Fit for a king
Handover of Army’s first modified new surveillance aircraft

Mod cons: (above) A new Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft sits at Bankstown airport, waiting to be taken inside the Hawker Pacific hanger to begin its modification to military specifications.

Army ready: (left) Service-specific markings identify the King Air as one of the Army’s fleet. Photos by Cpl Cameron Jamieson

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

THE introduction into service of Army’s three Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft is progressing well following the hand over of the first aircraft to receive its military fit-out.

Aircraft A32-426, the first modified Army King Air 350 to be delivered, was handed to 173 Survl Sqn at a recent ceremony held by the contractor Hawker Pacific after being fitted with the necessary antennas and military radio fittings for its command and control, surveillance and communication roles.

173 Survl Sqn had previously leased older model King Air B200 aircraft, which were used to support ADF operations in Timor-Leste, Bougainville and Banda Aceh. These aircraft were approaching the end of their useful lives, and new airframes were required to continue the squadron’s work for the next 10 years.

Sqn OC Maj Geoff Fraser said the 350 model represented a major increase in range and endurance compared to the B200 models, and featured a range of innovations that made the new aircraft safer than its predecessors.

“I particularly like the redundancies in the aircraft’s systems and its excellent single-engine performance,” Maj Fraser said. “The new avionics and Flight Management System allows us to make safer approaches to land in all weather conditions, even in remote locations, using the Global Navigation Satellite System.”

The aircraft have been delivered to Army by Hawker Pacific as an extension of the contract that covered the lease, maintenance management and logistic support for the RAAF’s eight King Air 350 navigational trainers.

All three Army aircraft are in Australia following ferry-flights that followed Hawker Pacific’s standard route from the US production facility in Wichita, Kansas. Each aircraft was staged through Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, across Asia and Southeast Asia and on to Broome, Alice Springs and finally to Bankstown. While the addition of ferry tanks would have allow the aircraft to use the ferry to route via Hawaii, the longer route removed the risk of vapour leaks that could have contaminated the cabin and left a fuel odour.

The extended flights were put to good use though, as Hawker Pacific invited crews from 173 Survl Sqn to assist with the ferry flights so that they could gain experience on the new aircraft.

Capt Justin Stevens was one of the ferry pilots, and he described the aircraft as ‘incredible’.

“There’s a lot of technology in this aircraft,” he said. “It gives greater situational awareness by providing a greater picture of what traffic and terrain is around us.

“There is also substantially more power available, and we will have a greater loiter capability for surveillance operations because it can carry more weight for a longer period.”

Maj Fraser said 173 Survl Sqn looks set for a busy future as all units would be able to bid for King Air flying hours.

Cruise performance

High speed cruise (at flight level 330):
Speed 312 kt/359 mph (578km/hr)
Fuel Flow 773 lb./hr. (351kg./hr)

Long range cruise (at flight level 330):
Speed 237 kt/273 mph (439 km/hr)
Fuel Flow 362 lb./hr. (164kg./hr)