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KING AIR 360
THE KING AIR COMES FULL CIRCLE
by Joe Casey
So, how do you improve an airplane that is clearly the most successful in its class? Own- ers and pilots alike have nothing but praise
and appreciation for what is truly the “King of the Air” in the turboprop market. Ask anyone who operates a King Air 350 and they’ll give high marks in just about every category. So, how can it be im- proved upon? Enter from stage left the King Air 360.
The King Air 360 emanated from the King Air 350, the flagship of the Beechcraft brand for more than two decades. Hence, they’ve had a long time to make the King Air 300 series perfect. Did they suc- ceed? Well, there’s no such thing as perfect, but I can relate that the King Air 360 is an all-encompassing, truly fantastic airplane with a lot of improvements. As soon as the email from Textron Aviation hit my inbox with news that a flight opportunity awaited, I jumped at the chance and flew to Wichita within the week.
May 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 11