Equips Venerable Turboprop With Cutting-Edge Tech

Three Kansas City-based companies formed a "triumphant trifecta" as they announced an aviation industry "first" at the city’s downtown airport Monday. Executive Beechcraft, Garmin International and Data Systems International, Inc. (DSI) all shared the spotlight, as the former became the first facility in the nation authorized to retrofit the King Air C90 with the Garmin G1000 all-glass avionics suite.

The first airplane in the country to have the system installed is owned by DSI founder and CEO Mike McGraw, who took delivery this week.

"This is the culmination of a two year effort," according to Scott Tychsen, Executive Beechcraft president. "We’ve worked closely with Garmin to bring the G1000 to market for the King Air C90, and we are very proud of our partnership in making this remarkable avionics system available to King Air owners and operators."

The Garmin G1000 avionics suite fully integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, and engine instrumentation on high-definition LCDs, replacing most older, traditional cockpit instruments. A recently approved STC made the G1000 avionics system available for retrofit on the popular King Air C90 aircraft series.

DSI founder Mike McGraw learned about the panel upgrade, and was intrigued by the possibility.

"I wanted every bit of situational awareness I could gather in the cockpit," McGraw said. "And that’s exactly what I get with the G1000 glass panel. I consider it my co-pilot in the safe and reliable operation of my King Air."

McGraw’s airplane becomes the first King Air C90 in the nation to be so outfitted. "This is history-making news in the aviation world, and it’s happening right here among three well respected Kansas City companies," adds Tychsen. "It’s a proud moment for all of us involved."

"The G1000 avionics package solidly positions the King Air for the 21st century," he added.

Executive Beechcraft will deliver a second aircraft later this week, and has additional King Air C90’s currently scheduled for this upgrade at both their Kansas City and St. Louis locations.

FMI: www.executivebeechcraft.com, www.garmin.com