Central Asia, which includes part of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to the border of China and Mongolia in the east, from the Aral-Irtysh watershed in the north to Iran and Afghanistan in the south. This territory, which covers more than 4 million km², not only has a vibrant agricultural sector, but its oil (Kazakhstan) and gas fields (Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) and deposits of polymetals (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), rare-earth metals (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and gold (Uzbekistan) have gained global significance. The IT sector and state programs of medical and special aviation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are also actively developing.
For such vast territories, where companies and population centers are scattered and often not interconnected not only by roads, but even by regular flights, aviation is the only way to get around and opens up opportunities that previously did not exist. Textron comes to the aid of businesses and individuals, not only increasing its presence year after year in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but also striving to join every Central Asian country into a single aviation logistics hub.
Today, the company is represented by three King Air aircraft, two Cessna 208 Caravans, two Cessna CJ3s, and one Cessna Citation X in Kazakhstan, as well as an additional King Air turboprop aircraft in Kyrgyzstan. All the aircraft have the standard configuration and each is designed to solve specific challenges.
King Air is best in class
Let's start by looking at the large family of King Air American turboprop general-purpose aircraft, which are used all over the world. The aircraft, which made its first flight in 1963, has been modernized many times and, despite its venerable age, is recognized as one of the best in its class. Over years of mass production, more than 7,000 King Air planes have been manufactured. Aviators around the world describe them as “economical”, “environmentally friendly”, “reliable”, “inexpensive”, “undemanding in relation to runway quality”. The aircraft also has excellent performance characteristics.
King Air planes were produced in a huge number of variants. Today, one of the most modern and popular variant is the Beechcraft King Air 350i. Planes based on this model were created for various purposes.
The King Air 350i is powered by two practical PWC PT6A-60A turboprop engines from the popular PT-6 series, with 1,050 horsepower — enough to reach 578 km/h.
This model has a practical ceiling of 10,668 meters, which is significant for a turboprop general aviation aircraft. This performance is made possible thanks to a sealed passenger cabin and cockpit. The maximum flight range is 3,345 km. With a take-off weight of 6,800 kg, the payload can reach up to 2,300 kg of cargo.
The aircraft crew consists of 1–2 people, and the maximum cabin capacity is 11 people. Most commercial models can accommodate up to 8–9 people.
The aircraft has retractable landing gear. All modern models feature a glass cockpit with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics, high-resolution LCD displays, and electronic control systems.
King Air planes are widely used around the world as private or corporate aircraft, in charter and air taxi services, as well as for cargo and aerial work. The manufacturer offers solutions that can transform the aircraft, for example, into a medical plane: if necessary, the cabin can accommodate the installation of a stretcher on the seat railing, or an entire portable patient isolation unit (a full-fledged medical module). A large cargo door (1.32 m * 1.32 m) can also be installed. The ability to customize the model to suit your needs is an important feature of the King Air plane.
The Cessna Grand Caravan is a workhorse wearing a business suit
The Cessna Grand Caravan is another turboprop workhorse from Textron, but this one has a single engine. It has been produced since 1984 in various models: passenger, cargo-passenger, cargo, and amphibian.
Prizing the plane's versatility, the world's largest corporations have created entire fleets of turboprop Cessnas that operate in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, including 40-degree frosts. These planes are designed to take off and land in rural conditions — on uneven and rocky fields, short runways, and even on water. Turboprop Grand Caravans are used for a variety of purposes, from air ambulances to ground transportation.
Private owners of these rugged, reliable aircraft turn their weekends into unforgettable adventures, as the plane is designed to fly to places where the local fishermen are bears.
Anyone interested in a Cessna turboprop should take a look at the 208 series variant called the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX, which was designed in 2012. This model has several improved features and a powerful engine.
The new model uses the PT6A-140 variant of the same popular PT6 engine, providing 867 HP. The maximum cruising speed of the aircraft is 360 km/h, but speed is not the most important consideration for such planes.
