Textron Aviation on Tuesday announced delivery of the 100th Beechcraft King Air 360 turboprop to the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC), one of the company’s longtime customers.
The delivery further establishes the King Air as the most popular family of turboprop business aircraft, Textron said.
“We take pride in providing aircraft solutions for our customers with the latest in aviation technology,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron’s senior vice president of global sales and flight operations. “The King Air 360’s updated airframe, avionics, and interior provide our passengers with a comfortable and reliable flight experience.” The King Air family of aircraft is renowned for its versatility and reliability, and this 100th delivery of the 360 is an exciting milestone in the continued success of a legendary product.”
CBCC is a pioneer in cancer research, testing, and treatment, including clinical trials that have led to new drug developments in cancer care. The company, which provides patients with access to clinical trials around the world, said the new aircraft will aid in its efforts.
“The addition of this aircraft will be a game-changer for us in terms of productivity,” said Dr. Ravi Patel, medical director at CBCC. “We are excited about the increased capability the King Air 360 will give us to globally expand our cancer care delivery and research”
Textron said 7,800 King Airs have been delivered to customers since 1964. The fleet has logged a total of more than 62 million flight hours, including commercial and special missions around the world and service with all branches of the U.S. military.
- READ MORE: We Fly: Beechcraft King Air 360
The King Air 360’s notable features include the ThrustSense Autothrottle, which automatically manages engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent, and go-around phases of flight. Other upgrades include a 10 percent decrease in cabin altitude at the aircraft’s certified ceiling of 35,000 feet compared with the King Air 350i.
The 360’s cabin has been redesigned with “craftsman-built cabinetry, partitions, and side ledges, upgraded materials and finishes, along with all new interior schemes,” Textron said. Other standard features on all new King Airs include pull-out work tables, power outlets, USB charging stations, and a private lavatory.
