Page 5 - Volume 11 Number 9

PAIR
Woodgate Aviation Uses King Air to Succeed in New Markets
by Guy Warner
General Manager of Woodgate Aivation, David Shaw, explained the rationale for introducing the King Air as a matter of simple business logic for the company, which for many years has flown a fleet of Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftains (five are currently in service, two of which are based on the Isle of Man) on air ambulance duties, contract mail delivery, ad hoc charters and aerial photography tasks. The first Super King Air B200, G-NIAA, was purchased in February 2014. Before delivery to Belfast that June, the aircraft was given a full Phase 1-4 inspection, landing gear overhaul, engine hot section inspection and an avionics upgrade. The original panel was replaced with a Garmin GTN750, GTN650 GPS, communications, GWPS and weather radar suite. The three-blade propellers were replaced by brand new four-bladed Raisbeck Engineering/Hartzell Swept Blade Turbofan props. These reduce noise and vibration, as well as enhancing performance; Founder James Raisbeck noted, “The biggest benefit of propeller blade sweep for the King Air type of airplane is that it allows for a larger
diameter propeller without increasing the sound level in the airplane and on the ground. This in turn provides for more takeoff and climb thrust.”
The electrical system in the cabin was also modified to allow for the installation of an industry standard LifePort stretcher system which is at the heart of the Woodgate Aviation King Airs’ main role. The LifePort system incorporates an integral oxygen feed, as well as the power supply for such monitors as ventilators, defibrillators, suction and fluid pumps, etc., as are required. The company states that its LifePort stretcher systems are designed to be lightweight, user-friendly and provide exceptional durability over years of extensive use.
A contract has been authorized with the National Health Service in Northern Ireland, with a guarantee of 100 percent availability for the transfer of patients who are too ill to fly commercially to hospitals in Great Britain. Shaw noted, “We are able to respond to any emergency request within approximately one hour and
SEPTEMBER 2017 KING AIR MAGAZINE • 3