Textron Aviation today announced the King Air 360/360ER, an upgrade of the Model 350i/350ER that includes autothrottles, digital pressurization system, and a redesigned cabin. Customer deliveries of the new turboprop twins—priced at $7.9 million and $8.795 million, respectively—are expected to begin in the fourth quarter.
The Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense autothrottles on the King Air 360/360ER, which reduce pilot workload by automatically managing engine power, are also being made available as a retrofit for 300-series King Airs with Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics, Textron Aviation said. Likewise, the digital pressurization system on the new King Air models lowers pilot workload via automatically scheduled cabin pressurization during climb and descent. Cabin altitude has also been lowered by 10 percent to 5,960 feet at FL270.
Meanwhile, the cabin has been completely redesigned for better aesthetics and comfort, featuring new seats; more refined cabinetry, partitions, and side ledges; higher work tables; LED lighting; lower profile air and light components; new switches; and power outlets and USB charging stations. There are also five new interior schemes: lava saddle, new pewter, latte, buttercream, and alpaca.
“The Beechcraft King Air 360 builds on decades of renowned versatility and reliability in the King Air family, and this upgrade further elevates it with the aircraft’s superior features and engineering advancements,” said Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper.
Gulfstream Aerospace has opened a new global aircraft parts distribution hub near Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which is the busiest airport in the U.S. and offers connectivity to enable parts to be quickly delivered around the world. Developed in partnership with warehousing and logistics specialist Crane Worldwide Logistics, the facility houses an inventory of approximately $23 million in spare parts.
“Hartsfield-Jackson typically offers more than 150 domestic and 70 international nonstop flights and has been named the most efficient airport in the world,” said Derek Zimmerman, president of the airframer’s customer support division, adding that makes it the optimal choice for the OEM’s newest warehouse. “By distributing parts directly from Atlanta, we can save shipping and delivery time to provide the most expedient service to our customers.”
The company’s primary customer support distribution center is in Savannah, with additional satellite locations in Van Nuys, California; Teterboro, New Jersey; Amsterdam; Basel; Hong Kong; and Singapore. Gulfstream’s global parts inventory currently totals more than $1.3 billion.
USAIG Safety Bucks Fully Cover Airbus Helo IIMC Course
Aircraft insurer USAIG customers can now use their $2,500 Safety Bucks certificate to fully cover the cost of the inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC) course offered by Airbus Helicopters’ North America (AHNA) training center in Grand Prairie, Texas. The offer applies to courses booked by the end of this year and started by July 1, 2021. The course normally costs $3,900.
“We believe the IIMC course is a must-have for any helicopter pilot,” said Lindsay Cunningham, head of customer training for AHNA. “And this limited-time offer is a great way for operators who are USAIG policyholders to benefit from the course while deriving maximum advantage from their Safety Bucks.”
USAIG started the Safety Bucks program in the 1990s to incentivize policyholders to make recurrent helicopter simulator training standard practice. It was later expanded to include helicopter maintenance technician training and some in-aircraft training activities. In 2015, it was integrated into USAIG’s broader Performance Vector safety initiative, which provides a variety of safety services from which eligible policyholders can make one annual selection.
The AHNA Training Center, in partnership with Helisim, provides courses and simulator training for the Airbus Helicopters AS350, EC135, and EC145 models and will soon add a new level-D H145 full-flight simulator.
Embraer Rolls Out Medevac Phenom 300
Embraer today announced the launch of an aeromedical version of its popular Phenom 300 light jet. Developed in partnership with cabin specialists umlaut and Aerolite, and also available also through retrofit, the Phenom 300MED is designed to be quickly and easily configured to meet the needs of operators and patients. It features hospital-grade trim and finishing, with either one or two stretchers and the ability to carry an incubator and additional medical equipment.
“We are honored that Embraer and umlaut have selected Aerolite’s innovative aeromedical equipment for the new Phenom 300MED,” said Aerolite CEO Ronald Hengartner. “From providing the most modern EMS interior solutions to offering customer-specific support and training, Aerolite is uniquely positioned to help deliver the ultimate medevac solution.”
Since deliveries of the Phenom 300 series began in 2009, Embraer has handed over 550 of the twinjets. The twinjet offers a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet, which the airframer said contributes to a healthier flight experience for medical staff and patients alike.
“The Phenom 300 platform…is uniquely positioned for medevac operations,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano. “Given the current health crisis, we are proud to be working with two world-class Medevac-solutions partners, and we are primed to immediately start taking orders for this air ambulance solution.”
Aspen Avionics Joining New Aerospace/Defense Group
Airo Group has come together as a growing mid-tier aerospace and defense (A&D) company aiming to fill a void left by the mergers of midsize companies with larger A&D players. The group plans to bring nine companies together under Airo’s Project Jupiter after launching with founding companies Airo Drone and AgileDefense. Six other companies are targeted for acquisition under signed letters of intent, including urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle developer VRCO and avionics manufacturer Aspen Avionics, and one company is part of a joint venture.
According to Airo Group CEO Joe Burns, the new company’s goal is to target three key growth areas in aerospace and defense: drone technology and UAM; advanced avionics; and defense and training.
