The Commuter Air Technology (CAT) NBAA ’02 exhibit (Booth No. 1460) emphasizes new additions and improvements for its Catpass King Air program. Sharon Thuell, president of the Scottsdale, Ariz. company, noted that Catpass stands for commuter air technology performance and safety systems. Thuell reported the exhibit focuses on three King Air programs: development of three new versions of the Exhaust Gas Extractor (EGE); delivery of a special missions catpass 250 to an Israeli aircraft company; and delivery of another Catpass 250 configuration to a Canadian charter carrier.
Once Commuter Air gains STCs from the FAA on the new EGE versions, Thuell noted, the approvals would cover all King Air 200 aircraft produced since 1987 and all King Air C90s. The EGE system, first certified five years ago, is designed to reduce back pressure by porting hot gases out faster than the original unit and employs a special ceramic coating (Ceramatile) on the inside and outside surfaces of the exhaust manifold to “virtually eliminate cracking, pitting and surface soot.” Experience with hundreds of King Airs worldwide, the company stated, has indicated almost no racking while improving aircraft performance by up to 10 knots and “reducing fuel consumption up to 20 lb/hr per engine.”
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