Raisbeck Engineering has been awarded US Federal Aviation Administration approval to offer its enhanced performance modification kit for all models of Raytheon Beech King Air 200s.
The kit, which includes a ram air recovery system, improved performance leading edges, dual aft body strakes and high flotation gear doors, has previously only been available to King Air 200 operators that had replaced the original propellers with more advanced units such as the four-bladed McCauley propeller.
"When Raytheon began putting the redesigned Beech prop on the King Air 200, we realised it was comparable, so we elected to re-certify the system," says sales vice-president, Tom Halvorson.
The move could open the door to up to 4,000 potential sales, according to Halvorson. More than 1,200 upgraded King Airs are in operation.
Performance benefits include improved payload/range operation from shorter runways, increased safety margins at restricted airports, quicker climb to cruise altitude and faster cruise speeds, says Raisbeck. The addition of strakes increases aircraft stability to the extent that a yaw-damper inoperative restriction of 17,000ft (5,200m) is removed.
The ram air recovery system, based on a design originally developed by Pratt & Whitney Canada, increases efficiency from 68% to 98% by improving the sealing of the engine compartment and boosting ram air recovery. The revised design includes a changed inertial separator door and a fixed turning vane in the inlet, and halves power losses in icing conditions.
The revised leading edge is based on the conventional design used on the 300 and 350, and replaces the original drooped leading edge incorporated in the 200 to offset potential deep stall recovery issues with the T-tail design.
Halvorson concedes: "As it turned out, they [Beech] really overdid it. So we went back and changed the leading edge to a more conventional design which really cuts drag."
Source: Flight International
