Australian Aviation — January 2018

76 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION

which the King Air may be compared.
One impressive cabin feature that
cannot be readily seen, in addition
to standard Wi-Fi connectivity, is
the 350i’s passive noise reduction
system. Two types of dynamic cabin
absorbers are fitted throughout the
aircraft to reduce cabin noise and
vibration levels. Airframe-mounted
100 Hz absorbers are set at the same
frequency as the propellers, while 200
Hz skin-mounted absorbers are tuned
into the same frequency as the skin’s
harmonics. Unpowered and totally
passive, the devices do not require
ongoing maintenance.
The front of the cabin opens into
the cockpit and immediately there is
the familiar King Air feel, but with a
very new edge. A new edge that goes
by the name of Fusion.

Flying Fusion
The world of avionics evolves at an
incredible pace and Rockwell Collins
has long been a leader in the field.
However, its latest offering in the
form of the Pro Line Fusion suite is
something to behold and even better
to operate.
At first glance, the most striking
elements are the three 14in widescreen
LCDs that fill the flight instrument
panel. Featuring synthetic vision,
ADS-B Out, TCAS II and the ability
to move various displays and their
information about in a variety of
formats, there is an additional element
that is not so obvious – touchscreen
functionality.
Everything from planning a
weather diversion or setting the QNH,
to accessing a checklist or selecting
the flight director presentation can be
done by touching the relevant LCD
screen. Unlike most mobile devices
where the screen is heat-sensitive, the
Fusion screens are pressure-sensitive,
requiring a positive force to make
a selection, allowing the wearing of
gloves and significantly reducing the
possibility of an inadvertent selection
by an unsteady hand in turbulence.
Further indicating forethought, the
edges of the three large screens have
a roughened edge, allowing the rest
of the hand to grip while the chosen
finger makes the selection.
Between the two seats and aft of
the throttle quadrant, the Proline
keyboard and cursor control panel
remains and offers an optional means
of operating the system. It would seem
that this is still the preferred method
for a few of the tasks associated with
the system, but the touchscreen

philosophy has been well received for

the majority of tasks.

Karen has already pre-programmed

the route for our flight, so it is time

to take our seats and see the King Air

350i and the Pro Line Fusion system

in their element.

Taking flight

Seated in the left seat, the

pressurisation panel to the left, the

switches to the lower panel, the

central throttle quadrant and even

the control yoke will be familiar to

any King Air pilot. Switching the

battery switch to ‘ground’ powers up

one primary flight display (PFD) and

allows the aircraft to be readied for

flight with the ammeter overhead

showing barely an amp being drained

from the battery.

Karen runs through the flightplan

that she has loaded that will see a

departure from the harbour city, south

to the coastal township of Nowra

before heading west and returning via

one of the standard arrival routes.

Starting the PT6A engines is a

simple process of spooling up and

introducing fuel to ignition for the

engine to quickly stabilise. With

both engines running, both electrical

generators are online, and each are

checked independently for their

output.

The Fusion display is impressive,

and Karen has selected a format across

the three screens, left to right, of

primary flight display, a combination

of engine instruments, Jeppesen

chart and map display centrally and a

condensed PFD and flightplan ahead

of the right-hand seat. With airways

and taxi clearance we move from the

Hawker Pacific FBO with only a touch

of power and when required moving

the power levers aft through one

detent to ground fine negates virtually

any need for using the brakes when

taxiing.

Accessing the checklists through

the Fusion system and touchscreens

introduces me to an immediate

advantage – keeping one’s eyes outside

the aircraft. The geometry of the

system calls for only a partial lowering

of the eyes to access any information

that a pilot may require. On certain

‘The

touchscreen

philosophy

has been well

received.’

AIR TEST Beechcraft King Air 350i

The 350i features a state-of-

the-art Pro Line Fusion avionics

suite, and can be fitted with a

leather and polished wood cabin

the envy of many business jets.

TEXTRON AVIATION