While the acquisition of Aspen Avionics might raise questions about how a general aviation avionics manufacturer fits into an A&D company, it makes sense in terms of growth opportunities, according to Aspen president and CEO John Uczekaj. “General aviation is a good, solid business, but not high growth,” he said. “We see all that [drone and UAM technology] as part of the growth cycle, and we want to accelerate that.”
The plan is for Aspen to expand beyond its expertise in display manufacturing into other avionics products for the UAM market. “Airo gives us the platform to grow,” Uczekaj concluded.
James Wisecup, chairman of HAI for a term spanning from mid-2018 to mid-2019, died on July 30 following a battle with cancer. He was 71.
Wisecup, who amassed 16,000 hours as a dual-rated pilot, retired as assistant chief pilot for Air Methods in 2019. He also had just completed requirements for a bachelor’s degree in aviation science from Southern Utah University, according to HAI.
“Jim was a highly respected member of the rotorcraft community, and we will miss his knowledge and leadership,” said HAI president and CEO James Viola. Born June 17, 1949, in Racine, Wisconsin, Wisecup grew up in Houston, attending the University of Houston but leaving after a year to become U.S. Army helicopter pilot.
He served as a member of the Comancheros in the 101st Airborne Division from 1969 to 1970 and was shot down three times. Discharged in 1971, Wisecup began his commercial flying career as a line pilot in 1974 for Offshore Helicopters in Texas, and later became chief pilot for Bristow Helicopter's U.S. operations. His career then led him into the helicopter air ambulance sector in 1987, first with Rocky Mountain Helicopters. He joined Air Methods in 2002.
Wisecup also was actively involved with HAI, serving on its Air Medical, Flight Operations, and Heliport Committees, and ultimately as chairman. He had remained on the board until June 30, 2020.
Fractional ownership provider Jetfly Aviation introduced its first PC-12 NGX into its fleet, in addition to taking delivery of a fifth PC-24. With the latest additions, Jetfly has 47 Pilatus aircraft, the largest such fleet in Europe.
Unveiled during NBAA-BACE 2019, the PC-12 NGX is equipped with an updated Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine that includes a full authority digital engine control, marking a first for business turboprops. In addition, the aircraft includes a fully integrated autothrottle option and features a new passenger cabin that draws from the PC-24 twinjet.
“When Pilatus presented the upgraded features of the next generation of PC-12s to us last year, we were on board immediately,” said Jetfly general manager Maxime Bouchard. “The new cabin with its larger windows and full authority digital engine control system—to name but a few improvements—have added significantly to a product that is already extremely popular.”
Also an early operator of the PC-24 light jet, Jetfly has accrued more than 2,400 hours thus far on the four already in its fleet. “The handover of our fifth PC-24 within two years marks the end of a successful phase of expansion,” said Jetfly CEO Cédric Lescop. “We are proud that our PC-24 fractional ownership program has already attracted no fewer than 50 part-owners.” Jetfly anticipates adding a sixth PC-24 toward the end of the year.
EPA: Curis System Is Effective against Covid
Decontamination provider Curis System announced that its proprietary Curoxide Hydrogen Peroxide blend and portable fogging system has been approved for inclusion on the EPA’s List-N, meaning it meets criteria for disinfection use against the Covid-19 virus on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Launched in 2014, the company’s fogging system was designed to reduce human error with a hands-free system that allows the operator to monitor, manage, measure, track, and report on decontamination efforts. It uses patented pulse technology to spread a hydrogen peroxide fog to achieve a kill rate of 99.9999 percent against even the most resistant pathogens. Unlike some other methods deployed in the fight against the virus, Curis’s system—which is being used in various transportation systems, emergency response operations, medical facilities, laboratories, and military facilities—does not leave behind surface residues that can collect grime and cause corrosion.
“As organizations scramble and struggle to find solutions to keep their employees and customers safe and their businesses operational, we are confident that our products are effective, efficacious, and the safest on the market today,” said Curis System CEO Frances Grinstead. “In a world turned upside down by pandemic uncertainty, Curis foggers bring fact-based, science-driven results so companies can know, and not guess, that germs have been eliminated from every surface.”
People in Aviation
Gulfstream Aerospace appointed Murtaza Hassan as general manager of the Gulfstream St. Louis service center. Hassan brings more than 20 years of aviation maintenance experience to the role, including with Gulfstream affiliate Jet Aviation, Dassault, Flexjet, Bombardier, and Atlantic Aero.
IBA appointed Phil Talbot as chief technology officer. Talbot joins the aviation data and analytics specialist with more than 20 years of experience in financial services and asset management technology, most recently as global IT and security director with Strategic Insight.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) appointed Jason Tepool as chairman of its Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee. Tepool, who is a business development executive for Boeing, has served on the committee for two years. Phil Stearns, who is director of sales and marketing for Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems, remains co-chair of the committee.
West Star Aviation named Timothy Spihlman CFO. Spihlman brings more than 25 years of financial and operational leadership experience to his new role, serving with companies such as Vi-Jon and Solutia and formerly holding roles as a board member, CEO, president, and CFO.
Ron Soret returned to King Aerospace Commercial Corp. as executive v-p. Soret formerly was president of King before joining Aeria Luxury Interiors in 2011 and also has served with Gore Design, Associated Air Center, and The Dee Howard Company.
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