Wichita's Textron Aviation now delivering new training planes to the U.S. Navy

Wichita-based Textron Aviation has delivered the first two of up to 64 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft contracted by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

The aircraft, which will be known as the T-54A, replaces the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) fleet of T-44C Pegasus aircraft at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. A variant of the twin-engine and pressurized Beechcraft King Air 260, the T-54A will modernize the fleet and be more representative of follow-on fleet aircraft. The T-44 has been in service for more than 40 years.

The T-54A includes an updated avionics suite and automation qualities to better prepare students for the advanced aircraft they'll fly in the fleet.

“The T-54A benefits from an active Beechcraft King Air assembly line in Wichita, Kansas, where all required METS avionics and interior modifications are installed on the line; keeping costs down, aircraft conformity consistent across the fleet and optimizing the delivery schedule to the Navy,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation.

METS-specific capabilities include factory options for TACAN (Air-to-Air), angle-of-attack (AOA), V/UHF radio, digital audio system, engine trend monitoring, condition-based maintenance plus, observer/jump seat, passenger mission seats and full-face oxygen masks.

More than 7,700 Beechcraft King Air turboprops have been delivered to customers around the world since 1964, making it the best-selling business turboprop family in the world. The worldwide fleet has surpassed 62 million flight hours in its 60 years, serving roles in all branches of the U.S. military and flying both commercial and special missions roles around the world.

Textron Aviation has been in business for 95 years; it has customers in more than 170 countries.

Textron brands include Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.