WICHITA, Kan. (Sept. 24, 2013) – Beechcraft Corporation and its aftermarket service and support organization, Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS), last week hosted its inaugural King Air Operators Conference & Fly-In for nearly 200 owners, operators and maintenance experts at its headquarters in Wichita. The event, themed “Gathering of Kings,” included a variety of technical service and support presentations, safety briefings and aftermarket product offerings from the company and several of its equipment suppliers and authorized service centers.
“The conference provided a great opportunity for King Air owners and operators to not only gain additional knowledge on their aircraft, but also for them to meet and share ideas on how Beechcraft can further improve its products and services,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “We were very pleased with the overall participation of our first King Air Operators Conference and will be looking for ways to expand and enhance it in the future.”
During the conference, customers heard from several current Beechcraft owners and advocates, including special guest Lt. Col. David Berg, 427th Reconnaissance Squadron commander from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Berg is a command pilot with more than 3,100 flying hours in the MC-12W Project Liberty King Airs, F-15E, AT-38B and AT-38C aircraft. As a combat veteran of operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, Berg has witnessed firsthand the diverse capabilities of the King Air.
In addition, aviation safety experts presented to the group on important safety issues. Dr. David Strahle, known in the industry as the “Father of Datalink,” discussed basic NEXRAD understanding and thunderstorm avoidance, while Richard Komarniski, presented on human factors and maintenance safety.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., GCS is dedicated to improving the value of both Hawker and Beechcraft aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of five functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers), Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications) and Global Mission Support (government business and special mission maintenance / training support).
