Textron Aviation has delivered a special missions Beechcraft King Air 350CER (cargo, extended range) to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Marine & Aviation Operations, joining one that was delivered in 2009 and used for coastal mapping, as well as aerial survey and emergency response missions following earthquakes, oil spills, and other man-made and natural disasters.

“We are honored the King Air 350CER aircraft continues to be the aircraft of choice to fill a variety of critical mission needs for NOAA,” said Textron Aviation special mission sales v-p Bob Gibbs. “The aircraft’s custom sensor port modification, combined with its extended-range-performance features, makes it a powerful and reliable platform to carry out the agency’s unique missions during critical times.”

It is capable of loitering for up to eight hours and, using a dual-sensor port modification, can simultaneously collect data from multiple onboard sensors. Removable optical-grade glass plates allow the aircraft to be operated in a pressurized or non-pressurized environment.

This newest King Air will join NOAA’s fleet of manned aircraft that is operated, managed, and maintained by its aircraft operations center at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Central Florida.