Page 25 - March 25

“I believe a power rollback is 10
times more likely to happen than
an engine failure in PT6-powered
airplanes.”
Knowledge is power. Understanding the power rollback
TRAVELOGUE
and a windmilling prop can be the difference between
a successful single-engine landing (and a subsequent
minor engine repair after landing) and a fatal crash after
the King Air flips over on its back. Directional control is
everything; handling a power rollback is one skill that
every King Air pilot should fully understand.
If you seek additional information about the nuances
of the power rollback and how it occurs within the fuel
control system, I have a tutorial video on my website at
flycasey.com/videos. KA
the pilot candidate and providing an ideal moment to
consider the effects of a windmilling prop. When the
prop is feathered, the King Air will surge forward due
to the reduction of drag. Depending on the model of the
King Air, a windmilling prop can lead to a decrease of
more than 35 knots in airspeed. That’s HUGE! One of
the most important considerations when dealing with
an engine failure (or a power rollback) is to ensure the
prop is feathered!
It is true. You may need to feather a prop even if the
engine has not failed. A power rollback can indicate
an engine issue that doesn’t lead to a failure but does
necessitate feathering the prop.
Joe Casey is the owner of Casey Aviation, Inc. based at KJSO in eastern
Texas. His company manages four King Air aircraft and provides flight
training in many models of airplanes. He has 16,800 hours of total
flight time, more than 4,000 of which are in King Air airframes. He
is a certified ATP-ME commercial pilot with ASEL/ASES, rotorcraft-
helicopter/instrument and glider ratings. Casey is also a designated
pilot examiner (DPE) with BE-300 type rating issuing authority up to
the ATP level, and he also holds CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-H, CFI-IH, CFI-G
certificates. He has flown more than 75 North Atlantic crossings in King
Air aircraft.
MARCH 2025 KING AIR MAGAZINE •
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