Textron Aviation’s new flagship Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER, launched this week, features autothrottles, a digital pressurisation system and a redesigned cabin. Priced at $7.9m and $8.795m respectively, the King Air 360/360ER twin turboprop aircraft are currently in production with customer deliveries scheduled to begin this autumn, according to the company.
Ron Draper, President and CEO of Textron Aviation, said: “The aircraft is a result of our extensive conversations with our turboprop customers worldwide, as we continually increase innovation and next-generation capability to help them achieve their varied missions with greater comfort, technology and ease.”
The upgraded cockpit features the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense Autothrottle, which automatically manages engine power from the take-off through the climb, cruise, descent, go-around and landing. The autothrottles are said to cut pilots’ workload and help prevent engine over-speed or under-speed, over-temp and over-torque conditions.
New digital pressurisation
The other cockpit innovation is a new digital pressurisation controller, which automatically schedules cabin pressurisation during both climb and descent, further reducing pilot workload and increasing passenger comfort. The pressurisation gauges have been integrated with the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck.
Cabin upgrades include a cabin altitude of 5,960ft at a typical cruising altitude of 27,000ft – more than 10% lower than the King Air 350i. The improved cabin altitude levels provide greater comfort for up to nine passengers, particularly during longer flights.
The redesigned bespoke cabin design features custom-built cabinetry, partitions and side ledges, upgraded materials and finishes, along with all new interior schemes. Standard on the King Air range are: pull-out work tables, power outlets, USB charging stations and an aft lavatory.
‘Greater sense of openness’
Christi Tannahill, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, said: “We created an environment that provides passengers with a greater sense of openness inside the King Air. The cabin experience is such a critical element when choosing an aircraft, and it was important for us to surpass customer expectations. Their journey will not only be comfortable, but also a relaxing, enjoyable experience. The Beechcraft King Air 360 offers many of the amenities that our customers desire.”
Meanwhile, nearly 7,600 Beechcraft King Air turboprops have been delivered to customers worldwide since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop range in the world, according to the company. The global fleet has logged more than 62m flight hours in operations with all branches of the US military, business aviation and special mission roles.
Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER – at a glance
- -Cockpit improvements: Autothrottles and new digital pressurisation system
- -Cabin improvements: Cabin altitude of 5,960ft and redesigned interior
- -Prices: King Air 360 $7.9m and 360ER $8.795m
- -Currently in production, deliveries to start in the fourth quarter of 2020.
