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Textron Takes Over Beech.

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Old 27th Dec 2013, 02:34
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Textron Takes Over Beech.

From today's Avweb (USA)....

"Textron Confirms Beech Acquisition
Textron, the parent company of Cessna and Bell Helicopter, has confirmed it will purchase Beechcraft Corp. for approximately $1.4 billion in cash, in a press release issued late on Thursday. "The acquisition of Beechcraft is a tremendous opportunity to extend our general aviation business," said Textron CEO Scott Donnelly."

And so, the Aviation World continues to get a little bit 'smaller'....

Cheers
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 03:04
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Hope that doesn't spell the end of the King Air!
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 03:07
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I guess we will now have the Cessna King Air, Cessna Baron and Cessna Bonaza.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 03:14
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Cessna Bonaza.
Go and wash your mouth out
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 03:39
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Or, maybe, a Bell Cessna VTOL 'Kingair'.....???



Cheers
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 04:35
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From where I sit this appears to be a good thing. Don't forget that Textron also own Lycoming, so there may be a few engine changes there.

Based on their current models, there appears to be very little overlap between Beech and Cessna models. Cessna have not produced a a piston or turboprop twin for over 20 years, so the Baron and Kingair will slide nicely into the range. Beech on the other hand do not currently produce any fixed-gear piston singles or utility turboprop singles, and apart from the Premier have not had much success in the jet field. The Caravan and Citation will fit nicely there.

Additionally, they would appear to be a company committed to aviation, and GA in particular. One strong company producing a reasonably full range of aircraft can only be good.

Last edited by chimbu warrior; 27th Dec 2013 at 04:36. Reason: clarity
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 09:41
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Installing a piston Lycoming in place of a Continental would be an engineering nightmare due to different engine mounts. Any know it it's been done?
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 10:34
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Hardly a nightmare, one only need to look to the new (Textron) production model 182s that switched to Lycoming power to see that it is a minor issue. Some models of the Baron also had Lycomings installed. Interestingly, the Skycatcher was designed specifically for a TCM engine. I don't expect many changes in powerplant selection.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 11:52
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Chimbu Warrior has nailed it.

Mind you after dropping a $95 spark plug that went in the bin, the Bonza could do with a redesign and an IO540.

Yes many LAME's and pilots would have screwed the plug in…….but wonder why later it ended in a trashed engine.



I think the Textron buy is an excellent strategic move. If and only if I think a resurgence, (no not recovery) of GA world wide is on the cusp of a 5 year recovery.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 12:48
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Right then, expensive redesign due to some dufus dropping a spark plug? When did a failed spark plug ever "trash" an engine? I'll be highly surprised if we see much, if any changes in powerplant manufacturers
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 13:02
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When did a failed spark plug ever "trash" an engine?
When the centre bit drops out and gets chewed up by the piston.

Sorry, I don't have my log book with me but I will get the exact date when I get home and post it here!

Dr
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 13:38
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And the result was a "trashed engine?" Sounds more like a simple cylinder repair.

Either way, can't design out stupid.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 19:29
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Ferry dude, it's in the data, trashed engines from dropped spark plugs, believe it.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 21:26
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Mind you after dropping a $95 spark plug that went in the bin, the Bonza could do with a redesign and an IO540.

Yes many LAME's and pilots would have screwed the plug in…….but wonder why later it ended in a trashed engine.
Pray tell how this could not also occur in a Lycoming?
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 21:52
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Back to the topic

I notice in the press release that they mention the benefits of the King Air and Hawker 4000 to the Cessna range.

No mention of the piston aircraft?

From the way the new brooms at Cessna are attempting to make obsolete the legacy fleet and the "no future" comments re the C162 I would be concerned that the Bo and the Baron are also in threat.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 22:31
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Dropped spark plugs are not an issue with Diesel Lycomings.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 22:39
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Ahh Mr King of Beach!!!

Very Simple, a Lycoming IO540 on dynamical mounts with a redesigned cowl might just get a chance at having spark plugs that are accessible by human hands. Cylinder 6 I think (front left) it was DOH!!

I think someone said something about a DUFUS…Yup that was me!

When did a failed spark plug ever "trash" an engine?
Ferry Dude, if you are actually a ferry pilot and ferrying piston aircraft you might want to learn a lot more about the humble spark plug. PM me your email address and I can send you some interesting reading.

The failure mode of a dropped plug is from a cracked ceramic. This then manifests itself by either a non heat sinking ceramic part or now non heat sinking electrode tip that starts off a preignition event. This then destroys the piston inside a minute or two, and after that 5-6 minutes later the engine runs out of oil and seizes.

A preignition event can be cured if caught very quickly by an alert and knowledgable pilot with an engine monitor. The problem for a ferry pilot is then one of fuel management if it happens at a critical point in the trip, but it buys you time at least.
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 22:54
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Ahh Mr King of Beach!!!

Very Simple, a Lycoming IO540 on dynamical mounts with a redesigned cowl might just get a chance at having spark plugs that are accessible by human hands. Cylinder 6 I think (front left) it was DOH!!
I fail to see the problem. I have no trouble at all removing and installing IO520 spark plugs in a Bonanza....however my awesomeness knows no bounds (as you are no doubt aware).

I think someone said something about a DUFUS…Yup that was me!
Don't be so hard on yourself Jabba
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Old 27th Dec 2013, 23:49
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Total nonsense.
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Old 28th Dec 2013, 00:11
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Damned apple spelling correction…..that should have read dynafocal but I assume you got that.

And yes Beachie, your awesomeness is plentiful!

Ferrydude,

Maybe my bitching about the ease of replacing the front left lower plug is a bit …well….being soft/precious/whinging. But if you are claiming total nonsense about dropped spark plugs and trashed engines, I have a number of, and can round up plenty more data files, photo's and piles of scrap metal for you to provide an alternate hypothesis for the damage.

Please educate us as to how this is
Total nonsense.
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