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In the realms of high-speed thrills and engineering marvels, few names evoke as much excitement as the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. The Dodge Demon symbolizes raw power, impeccable design, and unparalleled performance. Now, imagine translating that legacy into the skies. Enter the King Air® Demon Project--an endeavor to showcase King Air® as the muscle car of the aviation industry.

This project showcases the endless capabilities of King Air® while capturing the essence of the Dodge Demon’s personality and power. The result is a statement of style, performance, and innovation that challenges traditional boundaries and sets new standards, proving King Air® as the muscle car of aviation.

For aviation enthusiasts, the King Air® Demon represents a seamless fusion of advanced engineering and a nod to the design that makes muscle cars so iconic. This aircraft is not just about flying but redefining what an aircraft can be. It pushes the boundaries of aviation while combining the precision of flight with the bold innovation of the automotive industry. 

The Birth of the Demon Project

The initial concept was ambitious, aiming to incorporate design elements and performance features typically found in high-end muscle cars into the King Air® framework. “The inspiration behind the King Air® Demon Project came from wanting to highlight King Air® as the muscle car of the aviation world,” said Carl Davis, vice president of King Air Nation. “We saw the opportunity to be creative with an aircraft that would perform superbly and captivate the imagination of anyone who sees it.”

Creative Minds 

King Air Nation purchased the B200 from Haven ASG in 2023, where it also received installation of BLR winglets and Raisbeck modifications, all of which are included in Raisbeck’s 200 Series EPIC Platinum Performance Package: Leading Edges, Crown Wing Lockers, Main Landing Gear Doors, 4-Blade Swept Propellers.

Travis Lamance, CEO of Haven ASG, had the following to say about the project:

“We were so excited to work with King Air Nation on this project. As soon as Carl told us what he needed an aircraft for we were all in on the project. Carl and the team at KAN are so fun to work with and the process of acquiring the right aircraft and the subsequent process of accomplishing the long list of modifications was great. Our maintenance mods team did an outstanding job of fitting the BLR winglets, and all of the Raisbeck modifications. The coordination and communication between KAN, BLR, Raisbeck and the Haven team was top shelf, which always makes for a very exciting and fun project.

Anytime we get the pleasure of upfitting a King Air® with the cool aftermarket mods that Raisbeck and BLR provide to the market, we love it since our whole team is King Air® fanatics. However, it's not often that a special project like this comes along and we could not have been happier to play a part in the birth of the Demon King Air®.

Getting to see the fully finished out aircraft with the matching car for the first time at the King Air® Gathering was so awesome. They really turned out as a great compliment to each other. The Haven team eagerly awaits King Air Nation’s next ambitious King Air® project!”

Photo of Demon at Haven ASG facility in Amarillo, Texas.

King Air Nation embarked on a visionary project with a clear objective in mind: to create a King Air® as stunning and captivating as the Dodge Demon, both inside and out. While the aircraft was receiving the upgrades and mods via Haven ASG, the design concepts began back at the headquarters. David Johnson, the marketing director of King Air Nation, explained, "The project was presented to the marketing department with ambitious creative needs." The initial task was to create the designs for the paint shop—a process that involved countless renderings and hours devoted to perfecting even the smallest details.

Johnson highlighted the extensive efforts involved, noting, "We even went as far as hiring an interior designer to conceptualize the aircraft's interior, which turned out to be outstanding." This meticulous attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the King Air® reflected the luxurious and high-performance aesthetic they aimed for. Once the concepts were finalized, they were handed off to FlexAero for the finalizing of the designs and the intricate painting process.

Next up, FlexAero Painting, Inc. - FlexAero showcased its expertise and precision in painting this truly one-of-a-kind aircraft.

“Painting a metallic-colored airplane requires precision and expertise to ensure the finish is not only visually stunning but also aerodynamically efficient and durable against the elements,” said Sabrina Satler, CEO of FlexAero Painting, Inc. Despite a humorous nod to the "Demon" featured on the aircraft, the team dedicatedly prayed over the project, highlighting its significance.

The entire process took a little less than 8 weeks. Due to the extended drying time required for metallic colors, FlexAero had to wait a few extra days before starting the stripe layout process. Below is a detailed description of the steps involved:

1. Inspection and Preparation
   • Upon arrival, the aircraft undergoes a thorough inspection for any signs of damage.
   • All surface controls are removed to facilitate the process.
2. Protection and Stripping
   • Areas not to be stripped are covered with chemical-resistant tape and paper to protect them during the stripping and cleaning phase.
   • The aircraft is then stripped using a liquid stripper.
3. Sanding and Repair
   • The aircraft is sanded to remove any remaining paint or primer residue not removed by stripping.
   • Composite parts are also sanded as required.
   • Any bodywork, fiberglass, and dents are meticulously repaired.
   • The aircraft is etched and treated to ensure corrosion protection.
4. Priming and Painting
   • An epoxy primer is applied as the base layer.
   • This is followed by three coats of polyurethane topcoat paint.
   • The landing gear struts and wheels are also sanded and painted.
5. Decorative Design and Finishing
   • A custom design stripe layout is meticulously created.
   • A licensed mechanic weighs, balances, and reinstalls all surface controls.
   • Operational exterior placards are installed for functionality and compliance.
   • A strip of PRC black sealer is applied around the windows to achieve a clean, crisp edge.
6. Final Touches
   • The final stage includes touching up all stripes, removing masking tape, and cleaning windows and exterior parts to ensure a flawless finish. 

