Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Textron Aviation today announced the King Air 360/360ER, an upgrade of the Model 350/350ER that includes autothrottles, digital pressurization system, and a redesigned cabin. The new turboprop twin models—priced at $7.9 million and $8.795 million, respectively—are currently in production, with customer deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter.

 


The Innovative Solutions &amp; Support (IS&amp;S) ThrustSense autothrottles on the King Air 360/360ER—which reduce pilot workload by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent, go-around, and landing phases of flight—are also being made available as a retrofit for 300-series King Airs with Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics, Textron Aviation said. Likewise, the digital pressurization system on the new King Air models lowers pilot workload via automatically scheduled cabin pressurization during climb and descent. Cabin altitude has also been lowered by 10 percent to 5,960 feet at FL270.

 


Meanwhile, the cabin has been completely redesigned for better aesthetics and comfort, featuring new seats; more refined cabinetry, partitions, and side ledges; higher work tables; LED lighting; lower profile air and light components; new switches; and power outlets and USB charging stations. There are also five new interior schemes: lava saddle, new pewter, latte, buttercream, and alpaca.

 


“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 advancements designed to create an enhanced flying experience for passengers and crew alike,” said Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper. “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.”

 


To date, nearly 7,600 Beechcraft King Airs are&nbsp;in service worldwide, amassing more than 62 million flight hours.

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