What’s New In ’81

The lists are out for ’81 – and there really isn’t all that new externally in the types offered by the Big Three . . . From material to hand, it is obvious that the small end of the light aircraft scale is taking second billing to the larger types, especially those boasting turbos. This trend was evident last year in Australia – a result of the corporate and commercial clients realising that they had a double-edged tool in a heavy twin; a magnificent workhorse and a tax deduction. Let’s take the Big Three one by one and see what they have to offer in their 1981 line-up.

Beechcraft: Overall, the Duchess has come in for some attention. The RCA Weatherscout II radar is now available in either a colour or monochromatic display, with a nose-mounted antenna. This type was seen at the 1980 Reading Show.

Other newies for the ’81 Duchess include a three-piece gust lock which secures all control! surfaces; Edo AireMitchell Century 41 autopilot/flight director; King KFC-200 ditto; new series King navs, corns and ADFd, and KNS-80 RNAV.

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