Aerosmith Aviation played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of BB-887. They installed Garmin GTN 750, Auto Pilot, EIS, and G600Txi. Here are some key features and aspects of the GTN 750:

1. Touchscreen Interface
   • The GTN 750 features a large, high-resolution touchscreen display allowing for easy and intuitive navigation.
2. Navigation and Flight Planning
   • It offers advanced GPS navigation capabilities, including flight planning, airspace alerts, and graphical flight plan editing. It can interface with autopilot systems for smooth route management.
3. Communication and Audio Control
   • The GTN 750 can integrate with aircraft communication systems, providing radio tuning, intercom functionality, and audio control. It also supports dual-frequency monitoring.
4. Weather and Traffic Information
   • The system can display real-time weather data and traffic information when connected to compatible sensors and systems. This includes NEXRAD weather radar, METARs, TAFs, and TIS-B traffic data.
5. Terrain Awareness
   • The GTN 750 includes terrain and obstacle awareness features, providing visual and auditory alerts to help pilots avoid potential hazards.
6. Charts and Maps
   • It supports a wide range of charts and maps, including VFR sectional charts, IFR enroute charts, and approach plates.
7. Integration
   • The GTN 750 is designed to integrate seamlessly with other avionics systems, including transponders, audio panels, and ADS-B systems. This makes it a central hub for managing various aspects of the aircraft's avionics.
8. User Customization
   • Pilots can customize the display and user interface to match their preferences and flying style, including configuring shortcuts and user-defined waypoints.
9. Software Updates
   • Garmin provides regular software updates for the GTN 750, adding new features and improving performance. These updates can be installed via an SD card.

The team at King Air Nation refurbished the interior and installed the Blackhawk PT6A-52 engine upgrade.

The Blackhawk PT6A-52 engines are the perfect match to our “muscle car of aviation”, providing significantly more horsepower. These engines allow you to fly faster and experience a smoother, more robust climb. With improved safety margins, you can feel more confident in your aircraft's performance. They also offer better high-altitude and hot-weather capabilities, ensuring reliable operation in challenging conditions. Furthermore, the Blackhawk PT6A-52 engines are designed with fuel efficiency in mind, giving you better fuel specifics and allowing you to get the most out of every flight. For aviation enthusiasts, professional pilots, and aircraft owners, these engines are the epitome of power and reliability.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this project with King Air Nation,” said Edwin Black, President of Blackhawk Aerospace. “The King Air® has long been referred to as the suburban of the sky, but with our XP52 Engine+ Upgrade, it’s transformed into the ‘muscle craft’ that it truly is and was always meant to be.”

2023 Dodge Demon 170 Details

• 1,025 total horsepower at 6,5000 rpm
• 945 lb.-ft of torque at 4200 rpm
• 0-60 mph in 1.66 seconds (currently the fastest production car ever made!)
• 2.004 Gs
• 8.91 seconds ER at 151.17 mph
• 6.2L V8 Supercharged D170 Engine

From the Dodge Website:

Make no mistake. The limited-production 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT® Demon 170, featuring the first-ever 1,000-plus-horsepower production HEMI® engine, is absolutely here to kick ass and cross names off the competitor lane list. The seventh and final Last Call Special Edition is already banned in its stock form by the NHRA thanks to dominating the quarter-mile with a certified 8.91-seconds ET at 151.17 mph.

With only a red key in hand, horsepower levels are determined by the percentage of ethanol fuel detected. A recalibrated powertrain control module optimizes fueling and spark timing for both premium and high-ethanol-blended fuel to unlock the full horsepower potential.

What does it take to achieve a 40% boost increase, go 0-60 mph in 1.66 seconds and generate the highest g-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 Gs? Next-level engineering, a hell of a lot of determination, testing and passion to deliver the craziest performance numbers ever for the Brotherhood of Muscle.

Photos from Dodge website.

The Demon in the Air and on the Ground

The King Air® Demon Project debuted at the 2024 King Air® Gathering in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. “The Gathering consists of many people devoted to the King Air® kingdom, so there was no better place to reveal this exciting project than at The Gathering,” said Davis.

Future Prospects and Innovation

The King Air® Demon Project is just the beginning. With its success, there's potential for future aircraft designs to take inspiration from the automotive world, creating a new genre of versatile, high-performance aircraft. The project also opens up possibilities for further customization and personalization in aviation, catering to the unique tastes and needs of aircraft owners and operators.

The King Air® Demon is a testament to what can be achieved when dared to innovate. By blending the power and aesthetics of muscle cars with advanced aviation technology, the Demon represents a new frontier in aircraft design. For aviation enthusiasts, car lovers, and tech innovators, the King Air® Demon is more than just an aircraft—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when boundaries are pushed and imagination takes flight.

Goodbye turbine suburban, say hello to the Muscle Car of Aviation!