Enables King Air Operators To Cool The Cabin Before Crew And Passengers Board

Textron has received FAA STC approval for the new Beechcraft King Air Ground Cooling aftermarket upgrade for Beechcraft King Air 200 and 300 series turboprops. With King Air Ground Cooling installed, customers can provide flood cooling into the cabin before departure, enhancing passenger and crew comfort. “Textron Aviation continues to push the boundaries of customer service options for aircraft owners,” said Brian Rohloff, senior vice president, Customer Support.

Portfolio Supports The Company’s Upcoming Inflight Broadband Service

SmartSky Networks reports that it has surpassed 200 granted patents. This portfolio supports the company’s inflight broadband service, launching later this year. “SmartSky set out to transform aviation through innovations in communications technology and services,” said SmartSky CEO David Helfgott. “Our expanding patent portfolio represents the latest advances in a host of sophisticated tech needed to deliver on the promise of the truly connected aircraft, from our cutting-edge radio and antenna hardware to our sophisticated next-generation network and new aviation-related digital services.”

Just Prior To Reaching The Minimum Descent Altitude, He Saw The Approach Lights

On February 22, 2021, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421C, N84HA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at St. Marys Municipal Airport (OYM), St. Marys, Pennsylvania. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 corporate flight. According to the pilot, while inbound to OYM, he believed the automated weather observation station reported the cloud conditions at 600 ft broken 1,000 ft overcast, and visibility 1.5 miles in snow. Prior to being cleared for the GPS approach to runway 28, air traffic control provided no

AD 2021-04-19 Prompted By Flight Testing And Fatigue Analysis Results

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters. This AD was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This AD requires reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying them with a new part number (P/N). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective April 13, 2021.