Textron Aviation introduces additional STCs for IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle for Beechcraft King Air operators

WICHITA, Kan. (Dec. 2, 2020) – Textron Aviation today 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.

Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker customers receive factory-direct support by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, through a global network of service and parts centers, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG support.

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 optimize power output. The enhancement reduces pilot workload by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff 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.

Images:

Beechcraft King Air 260 cockpit

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About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 90 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com  |  www.defense.txtav.com  |  www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com

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