground roll distance.
Are we – or any other similar King Air 90 – 100% safe while using Catalina’s runway? Is anything ever 100% safe?! Probably not. But I believe that our operation in and out of Catalina is indeed safe. Landing is absolutely no sweat when done using
the proper short field technique. As for takeoff, using the published numbers, our Accelerate-Stop distance leaves no room for error. On the other hand, our Accelerate- Go distance is a non-consideration. Remember, we can descend 1,500 feet past the end of the runway without hitting anything! With this situation, our adherence to the published Decision Speed of 95 knots, in this model, is critical. When we reach 95, we are going, not stopping. On the other hand, on our 10,000-plus-feet runways at KIWA, my “Go” decision usually comes when I think it is easier to keep flying than to pull the power and land straight ahead. (This decision always comes no later than about 50 feet AGL.)
Ever since the 1958 hit by the Four Preps of “26 Miles Across the Sea” I have been intrigued by Catalina Island. There is a lot of
fascinating history to learn there and beautiful scenery to see. Good restaurants, too. I look forward to increasing my number of trips with Gary and his friends in the months to come. Try it; you’ll like it! KA
King Air expert Tom Clements has been flying and instructing in King Airs for over 50 years and is the author of “The King Air Book” and “The King Air Book II.” He is a Gold Seal CFI and has over 23,000 total hours with more than 15,000 in King Airs. For information on ordering his books, contact Tom direct at twcaz@msn.com. Tom is actively mentoring the instructors at King Air Academy in Phoenix.
If you have a question you’d like Tom to answer, please send it to Editor Kim Blonigen at editor@blonigen.net.
JULY 2022
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 21