King Air 360 Debuts

Textron unveiled it King Air 360 and 360ER versions as noticeable makeovers to the legendary King Air turboprop.  Three of the key features include new autothrottles; digital pressurization management, and a heavily revised interior.

Updates to the pressurization include a higher differential pressure limit to provide a 10 percent decrease in cabin altitude at most common cruise altitudes.  And the autothrottle control “supports pilots in their critical mission of delivering people or cargo safely by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent, go-around and landing phases of flight,” according to the company.  “This enhancement reduces pilot workload and supports them in their continuous vigilance to prevent over-speed or under-speed, over-temp and over-torque conditions.”

While no price was provided, Textron plans to deliver the first King Air 360 in the fall.