Page 12 - Volume 14 Number 9

Her team digitally pressure mapped the seats in order to relieve hot spots under the tail bone and add additional support under sit bones and thighs. The process started in the development shop where the team put together a cushion buildup. A test subject sat on the cushion using the pressure mapping for an allotted time period. The team analyzed the captured data to determine hot spots and continuously tweaked the design and retested with the test subject until they had a cushion buildup with the right support in the proper areas.
Two other test subjects were tested on the seat design to ensure it supported other body frames, then the team took the final seat cushion buildup out to customers for evaluation and feedback.
Another change based on customer feedback is reverting to manual pull down window shades with the new model.
Christi Tannahill, senior vice president of customer experience for Textron Aviation says customer feedback aided in improving seat comfort and reverting back to the manual pull down window shades.
“While the monochromatic shades in the King Air 350i were technologically more advanced, we received some feedback around the usability and maintainability of them,” she said. “Many customers
just want to quickly adjust the lighting in the cabin and the manual shades give them this opportunity. The manual shades are also easier to maintain.”
In-service yet this year
The King Air is still the best- selling business turboprop family in the world, with nearly 7,600 delivered around the world. The global fleet, which includes about 1,300 of the King Air 350 series, has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 56 years.
With the King Air 360 already on the production line, it won’t be long before it enters service. As we went to print, Textron Aviation was teasing that the launch customer is a first-time aircraft owner and will take delivery before the end of 2020.
Tannahill wouldn’t divulge any other plans for the line beyond a warning to stay tuned.
“The King Air series continues to be an important part of our lineup at Textron Aviation and we are committed to investing in the platform,” she said. “The announcement also showcases our commitment to our current customers and fielded aircraft with the autothrottle available as an upgrade in the aftermarket at the same time.” KA
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10 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2020