King Air.org > Modifications

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MODIFICATIONS

Mike Converse
National Flight Services, Inc.
Lakeland, Florida
Phone (863) 648-1648
email: mikeconverse@nationalflight.com
   
   

Aftermarket modifications and upgrades are available for 90 and 100 Series King Airs. A popular engine upgrade package involves C90, C90A, C90B, and E90 Series aircraft being re-engined with the PT6A-135As of the C90GT. Aircraft with this modification are known as Silverhawk 135s or Blackhawk XPs. A more radical re-engining programme is the Kilo Alpha 290, which involves the replacement of the PT6s in C90 and E90 King Airs with TPE-331s (I had a chance to talk with the Kilo Alpha Team at the NBAA in Atlanta a few years ago - great group of guys).

Among the numerous airframe modifications available, one company offers a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for both 90 and 100 Series aircraft, while another offers a modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking and extending the nose to house a baggage compartment as well as the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft. Modifications available for the King Air 100 include a belly cargo pod similar to those fitted to the Beech 99 and the Model 1300 version of the King Air 200 series.

BLR Aerospace offers King Air Winglets for the 200/300 and soon for the 90.

The BLR winglet design for the King Air 200 / 300 is about the same size and shape of the Raytheon factory designed winglet for the King Air 350.

The BLR design adds a winglet in addition to a small wing span extension. The combination of the two components results in a drag reduction as well as low speed handling improvement.

a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for 200 Series aircraft and a modification to replace the electro-mechanical landing gear retraction system of early-build aircraft with an electro-hydraulic system.

Avia Design offers a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for 200 Series aircraft and a modification to replace the electro-mechanical landing gear retraction system of early-build aircraft with an electro-hydraulic system.

Raisbeck Inc. (a company that has been heavily involved in developing modifications for the entire King Air line) offers several modifications designed to increase performance (strakes that improve low-speed yaw stability) and carrying capacity (nacelle lockers).

Sierra Nevada Corporation offers a modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking and extending the entire nose to house a baggage compartment as well as the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft.

Commuter Air Technology offers a modification to install a Forward looking infrared camera in an extended nose in B200 King Airs. Other modifications available are to convert standard 200 Series King Airs to configurations equivalent to the Model 1300 or Model 200C and B200C King Airs; and to modify B300s (typically delivered with an eight-seat corporate interior) to allow more passengers and baggage to be carried.

If you would like to contact KingAir.org, please contact the editor (at) KingAir.org .

If you would like to list your King Air STC or modification in our Modification Directory please contact Jerry Hunley via e-mail at editor (at) KingAir.org.. He will be happy to talk with you and answer any other questions you may have.