Textron Aviation today announced an upgrade to the Beechcraft KingAir Family, specifically new models designated the KingAir 360 and 360ER to replace the 350 and 350ER, respectively. Â The new aircraft offers a number of enhancements, including autothrottles, a digital pressurization system, and new interiors.
Textron President Ron Draper stated “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 achievements. Â 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 Thrust Sense autothrottles from Innovative Solutions and Support (IS&S) provide a reduced pilot workload through automatically managing engine power. Â The autothrottles work through all phases of flight, from take-off roll through climb, cruise, descent, go-around, and landing. A retrofit package is also being offered for King Air 300 series models that utilize Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics.
The digital pressurization system lowers cabin altitude by 10% at FL270 to 5,960 feet, while automatically adjusting climb and descent pressurization automatically to save pilot workload. Â
The cabin of the 360 models has been redesigned for better aesthetics and comfort. Â It features new seats, more refined cabinetry, partitions and side ledges, higher work tables, LED lighting, new switches, power outlets, USB charging stations, and low profile air vents and lighting.
Since its introduction in 1964, more than 7,600 KingAirs have been delivered and have flown more than 62 million hours. Â The KingAir 360 and 360ER are the newest models to carry on that tradition.
