Summary The Super King Air 200 offers reliable performance with legendary PT6 turbine power. The King Air 250 incorporates Raisbeck enhancements for improved performance and efficiency. King Air 350i features enhanced cabin comforts and improved performance.
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is a renowned line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. It is known for its versatility and reliability and has remained an important turboprop aircraft for several decades. The family primarily consists of the Model 200 and Model 300 series , which have developed into several variants over the years.
Here is a detailed overview of five notable variants within the Super King Air family: 1 King Air 200 The seasoned King Air and PT-6 power make a reliable combination Beechcraft built 702 King Air 200s between 1974 and 1981. Country Music Hall of Fame member Hank Williams, Jr. owned a King Air 200.
Actor and country musician Hoyt Axton (“Gremlins,” “The Black Stallion”) owned a King Air 200 The King Air 200, introduced in the 1970s, marked a significant advancement from its predecessors with increased cabin size and performance capabilities. It features a T-tail design, which departs from the conventional tail design of earlier models. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines and can carry up to 13 passengers.
Due to its reliability and versatility, it has been widely used in both civilian and military applications. 2 King Air 250 The Super King Air gets winglets, and the Raisbeck treatment The King Air 250 is an upgraded version of the 200 series, introduced in 2010 and incorporating advanced winglets and composite propellers to enhance performance. The upgrades incorporated features of the popular Raisbeck Engineering Super King Air modification into the BE-250, inspired by Raisbeck-modified King Airs.
The King Air 250 incorporates several performance enhancements originally developed by Raisbeck Engineering. For example, it features the Raisbeck Ram Air Recovery System, which improves engine performance and efficiency. Other Raisbeck modifications , such as dual aft body strakes and nacelle wing lockers, have been integrated into the King Air 250.
The Beechcraft King Air series proves to be among the most versatile aircraft in aviation. These modifications improve fuel efficiency, climb rate, and overall speed. The aircraft has a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite, providing pilots with advanced navigation and communication capabilities.
The King Air 250 can accommodate up to 10 passengers and is famous for business travel and air ambulance services. 3 King Air 350i Hawker Beechcraft designs a larger, quieter, better-performing Super King Air Enhanced cabin comfort with vibration dampers and reduced sound levels. Luxurious interior features, such as club seats and electronic shutters.
Improved performance, allowing access to short and unpaved runways. The King Air 350i is known for its spacious and luxurious cabin, making it a preferred choice for business aviation. It features a longer fuselage than the 200 series, allowing up to 11 passengers.
The aircraft has modern amenities such as noise-canceling technology and customizable interior configurations. The 350i also includes advanced avionics and enhanced performance capabilities, making it suitable for short and long-haul flights. 4 King Air 350ER The Super King Air goes long-range when Textron acquires Beechcraft The King Air 350ER is designed for special missions requiring extended flight durations.
It has additional fuel capacity, allowing for longer-range operations, and is ideal for surveillance, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol missions. The aircraft is popular with government agencies worldwide. The 350ER maintains the same cabin comfort as the 350i but is optimized for missions that demand endurance and reliability over extended periods.
5 King Air 360 The Super King Air 360 has improved pressurization and auto throttle These aircraft are planned to be deployed in Scotland. The King Air 360 is the latest iteration in the Super King Air family, featuring significant upgrades in comfort and technology. It includes an enhanced digital pressurization system, reducing cabin altitude for improved passenger comfort.
The aircraft is equipped with the IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle , which aids in reducing pilot workload by optimizing power output. The King Air 360 continues the legacy of the King Air family by combining advanced avionics, improved performance, and luxurious interiors. Aircraft Type Twin-turboprop civil utility aircraft Role Civil utility aircraft Manufacturer Beech Aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft, Raytheon Beechcraft First flight October 27, 1972 Introduced 1972 (military), February 1974 (civil) Primary government users United States Air Force, United States Army, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Royal Australian Air Force Production 1972 - Present Number built >7,800 The many variants of the original King Air and the Super King Air 200 represent a long evolution of the Super King Air family.
Improvements have kept the airplane up to date with advancements in aviation technology, performance, safety, and passenger comfort, keeping these aircraft at the forefront of the turboprop market. Not as expensive as you think?.
