Beechcraft Corporation has introduced a new inspection program for the King Air B200, 300 and B300 series airplanes tailored for those airplanes operating in a high utilization environment. This inspection program is sold as a Supplement to the King Air B200 and B300 Maintenance Manual and was developed to support owner/operators who fly their airplane(s) 400 hours or more annually. If owners/operators meet or exceed this flight hour utilization, they may continue to use the current 200-hour Phase Inspection Program or they may elect to transition to the new High Utilization Inspection Program (HUIP). This program is not available for airplanes flying less than 400 hours a year.
The HUIP is available for the following airplanes:
B200 Series
- BB-1158, BB-1167, BB-1193 and after
- BL-73 and after
- BT-31 and after
- BN-5 and after
- BY-1 and after
- BZ-1 and after
300/B300 Series
- FL-1 and after
- FM-1 and after
- FA-2 and after (will be available first quarter of 2014)
The HUIP program is based on four Detailed Inspections performed at 400-hour intervals and four Routine Inspections between each Detail inspection. Refer to the time-line below. The Routine Inspections have been designed to minimize the down time of the airplane.
The transition to the HUIP program can be accomplished by completing the remaining current Phase Inspection cycle or performing a Complete Inspection. The times, cycles and date of this transition are used to establish the base line for the new HUIP cycle.
We estimate, based on flat rates, that the HUIP will reduce inspection man-hours by over 40%. This will result in significant saving for those airplanes that are operated over 400 hours per year. The chart below illustrates the projected savings from the HUIP compared to the current Phase program. It does not take into consideration the ability to generate more revenue due to increased scheduling flexibility and increased “UP” time.
The HUIP Supplements are available through Beechcraft’s Technical Manuals and Distribution Center (TMDC). The inspection program will have an initial cost of $6,000 (US) dollars with a $3,500 annual renewal. The Maintenance Manual Supplement will be serial number specific with an expiration date that is renewed annually.
The HUIP program will be available free of charge to airplanes enrolled in the Support Plus Program, with a parts and labor contract.
You can sign up for the program through Beechcraft’s Technical Publications web site at http://www.beechcraft.com/customer_support/technical_publications/subscriptions/, by emailing to tmdc@beechcraft.com, or by calling 800-796-2665 or 1-316-676-8238.
For technical questions related to the HUIP, please contact Beechcraft King Air Technical Support at 800-429-5372 or 1-316-676-3140.
By: Dan Weaver
Director, Product Support – Propeller Aircraft
Beechcraft Corporation