The newly upgraded Beechcraft King Air 260 twin turboprop has earned FAA type certification, paving the way for customer deliveries. Textron Aviation unveiled the upgraded cabin and cockpit in December 2020.
The cabin features newly designed seats. Textron Aviation used pressure-mapping to hone comfort for passengers. The aircraft can accommodate up to nine people and has a maximum range of 1,720 nautical miles and a top cruise speed of 310ktas.
“The continual conversations we have with our customers play an integral role in the decisions we make about the design of new aircraft, as well as enhancements to our existing fleet,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, engineering and programmes. “With the King Air 260, we utilised that valuable feedback and truly elevated the flying experience for both pilots and passengers. And now, with certification complete, we are looking forward to getting the King Air 260 into the hands of so many eager customers.”
The upgraded cockpit features the IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle system, which manages engine power automatically from the take-off roll through the climb, cruise, descent, go-around and landing phases of flight. The system has been awarded STC approval from the FAA.
Another key update in the cockpit is the new digital pressurisation controller, which automatically schedules cabin pressurisation during both climb and descent. The pressurisation gauges have been integrated with the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck. The aircraft also features the Collins Multi-Scan RTA-4112 weather radar.
The announcement follows the FAA type certification of the Beechcraft King Air 360 in October 2020. Click here to read a feature on that cabin, published in the September/October 2020 issue of Business Jet Interiors International.
Textron Aviation also recently unveiled the Citation CJ4 Gen2, which you can read about here, and which will be covered in more detail in the March/April 2021 issue of Business Jet Interiors International.
