OSHKOSH, Wis. (July 28, 2009) – The Beechcraft King Air – the #1 turboprop lineup in the world – will soon be used to further support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in its responsibility for the safety of civil aviation. The FAA has operated King Air aircraft for decades and recently awarded Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) a contract to upgrade its fleet with four new King Air C90GTi turboprops to support its Flight Standards Flight Program. The contract includes the option for two additional aircraft. Deliveries will take place over the next two years.
“The King Air C90GTi leads its segment in safety and performance,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “We are proud to supply this critical capability to the FAA to ensure the safety of National Air Space. The C90GTi delivers the lowest priced twin-turbine aircraft with mid-size jet avionics and is ideally suited for use in the FAA’s proficiency flying and situational awareness roles.”
The performance and technology capabilities of the C90GTi will provide the Flight Standards Program Office with an improved fleet of aircraft. The Flight Standards Flight Program provides direct support to more than 600 Aviation Safety Operations Inspectors (ASIs) throughout the country in their responsibility to ensure flights within National Air Space (NAS) operate at the highest level of safety and within regulatory requirements. As the industry evolves technologically, ASIs must keep pace and use modern aircraft to assess the currency and proficiency of pilots. The King Air C90GTi aircraft has the latest available avionics technology and is representative of modern general aviation and air carrier aircraft currently flying in the NAS. Additionally, the new King Air aircraft will be used to support disaster relief and emergency response operations within the FAA.
The Beechcraft King Air C90GTi is incredibly fuel-efficient, which contributes to its low operating costs, while offering increased performance and greater system redundancy. The C90GTi features an advanced, fully-integrated Collins Pro Line 21TM avionics suite, the same system found in the King Air B200GT, King Air 350, Premier IA, Hawker 750 and Hawker 900XP.
Advanced capabilities not found in other entry-level turbine avionics systems include a multi-sensor flight management system that utilizes several aircraft position inputs, solid state weather radar and Collins patented Chart Link TM automated chart selection system, all of which greatly reduce pilot workload. Other features include TAWS+, TCAS-I, a high speed USB database loader and optional Collins HF radio. Its advanced digital capabilities in collecting, processing and displaying communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) data keep pilots wired into a network of ever-changing information. The Rockwell Collins avionics suite also incorporates an Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS), offering pilots a wide range of tools – including map overlays and Electronic Jeppessen charts – to enhance safety and situational awareness.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.
