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[ FLY ]
KING OF THE SKIES An exciting aircraft that builds on the success of the reliable, versatile King Air 350 platform. The new 360 is capable of operating safely almost everywhere and offering relaxed, enjoyable flights to many more destinations by Sergio Barlocchetti - ph. courtesy by Beechcraft
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[ FLY ]
The 360 has the same external dimensions as the 350i, approximately 14.2 x 17.3 metres, but the interior has been given a thorough makeover. The passenger cabin (opening page) has been redesigned, offering new furnishing opportunities, partitions, pull-out tables and improved finishes with lighter, more ecological material
J
ust over two years ago we celebrated in this magazine the market
hostile environments, like medical transport in Africa, and gain a full
debut of the Beechcraft King Air 350i, a thoroughbred twin-
understanding of the type’s typical VIP use we can imagine a group of
turboprop originally launched in 1964. Over 7,600 examples
six or seven people planning a quick flight from a tourist gateway on the
have since been produced in various iterations, but most important is
Costa Smeralda or after a few days shopping in Milan to a resort with a
the appearance of two new versions, the 360 and 360ER (Extended
landing strip like those in Tuscany or Sicily while also wanting to including
Range), with a whole series of cabin updates designed to reduce the
a day trip to the island of Elba or even push on to Pantelleria. And in
pilot’s workload and enhance passenger comfort. What we are looking
less than three hours they can reach Venice, Vrsar, Lussino, the Asiago
at is a reliable, versatile type of aircraft intended for private use with
plateau, Aosta, Trento or Bolzano, burning half the fuel a jet would
significantly lower running costs than a jet. It’s also capable of landing
need and avoiding the traffic limitations and long waits experienced at
in places where a twin-jet would not have enough room to operate safely,
large international airports – from Milan, it would be possible to take off
opening up many more destinations – admittedly, at slightly lower speeds.
from the Bordoni-Bisleri field at Bresso, a small city airport dating from
For example, a runway just over 1,000 metres long is enough for this
1917 about ten minutes from the centre. All the advantages, then, of a
aircraft to land and take off carrying 11 people (two pilots and nine
turboprop aircraft, and one that offers excellent operational opportunities,
passengers) to destinations within a range of 1,000 miles at 220 knots.
performance and style.
The exterior dimensions are the same as the 350i at 14.2 x 17.3 metres,
The entry price is 7.9 million dollars, with the 360ER coming in at 8.8
but the interior most definitely belongs to a new airplane. As we’re writing
million for an aircraft with the same specifications as the 350 models with
in Italy, we’ll ignore the airborne missions carried out by turboprops in
revamped avionics, auto-throttle function and digital cabin pressurisation
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management for greater on-board comfort. What this means in practice
now adjusted automatically during climbing and descent. From the point
is that the structure has been updated to raise the maximum pressure
of view of aeroplane management, the 360 series marks a step forward
level the cabin can handle. Flying at high altitude – 27,000 feet, say - with
– it can use high plant-origin fuel and engine management includes a
nine passengers, in the cabin it’s possible to breathe as if at less than
ThrustSense Autothrottle function, a system that manages power from
6,000 feet. There’s also more legroom, and USB sockets and state-of-
take-off to landing, even during emergency operation on only one engine,
the-art LED lighting has been installed. New upholstery colour schemes
rivalling the abilities of modern commercial airliners. The two engines
are offered and passenger-friendly details like manual window curtains
are tried and tested 1,050 hp Pratt&Whitney PT-6A/60 turboshafts
have been reinstated.
coupled to two extremely robust four-bladed Hartzell aluminium props,
The passenger sections of the cabin have been redesigned and now offer
preferable to composite props when the aircraft is required to operate
new furnishing possibilities, partitions, pull-out tables and improved
frequently on semi-prepared or grass and compacted earth runways.
finishes with lighter, more ecological materials. The habitable length is 6
“This exciting airplane is based on the King Air 350 platform’s heritage
metres with a width of approximately 140 cm. Over 500 kg of baggage
of success. The improvements carried out are the direct results of our
can be carried with a useful load of 2.33 tonnes. In other words, take
clients’ suggestions”, says Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron
out a few redundant seats and you can carry your favourite motorbike,
Aviation. “We concentrated on important aspects of aircraft ownership
skiing gear and diving and golf equipment or anything else that takes your
and management”. These are now key priorities for manufacturers, as ease
fancy anywhere you like without having to worry about space limitations.
of use for pilots, especially when they also own the aircraft, translates into
Above all, the crew no longer has to regulate the cabin pressure, which is
enhanced safety. https://beechcraft.txtav.com
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