Beechcraft Corporation today announced an order for a Beechcraft King Air C90GTx turboprop from Qingdao Jiutian International Flight Academy (JTFA), one of two Civil Aviation Administration of China certified, CCAR-141 certificated domestic flight schools in China. This purchase will help the academy meet the growing demand for its high-performance pilot training program in China.

The deal was signed on the opening day of the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition by Shawn Vick, president & CEO of Beechcraft International Services Company, and Mr. Siubun CHU, President of JTFA, and witnessed by U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke and officials from Pacific-China Aero Technology (PCAT).

"We are proud to close our first training aircraft deal with a private aviation school in China," Vick said. "The King Air C90GTx has proven its high performance and reliability with outstanding mission flexibility throughout the world, and offers a proven, stable and efficient platform for advanced pilot training."

"We are impressed by the outstanding performance and economics of the King Air C90GTx," Mr. CHU said. "The solid support of Beechcraft also contributed much to our final decision."

In China, the King Air C90GTx enjoys the good reputation among other aviation colleges and companies for advanced pilot training, including The Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC), Xinjiang Tianxiang Aviation College, Shenzhen Kunpeng International Flight Academy, Xi'an Tenglong General Aviation Co, Ltd., and Ordos General Aviation Co, Ltd.

The King Air C90GTx provides a reliable training experience in a cost efficient aircraft that features performance standards and technology accepted by airlines around the world. The C90GTx allows students to learn how to fly in a large, multiengine, pressurized, complex aircraft while offering flight schools the benefits of economical turboprop flight instruction in a very rugged and proven airframe.

Key enhancements to the King Air C90GTx include an increase in gross weight and the addition of composite winglets, which improve climb performance and further increase fuel efficiency. Featuring a cabin 50 percent larger than some very light jets, the C90GTx seats up to seven passengers in its famed squared-oval design, allowing greater passenger comfort. It includes an in-flight accessible, heated and pressurized baggage storage area along with a private aft lavatory as standard.

Contributed by Beechcraft Corporation