Extending The Life, Performance And Value To Thousands Of King Air Aircraft

By Maxine Scheer

Innova Aerospace flew two Beechcraft King Air 90-series aircraft to AirVenture 2016, an A90 and C90, to showcase the availability of two new aircraft modernization and performance enhancement programs. The first program is an engine modification utilizing the advanced power of GE's H80 engine. The second program is a full avionics retrofit with the AeroVue integrated flight deck by BendixKing.

At today's press conference, Innova representatives noted projections for significant improvements from the H80 where GE has incorporated systems to deliver more shaft horsepower, improve engine fuel efficiency and provide increased temperature margin, significantly enhancing hot-day takeoff performance and high-altitude cruise speeds.

The GE H80 engines bring an estimated 10% increase in range, an 8% increase in SFC, and 90 shp more than the -135A.  "Those benefits along with 4,000 TBO, no HSI, and no recurrent fuel nozzle inspection makes the H80 a sound business investment," said David Meske, Director of Marketing.

Innova installed the GE H80 engines on a 1966 King Air A90 and at Monday's news conference provided anecdotes from the trip to AirVenture. "With two passengers, at 180 knots, FL135, and half-throttle, the A90 burned 60 gallons versus the C90, which burned 130 gallons.  The two-and-a half hour flight from Perryville, MO (K02) to OSH also included two full stops.  The GE H80 upgrade for the A90 and other models is in the STC process is anticipated to be available through Innova in Q1 2017.  The GE H80 upgrade is currently available for the C90 and E90 models.

"With the BendixKing AeroVue and the GE H80 engines, this 1966 A90 will have everything you can get from a new King Air," said Dave Milner, Innova's AeroVue Program Manager.

The King Air C90 came to AirVenture with the AeroVue integrated flight deck, installed with a proprietary kit developed by Innova, that representatives estimate takes off 105 pounds from the aircraft. "We estimate having saved years by combining early and late model King Air's in the STC process," said Milner.  Innova began discussion with BendixKing at the Aircraft Electronics Association meeting in 2015 and the partnership has moved quickly to bring the AeroVue upgrades to the estimated 3,000 King Air 90-series aircraft flying today. The STC process for AeroVue installation on the A90 is underway.

Milner, who flew as co-pilot on the C90, described the AeroVue's cursor control system as Ôvery intuitive'.  "Bendix promoted the controls as a human factors improvement, and the design is brilliant."

These upgrades are just the beginning of Innova Aerospace's focus on aircraft modernization and enhanced performance. Many new programs are coming including AeroVue for the Citation 560 currently in development.  In late 2015, BendixKing announced that Sabreliner Aviation, a division of Innova, would be the exclusive launch partner supporting certification, installation and service work on the AeroVue for the Citation product line, and would extend the program additional aircraft models, including the King Air C90 series, the Cessna Citation 550 Bravo and 560 series.

Innova officials noted a training program for the AeroVue is under development by BendixKing and flight training partners.

(Images provided by Innova)

FMI: www.MyKA90.com