Textron Aviation announced supplemental type certification (STC) approval of the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense Autothrottle on Pro Line Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air 200 series aircraft including new production Beechcraft King Air 260 turboprops. STC approval on Pro Line 21-equipped Beechcraft King Air 300 series aircraft is anticipated soon.

These STCs are in addition to the approvals of the autothrottle on the Beechcraft King Air 200 series equipped with Pro Line 21 avionics, the Beechcraft King Air 300 series equipped with Pro Line Fusion avionics and new production Beechcraft King Air 360 turboprops, announced in August 2020.

“We know King Air pilots are already exceptional in their commitment to maintaining the utmost of vigilance and we are delighted to offer the IS&S Autothrottle to select Pro-Line and Fusion-equipped King Air 200 and 300-series customers,” said Brian Rohloff, senior vice president, Customer Support, Textron Aviation. “This enhancement further supports these pilots in their continuous observance to prevent over-speed or under-speed, over-temp and over-torque conditions.”

The IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle delivers precision control to optimise power output. The enhancement reduces pilot workload by automatically managing engine power from the take-off roll through the climb, cruise and descent phases of flight.

The ThrustSense Autothrottle is robust but lightweight and can be installed with minimal downtime and no structural modifications to the existing throttle quadrant. Implementation is seamless and pilot control is intuitive.

Larry Lunda is the first customer to receive this upgrade at a Textron Aviation Service Center. Lunda owns and operates a Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air 250 and has been a long-time Beechcraft customer.

“I appreciate the enhanced features the new ThrustSense Autothrottles upgrade will provide to the 2016 King Air that I fly,” said Lunda. “The system’s ability to maintain a selectable airspeed allows a single pilot to focus more time on tasks such as aircraft separation or navigating and flying an instrument approach. I have enjoyed the performance and reliability of Beechcraft King Airs throughout the last 41 years and I am excited about this great enhancement.”

STC approval of Garmin G1000 NXi-equipped Beechcraft King Air C90, 200 and 300 series turboprops is expected early next year.