The cockpit is equipped with a state-of-the-art Garmin G1000 navigation system, and the aircraft itself is protected from icing, which affected earlier models in the Caravan series.
The Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX can accommodate up to 14 people with luggage or 1,520 kg of cargo. This is almost twice as much as the previous Grand Caravan model could offer.
The aircraft cabin can be converted into a VIP, cargo, or combined configuration. The Cessna's top trim levels offer several Oasis interior design options, which will delight passengers with convertible seats that feature genuine leather upholstery and leather trim elements, as well as a minibar and personal TVs. Customers can choose the number of seats and options from a catalogue. The VIP configuration offers several cabin options for seven, six, or four passengers.
The aircraft crew consists of 1-2 people (two pilots when performing commercial flights). The maximum flight range is 1,785 km. The maximum takeoff weight is 3,995 kg. The maximum flight altitude is 7,620 m.
The multitasking jet of the Cessna family
The CJ3's stretched cabin is the best choice in the light jet category, combining performance, efficiency, and comfort. The plane's cabin is 1.47 m tall, 1.47 m wide, and 5.51 m long. This aircraft is ideal for short and medium-haul flights: the maximum flight range is up to 3,700 km.
Powered by two Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 engines, the CJ3 can reach a maximum cruising speed of 815 km/h. The aircraft's climb rate and operational altitude of up to 12,497 m ensure fast flights.
The CJ3 is equipped with a Collins Pro Line 21, which provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness and navigation capabilities.
The CJ3+ is equipped with a Garmin G3000 avionic system, which provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness and navigation capabilities.
Owners also love their jet for its economic operation, which is especially important when traveling frequently. When contemplating whether to buy a CJ3, the decisive factor will be its price-to-quality ratio, which is what makes it one of the best choices, providing an excellent solution for both businesses and individuals.
A sports car in the air
If we continue our comparison of Textron aircraft to cars, the Cessna Citation X, as the fastest civilian aircraft in the world for a long time, is like a sports car. Its maximum speed is an incredible 973 km/h. This is a plane for those who value time and speed above all. A flight that takes 5 hours on a regular private jet will take 4 comfortable hours in the Citation X.
The Citation X's exterior is a work of art, and its interior is a refined expression of American functionality. Depending on the configuration, the Citation X cabin can accommodate between 8 and 11 passengers. The interior of each aircraft is created to meet the individual requirements of the owner. Passengers can perform any work and hold meetings and negotiations. Want to relax? You can unfold the comfortable leather chairs, converting them into full-fledged sleeping accommodations.
The aircraft is equipped with a satellite phone, Internet access, an Airshow system that provides real-time flight information, and a digital in-flight entertainment system. The spacious luggage compartment is located in the tail section of the aircraft and is isolated from the cabin.
Many Citation X owners pilot the plane themselves, which is understandable as driving a sports car is a special kind of pleasure for real adventurers.
The aircraft crew consists of 2 people. The cabin measures 7.29 m long, 1.68 m wide, and 1.73 m tall. The luggage compartment is 2.3 cubic meters. The practical ceiling of this model is 15,545 meters. The maximum flight range is 6,020 km. The maximum takeoff weight is 16,375 kg, and the maximum payload is 6,486 kg.
Mint condition
Pure Technics, an aviation service center providing comprehensive solutions for servicing and maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft and helicopters in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, is now ready to offer its services to owners and operators of King Air B300 aircraft.
Thanks to cooperation between Pure Technics and Textron Aviation Inc., which manufactures King Air and Cessna planes, buyers of these aircraft are guaranteed to receive highly professional services for line and base maintenance, assistance related to training of technicians and pilots, technical management, supply of spare parts and consumables, as well as fast and high-quality support in AOG situations.
Being able to ensure your aircraft is in mint technical condition is another big plus when buying Textron aircraft in the Central Asian region.