If you take the total number of systems sold as an indicator of popularity, Raisbeck’s Dual Aft Body Strakes are the most popular performance system in the Raisbeck arsenal for making a great airplane—Beechcraft’s King Air—even better.

INCLUDING OEM SALES of systems installed on new King Airs coming off the Wichita production line, the three top sellers of 2011 to date are, in order:
1. Dual Aft Body Strakes
2. Wing Lockers
3. Ram Air Recovery System

One might conclude that, because strakes and lockers have been factory-standard equipment since 2001 and 2004, respectively, those two systems would ‘naturally’ enjoy top-seller status. And now that the new King Air 250s are all being equipped with Raisbeck’s Ram Air Recovery System, one should expect it to be among the Big Three.

BUT THAT’S NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
To King Air owners and operators, DUAL AFT BODY STRAKES [DABS] offer an unmatched benefit-to-cost ratio. What else can you do to improve a King Air for around $20K that increases performance, improves handling, enhances passenger comfort, and modernizes the look of your King Air? Indeed, strakes were the first performance system to be adopted by the factory as standard equipment on all new 350-series King Airs.

WING LOCKERS [CWLS] represent excellent utility and value as well. It’s no wonder they take second place on the sales list. FAA-certified to carry 600 pounds of cargo in 16 cubic feet of external, watertight space, they return the cabin to your passengers, keeping aisles and seats clear and uncluttered. Many operators use the right locker to store airplane gear and their own luggage, reserving the left locker for easy loading and unloading of passenger luggage as they board and deplane. Moreover, the lockers handle skis, snowboards and other equipment that are too large to legally carry inside.

RAISBECK POWER PROPS [TFPS] deliver better thrust, overall performance and value than any other available King Air propeller. The props are often purchased by King Air owners when it’s time to overhaul or replace their OEM props. Noted for their quietness and virtually vibrationless operation, they meet the most stringent noise regulations around the globe. Plus, operators enjoy trouble-free operation between the 6-year, 4,000 hour overhauls.

Raisbeck’s RAM AIR RECOVERY SYSTEM [RARS] significantly increases climb and cruise performance in both normal and anti-ice operation modes. Because RARS reduces torque loss with ice vanes deployed, and can be deployed for all ground, take off and landing operations, the system offers excellent protection against foreign object damage (FOD)—even when using dirt and gravel airfields.

The ideal combination of Raisbeck Performance Systems is, of course, EPIC PLATINUM + LOCKERS. By deliberate design, EPIC performance is greater than the sum of the contributions of the separately available systems.

These and other King Air upgrades are available at Banyan Air Service.
For more information on enhancements for your King Air, contact ebracero@banyanair.

Banyan Air Service is pleased to provide maintenance tracking assistance for our customers. A computerized  Maintenance tracking program can provide excellent value to owners and operators of aircraft in many ways. It allows operators to more accurately budget maintenance expenses and schedule maintenance down time around their flight schedules. It also allows them to view a snapshot of the status of their aircraft from an internet browser anywhere in the world.

There are many companies that provide maintenance tracking services such as CAMP Systems, Avtrak, CAMS and Cescom, etc. Each provides the same basic service with additional capabilities available ranging from providing electronic flight logs and flight planning to inventory management, and Banyan is always willing to assist in helping customers to choose the best system to fit their needs. Another advantage of utilizing such a service is the portability it provides in the event of the sale of the aircraft. The new owner can choose to continue to use the system for the same beneficial reasons often resulting in an increase in resale value of the aircraft.

For customers whose budget doesn’t include the cost of a dedicated third-party maintenance tracking program, Banyan also provides in-house maintenance tracking at no cost to customers that bring their aircraft here for the bulk of their maintenance needs. Regardless of the maintenance tracking program used, customers and their service manager receive an email each month showing the projected maintenance due over the next calendar year. Any of our customers interested in  assistance with maintenance tracking are invited to contact their service manager to take advantage of this benefit.

Visit the Banyan Maintenance website to learn more.

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With the increased coverage provided by adding a second shift and the addition of nine new technicians in the last ninety days, Banyan Air Service (FXE) has added the Lear 40 series airframe to their growing list of capabilities.

“Our on-going marketing research has shown a real need from the Lear 40/45 community for another option other than the OEM for support in South Florida and Banyan Air Service intends to answer that call.  With many of these aircraft coming out of their factory warranty period, we have made the investment in training and tooling to serve this market. Banyan has been serving the Learjet community for well over 30 years and this is a decision that our customers helped us make,” says, Paul Rose, Banyan’s vice president of technical sales.

Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is both an FAA and EASA approved repair station, and holds Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazilian government maintenance approvals.  Banyan caters to domestic and international aircraft owners, corporations and governmental agencies.  In addition to Learjet maintenance, Banyan Air Service offers avionics solutions, 24-hour FBO services, aircraft management and sales, Jet Runway Café and a unique Pilot Shop.  For more information visit www.banyanair.com.

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“SUPERVAN 900” engine upgrade

The Banyan maintenance team has partnered with Texas Turbine Conversions from Celina, Texas to perform an exciting engine upgrade utilizing an STC (supplemental type certificate) developed by Texas Turbine Conversions called the “SUPERVAN 900”. The existing Pratt and Whitney PT-6A engine was removed and a factory-fresh Honeywell TPE-331-12JR is being installed. This complex engine upgrade includes replacement of not only the engine, propeller, and all associated wiring and batteries, but also includes a complete redesign of the cowlings and exhaust system.

This engine conversion will provide the operator with increased horsepower going from 675 shaft-horsepower with the original engine to a whopping 900 shaft-horsepower. Additional benefits include reduced fuel burn and longer maintenance intervals, which results in lower overall operating cost.

While performing the extensive engine modification, the Banyan avionics team is also upgrading the avionics suite. The existing Garmin stack and electromechanical instruments will be replaced with a dual Garmin G600 panel, dual Garmin GTN 750s, GDL-69A unit, and L3’s trilogy ESI-2000 for a complete glass makeover. Goodbye needles, hello GLASS! To read more about this avionics upgrade see our Caravan 208 Avionics Upgrade blog.

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Quest Kodiak

Banyan has recently been appointed an authorized service center for Quest Aircraft to provide sales and service for the new KODIAK utility turboprop aircraft. “This partnership continues Banyan’s growth to serve the customer and is in alignment with our team’s commitment to assist in the needs of humanitarian organizations worldwide,” says Don Campion, Banyan’s president. From inception, Quest Aircraft’s mission has been to design and manufacture a bush / utility aircraft specifically suited to the needs of missionary and humanitarian aviation organizations that provide access to the most remote regions of the world and the isolated people who live in

them. The Quest KODIAK aircraft meets this challenge with very impressive modern STOL design, and it’s rugged construction and high useful load coupled with proven Pratt and Whitney PT-6A Turbine power that makes it an excellent bush/utility aircraft. We are proud to be affiliated with Quest Aircraft and look forward to serving the Quest community.

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