Press Release

Issued by Beechcraft Textron Aviation.

June 13, 2013

Beechcraft Corporation today announced it will highlight its trainer, light attack and special mission programs, along with its Global Mission Support team, during the 50th Paris Air Show, June 17-23 at Le Bourget Airport in France. Beechcraft’s static display outside its Chalet #500 is scheduled to include the company’s Special Mission 350ER demonstrator, a King Air 350ER operated by French Customs, a corporate-configured King Air 350i, as well as a Beechcraft T-6 trainer and an AT-6 light attack aircraft. “The Beechcraft AT-6 is making its Paris debut, and we’re thrilled to showcase the most capable, affordable, sustainable and interoperable light attack capability available in the world today,” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. “The Paris Air Show is the perfect venue to reach military, special missions and commercial partners from around the world with Beechcraft’s proven and cost effective aircraft, alongside the team of people that meets the unique and varied service requirements of these customers.” More than 7,000 King Air turboprops have been delivered since 1964 and are operated in 127 countries around the world. The line of twin-engine turboprops, which has surpassed 60 million total flight hours, is the best-selling business aircraft family in the world, with each model building on a reputation of proven performance. King Airs serve a variety of missions ranging from traditional transport of personnel and high-value cargo, to electronic and imagery surveillance, air ambulance, airway calibration, photographic mapping, training and weather modification. The Special Mission King Air 350ER is stopping in Le Bourget as part of a yearlong tour that will take the aircraft to more than 15 countries on six continents, flying an estimated 80,000 miles to demonstrate its performance, versatility and low operating costs. It is a standard extended-range (ER) airplane, which includes additional fuel capacity and increased capability landing gear allowing for 2,500 nautical mile range and take-off weight of 16,500 lbs. The aircraft’s unique interior configuration highlights the versatility and utility of the King Air family of aircraft with a fully functioning medical station complete with medical oxygen, vacuum and pressure, a medical cabinet and a side-facing, three-place couch for doctor/medical attendants. The large cabin provides ample room for the installed airline style seating showcasing standard King Air chairs in a commuter airline mission. In addition, a maritime patrol console has also been installed to demonstrate surveillance configurations. The French Customs aircraft displayed at the show is a King Air 350ER fitted with an electro-optical and infrared system FLIR Star Safire III HD, a THALES radar Ocean Master 400, IR/UV scanner and a SLAR TERMA. The aircraft, which was delivered in December 2012, is the fourth aircraft delivered to the organization since 2010.