Modernization of Canadian Military Aircraft with Arrival of Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft King Air 260
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Textron Aviation, based in Wichita, Kansas, has announced a major international sale of its Beechcraft King Air 260 multi-engine military training aircraft. Seven units have been ordered by SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. This marks the first international sale of this advanced training aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2028.
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The Beechcraft King Air 260 intended for the FAcT program will be equipped with advanced technology to meet modern training needs. (Picture source: Beechcraft)
These aircraft will replace the Beechcraft King Air C-90B models that the RCAF has used for decades. The modernization aims to provide Canadian pilots with an intermediate and advanced training tool suited to their future missions in operational squadrons specializing in heavy transport, maritime patrol, or search and rescue operations. Bob Gibbs, Vice President of Special Mission Sales at Textron Aviation, highlighted that this order consolidates the King Air 260’s position as a multi-engine military training aircraft for future generations, following a similar order from the U.S. Navy.
The Beechcraft King Air 260, a flagship turboprop in the King Air lineup, stands out for its versatility and exceptional performance. With a maximum capacity of nine occupants, the aircraft has a range of 1,720 nautical miles (3,185 km) and a maximum cruise speed of 310 ktas (574 km/h). Its redesigned cabin offers unparalleled comfort, featuring ergonomic seats and CoolView® windows that reduce heat and glare. In terms of avionics, the King Air 260 is equipped with the ThrustSense® autothrottle system from Innovative Solutions & Support, as well as the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion® suite, which includes three 14-inch touchscreen displays and advanced navigation and alert systems, such as multi-scan weather radar and iTAWS (Integrated Terrain Awareness and Warning System).
Designed for a wide variety of missions, the King Air 260 adapts equally well to passenger transport, specialized uses like air ambulance operations, surveillance, or training missions. Its technical capabilities include a maximum operational altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 m), a climb rate of 2,437 feet per minute, and a minimum takeoff distance of 2,111 feet (643 m). Powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engines and Hartzell four-blade propellers, it combines power, reliability, and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for demanding missions.
The Beechcraft King Air 260 intended for the FAcT program will be equipped with advanced technology to meet modern training needs. Features include a cockpit compatible with night vision goggles (NVG), a TACAN (air-to-air) system, angle-of-attack indicators, V/UHF radio, a digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, a condition-based maintenance program, mission-adapted passenger seats, and full-face oxygen masks. These advanced features ensure comprehensive training tailored to the complex demands of operational missions.
SkyAlyne, responsible for supporting the RCAF’s crew training program, expressed enthusiasm for the integration of this aircraft into the FAcT project. Kevin Lemke, a senior executive at SkyAlyne, described the King Air 260 as a next-generation aircraft built on a platform renowned for its reliability and performance. This development represents a turning point in the modernization of the RCAF’s training capabilities, ensuring the preparation of future Canadian aviators.
Textron Aviation also emphasized the numerous strengths of its aircraft fleet, which stand out for their versatility, low operating costs, and flight characteristics designed to meet unique challenges. Beyond military training, these aircraft are suitable for various missions, including flight inspection, intelligence and surveillance, utility transport, and humanitarian operations.
In conclusion, the order for the Beechcraft King Air 260 represents a significant step in modernizing the RCAF’s training capabilities. With advanced technology and a design focused on reliability and efficiency, these aircraft will play a key role in preparing pilots for essential missions across various fields, solidifying their training on a platform that is both high-performing and durable.
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Textron Aviation, based in Wichita, Kansas, has announced a major international sale of its Beechcraft King Air 260 multi-engine military training aircraft. Seven units have been ordered by SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. This marks the first international sale of this advanced training aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2028.
The Beechcraft King Air 260 intended for the FAcT program will be equipped with advanced technology to meet modern training needs. (Picture source: Beechcraft)
These aircraft will replace the Beechcraft King Air C-90B models that the RCAF has used for decades. The modernization aims to provide Canadian pilots with an intermediate and advanced training tool suited to their future missions in operational squadrons specializing in heavy transport, maritime patrol, or search and rescue operations. Bob Gibbs, Vice President of Special Mission Sales at Textron Aviation, highlighted that this order consolidates the King Air 260’s position as a multi-engine military training aircraft for future generations, following a similar order from the U.S. Navy.
The Beechcraft King Air 260, a flagship turboprop in the King Air lineup, stands out for its versatility and exceptional performance. With a maximum capacity of nine occupants, the aircraft has a range of 1,720 nautical miles (3,185 km) and a maximum cruise speed of 310 ktas (574 km/h). Its redesigned cabin offers unparalleled comfort, featuring ergonomic seats and CoolView® windows that reduce heat and glare. In terms of avionics, the King Air 260 is equipped with the ThrustSense® autothrottle system from Innovative Solutions & Support, as well as the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion® suite, which includes three 14-inch touchscreen displays and advanced navigation and alert systems, such as multi-scan weather radar and iTAWS (Integrated Terrain Awareness and Warning System).
Designed for a wide variety of missions, the King Air 260 adapts equally well to passenger transport, specialized uses like air ambulance operations, surveillance, or training missions. Its technical capabilities include a maximum operational altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 m), a climb rate of 2,437 feet per minute, and a minimum takeoff distance of 2,111 feet (643 m). Powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engines and Hartzell four-blade propellers, it combines power, reliability, and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for demanding missions.
The Beechcraft King Air 260 intended for the FAcT program will be equipped with advanced technology to meet modern training needs. Features include a cockpit compatible with night vision goggles (NVG), a TACAN (air-to-air) system, angle-of-attack indicators, V/UHF radio, a digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, a condition-based maintenance program, mission-adapted passenger seats, and full-face oxygen masks. These advanced features ensure comprehensive training tailored to the complex demands of operational missions.
SkyAlyne, responsible for supporting the RCAF’s crew training program, expressed enthusiasm for the integration of this aircraft into the FAcT project. Kevin Lemke, a senior executive at SkyAlyne, described the King Air 260 as a next-generation aircraft built on a platform renowned for its reliability and performance. This development represents a turning point in the modernization of the RCAF’s training capabilities, ensuring the preparation of future Canadian aviators.
Textron Aviation also emphasized the numerous strengths of its aircraft fleet, which stand out for their versatility, low operating costs, and flight characteristics designed to meet unique challenges. Beyond military training, these aircraft are suitable for various missions, including flight inspection, intelligence and surveillance, utility transport, and humanitarian operations.
In conclusion, the order for the Beechcraft King Air 260 represents a significant step in modernizing the RCAF’s training capabilities. With advanced technology and a design focused on reliability and efficiency, these aircraft will play a key role in preparing pilots for essential missions across various fields, solidifying their training on a platform that is both high-performing and durable.
