Commuter Air Technology, Inc
The history of Commuter Air Technology began in 1982 with aviation consultant Keith Nickels. While managing the aircraft sales department for Tiger Air, a division of Flying Tiger Airlines, Keith specialized in selling piston-powered, twin-engine airplanes to the commuter market. Due in part to this association he picked up on a market gap that would form the basis for Commuter Air Technology, Inc.
At that time, Commuter and Part 135 operators were expressing the need for safe, high-performance aircraft. They sought in vain for an affordable 13-15 passenger, pressurized, turbo-prop aircraft with large speed, range, and payload capabilities. Typically, these operators had thin route structures that could not support aircraft with high acquisition or operational costs; furthermore, they needed an airplane which could still manage to profit at less than full capacity.
Fortunately, Keith Nickels realized that an aircraft of this type simply did not exist and set out to fill the void. In 1986 the new 13-passenger airliner was introduced into the marketplace. Dubbed the CATPASS 100 (CATPASS is an acronym for Commuter Air Technology's Performance And Safety Systems) its immediate success surprised many, but not Keith Nickels. Not content with his triumph, Keith and his engineering team added further enhancements and subsequently produced the CATPASS 200 series. Based on the Super King Air 200 airframe, the latest evolution is the highly enhanced CATPASS 250 series. Currently, there are more than 80 CATPASS aircraft flying worldwide.
Today and the future...
Today, the CATPASS 250 series embodies all of the finest enhancements available for the King Air, and is available in various configurations to satisfy different mission requirements. For instance, the CATPASS 250 AIRLINER can accommodate up to 13-passengers and their baggage comfortably, making it the least expensive twin-engine turboprop available in the 12-15 passenger range. The CATPASS 250 FREIGHT EXPEDITOR has a 453 cubic foot capacity and can handle more than one and a half tons of payload, while its 64-inch by 50-inch door accommodates bulky cargo. The luxurious CATPASS 250 EXECUTIVE will transport 8-10 passengers and their luggage in style.
One of the most useful aspects of the CATPASS 250 is that any of the configurations can be combined to allow the aircraft to serve multi-role functions; different "Quick-Change" conversion options make this possible. For example, combining the enhancements found in the CATPASS 250 AIRLINER, and FREIGHT EXPEDITOR models enables an owner to run a 13-passenger Part 135 operation during the day and cargo hauling at night. Alternatively, the commuter operator can transform the CATPASS 250 into a corporate executive shuttle when needed. These changeovers can take as little as one hour to complete!
Commuter Air Technology, Inc., also markets over 65 innovative products for the King Air family, including their own line of enhancement products, with more to come in the near future! These enhancements further boost the safety, performance and value of the extraordinary King Air series. Individual enhancements, as well as complete packages, are now available to corporate, commercial, defense and civil aviation markets. SPECIAL MISSIONS MODIFICATIONS are also available to qualifying parties.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
To provide the industry standard for low cost quality enhancement products for the Beechcraft King Air series aircraft; Through total commitment to quality products, services, and people with superior financial results for the operator.