Textron Aviation has achieved certification from the ANAC, the national civil aviation authority of Brazil, for its newest twin-turboprop aircraft models, the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER and King Air 260, clearing the way for deliveries to begin in country this quarter.

“The Beechcraft King Air's operational versatility is its key selling point in Brazil and around the globe,” says Marcelo Moreira, VP of sales, Latin America. “The King Air is a high-performance turboprop that can operate in almost any environment, from large metropolitan airports to short unprepared strips, which is why the aircraft is so popular in this region of the world.”

With nearly 500 King Air turboprops operating throughout the country, Brazil has the second-largest active fleet of King Airs outside of the United States. The aircraft is a popular choice by owners in large metropolitan areas, enabling them to connect with remote farms or factories in the interior of the country, as well as reach vacation getaways or international locations.

“The Beechcraft reputation for quality and robustness, along with the combination of efficiency and advanced technology in the cockpit and cabin, ensure the latest King Air models meet nearly all of the needs of an owner with one aircraft,” Moreira adds.

The King Air 360/360ER and 260 models represent the next generation of the turboprop family, building on its reputation of versatility and reliability. The aircraft offer the latest technological advancements in the cockpit along with providing additional comfort to the passenger experience.

The King Air 360/360ER turboprop features the addition of the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense autothrottle. The autothrottle supports pilots in their critical mission of delivering people or cargo by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent and go-around phases of flight.

Another key addition to the cockpit is a digital pressurisation controller, which automatically schedules cabin pressurisation during both climb and descent, reducing pilot workload and increasing overall passenger comfort. The aircraft also has a lower cabin altitude at the aircraft's certified ceiling of 35,000 feet, providing greater comfort for passengers, especially during longer flights.

The King Air 360 cabin, meanwhile, offers craftsman-built cabinetry, partitions and side ledges, and high-quality finishes, along with a selection of six interior schemes. Other amenities that come standard on the King Air lineup include pull-out work tables, power outlets, USB charging stations and a private aft lavatory.

The King Air 260 is also equipped with the IS&S ThrustSense autothrottle system, as well as digital cabin pressurisation. The aircraft now also features the Collins Multi-Scan RTA-4112 weather radar, providing pilots with a fully automatic system that is optimised to detect short, mid and long-range weather.

The new King Air turboprops were introduced in 2020, with the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER achieving US FAA certification in October 2020 and the King Air 260 in March 2021.

Nearly 7,600 Beechcraft King Air turboprops have been delivered to customers around the world since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop family in the world. The worldwide fleet has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 57 years, serving roles in all branches of the US military and flying both commercial and special mission roles around the world.