Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) and Blackhawk Modifications have announced an agreement for Blackhawk to distribute and install IS&S’s NextGen flight deck and integrated turboprop autothrottle system for King Air 200s and 350s. The two models account for more than 3,000 airplanes, according to IS&S, and there are another 2,000 C90 through E90 and F90 models that are upgradeable as well.

The King Air NextGen flight deck will be similar to IS&S’s STC’d PC-12 avionics upgrade, which includes new PFDs and MFD, dual SBAS GPS receivers and IS&S’s integrated flight management system with LPV approach capability. The autothrottle system received its STC recently in the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-powered Pilatus PC-12 equipped with IS&S avionics.

In the twin-PT6 King Air application, the autothrottle will include engine-out thrust control, which in case of engine failure automatically sets the remaining engine to the correct power level if airspeed drops below minimum controllable airspeed. “The pilot can maintain control as the autothrottle mitigates the adverse yaw, allowing the aircraft to safely accelerate under full control,” said Geoff Hedrick, IS&S chairman and CEO.

The IS&S PT6 autothrottle is able to fully control an engine with a hydromechanical fuel control, and it includes protections that prevent over-torquing during takeoff or over-temping in climb or at high altitudes. The system also features over- and underspeed protection in case the pilot mismanages the aircraft’s airspeed. If the pilot tries to move the power lever and nears the engine’s torque or temperature limits, the autothrottle has a built-in shaker system to warn the pilot.

The STC for the King Air will be tested in a King Air provided by Blackhawk. IS&S expects to receive the King Air STC “shortly.”