Beechcraft King Air 360 launch customer Stamoules Produce took delivery of the first refreshed copy of the venerable turboprop twin yesterday at Textron Aviation’s east Wichita campus.

“This is a special day for Beechcraft King Air turboprops as we begin a new era for such a beloved aircraft,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of sales and flight operations Rob Scholl. “This upgraded aircraft features innovative technology and next-generation capabilities, and it will allow [Stamoules Produce] an opportunity to transform the way they do business.”

Announced in early August and certified by the FAA in October, the King Air 360/360ER improves upon and replaces the 350i with features such as Innovative Solutions & Support’s ThrustSense autothrottle, a new digital pressurization controller, and a 10 percent lower cabin altitude than the 350i. Cabin improvements include craftsman-built cabinetry, partitions, and side ledges, as well as upgraded materials and finishes and new interior options.

“We’re very proud to be the launch customer of the new Beechcraft King Air 360,” said Katie Stefanopoulos, a family member of California-based Stamoules Produce who will also serve as its corporate pilot. “When selecting our first aircraft, we looked for a product that would not only give us the performance and flexibility we need to grow our business but also by a company with a trusted name and expertise in the industry.”

Since 1964, nearly 7,600 King Airs have been delivered to customers around the world. With the fleet accounting for more than 62 million flight hours over 56 years, King Air variants have served civilian, military, and special missions markets.