King Air 360: ‘The next level’

The new airplane features Innovative Solutions & Support ThrustSense autothrottles that provide overtorque and overtemperature protection; provide flight envelope protection in engine-out operations; and can be used in the takeoff, landing, and go-around phases of flight. A new, digital pressurization system yields 10 percent lower cabin altitudes than the King Air 350 series, providing a 5,960-foot cabin altitude at Flight Level 270. Automatic pressurization scheduling for the 6.8 dpsi system (earlier systems provided 6.5-psi pressure differentials) is provided for climbs and descents. Also, gone are the pressurization system and flap position indicator analog round gauges. Their readouts have been moved off the center pedestal and on to the bottom portion of the King Air 360’s Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion multifunction display. In addition, coverage of the King Air 360’s SiriusXM datalink systems has also been expanded to include the Caribbean, Canada, and Central America.

Textron Aviation Senior Vice President of Sales Rob Scholl said that the new King Air’s Pratt & Whitney engines can also run on sustainable aviation fuel. Speeds, ranges, and exterior specifications remain the same as the King Air 350 and 350ER models, and the King Air 360 will be classified under the same type certificate.

Interior improvements emanate from customer input, and come from a “more modern automotive inspiration,” said Christi Tannahill, Textron Aviation senior vice president of customer experience. The overall impression is one of roominess. There’s more leg room, higher table heights, thinner side ledges, lighted cupholders, USB power ports, optional Wi-Fi, and more comfortable seats thanks to ergonomically correct, patented digital pressure mapping. The cabin’s clean lines also include cabinets made of composite veneer and “pinhole” lighting at the floor’s edges. At customers’ request, cabin windows will have simple pull-down sunshades rather than electronic dimming found on the 350.

There are six available interior schemes: Alpaca, Lava Saddle, Buttercream, Latte, New Pewter, and King Ranch.

The first King Air 360s are on the assembly line, and Textron says that deliveries will begin this fall. Base price of the King Air 360 is set at $7.9 million; the 360ER’s is $8.75 million.