King Airs to benefit from tech additions
Nextant Aerospace has received the final piece of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification that combines the new single-lever power control system with the previously certified engine and avionics combination on the G90XT turbo-prop aircraft
Nextant Aerospace has received the final piece of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification that combines the new single-lever power control system with the previously certified engine and avionics combination on the G90XT turbo-prop aircraft. “From the launch of this programme, our goal was to bring a level of technology to the King Air platform that has been missing for decades,” stated Nextant Executive Jay Heublein. “While the King Air is recognised as the most successful platform in the history of business aviation, the fleet has not benefited from the significant advances in technology that its counterpart in the jet market has.” Now, however, the G90XT features the GE H75 engine along with a fully integrated GARMIN G1000 flight deck. In addition to the new power control system, other key technology ‘firsts’ for this airframe include: a cockpit that integrates both engine and fuel monitoring on a digital basis into the MFD, an all-new digital pressurisation system, new environmental cooling system that triples the previous cooling capacity of the plane, and an all-new interior that features a new composite shell and incorporates new seats along with an improved cabin layout. In addition to the new technology, the aircraft demonstrates a 20-knot speed advantage at altitude when compared to current production, competitive aircraft.
“All along our goal was to introduce technology that would significantly reduce pilot workload in the cockpit and improve the ability for pilots to safely operate the aircraft,” stated Nathan Marker, Vice President for Flight Operations. “I can say with complete certainty that I have never operated a twin-engine turbo-prop that was easier to fly and that better positions pilots to effectively manage potential emergency situations.”
With FAA certification now complete, Nextant expects that EASA validation will occur within 90 to 120 days.