Garmin Delivers 1,000th King Air G1000 Retrofit on U.S. Army C-12; FlyRight Simulator Heads to Brazil; Skandia Kit Wins ANAC Approval
Why It MattersKing Air support infrastructure is broadening beyond North America, with training capacity, cabin-sound certification and engine overhaul authority all expanding in parallel with a large avionics upgrade programme.
Garmin marked the delivery of its 1,000th G1000 integrated flight deck retrofit for Beechcraft King Air aircraft at an Oct. 6 ceremony at Stevens Aerospace and Defense. The milestone aircraft was a U.S. Army C-12 Huron upgraded by Stevens Aerospace and Defense with G1000 NXi and Garmin Autothrottle. The U.S. Army has upgraded more than 40 C-12 Huron aircraft with G1000 NXi as part of an avionics modernization effort intended to keep the fleet mission-ready through 2050. Garmin received the first supplemental type certificate for a King Air G1000 retrofit in November 2007.
Separately, FlyRight, an FAA-approved Part 142 flight training center in North Carolina, and EPA Training Center, Latin America's largest regional aviation training center, have agreed to relocate FlyRight's King Air C90A Level-C full flight simulator from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF) to EPA's training hub in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. The move is scheduled to begin in November 2026, and the device is projected to receive certification from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) for pilot training by early 2027.
Aircraft interiors specialist Skandia, Inc. received final approval from ANAC for its King Air 200/300 soundproofing acoustic kit, which already holds FAA (2017), EASA and Transport Canada Civil Aviation approvals. The approval makes the kit available to most King Air 200 and 300 aircraft in Brazil. It uses damping, absorption and barrier materials to treat airborne and structure-borne sound and is offered in an à la carte format, with an optional in-flight acoustical analysis.
Pratt & Whitney Canada has named Mint Turbines, a turbine engine maintenance, repair and overhaul provider based in Stroud, Oklahoma, a designated overhaul facility for its PT6A and PT6T engine lines. The designation adds to Mint Turbines' existing OEM authorizations, which include General Electric, Ozark Aeroworks and Rolls-Royce through sister company Airborne Engines in Canada.
