The Beechcraft King Air family has seen many changes over its 60-year history, and there’s a special edition this year to mark the anniversary.
It’s been 60 years since the introduction of the first King Air turboprop by Beech Aircraft in 1964. Building on the company’s success with piston and jet engine aircraft, the Model 90 Beechcraft King Air was intended to bridge the gap between the two. It offered a piston aircraft’s landing flexibility (on small fields and airstrips), but flew higher and faster, with a 270mph (435km/h) cruising speed.
The Model 90 series, which seated six to eight people, gathered orders quickly and 100 were delivered by 1966; rising to 400 by 1968. The aircraft found business, utility and military roles.
A stretch version, the King Air 100, followed in 1969; the A100 in 1972; and the B100 in 1976. A whole new line was born in 1974 with the service introduction of the Super King Air 200. This had largely the same fuselage design as the Model 100, but different wings and a T-tail – still a feature of King Airs today. The King Air 200 has remained on the market for four decades. “Due to its comfortable cabin, capacity capability and economic operation value, it quickly became the aircraft of choice for a wide range of customers with different needs,” says Christi Tannahill, SVP, customer experience, Textron Aviation.
To date, more than 7,800 King Air turboprops have been delivered to customers around the world. The worldwide fleet has surpassed 64 million flight hours in its 60 years, serving roles in all branches of the US military and flying both commercial and special-mission roles. “The King Air has become the best-selling business turboprop family in the world,” says Tannahill.
Current line-up
In 2020, the King Air series was updated with the King Air 260, 360 and 360ER models. “Throughout the evolution of the King Air, we have continually met with customers to understand how to better support their needs,” says Tannahill. “The advancements to the cockpit and the cabin on both the King Air 360 and 260 have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. All of this is the result of continual conversations we have with our customers.”
Big upgrades to the cockpit and interior have rolled out over the family’s 60 years. The latest iterations have a redesigned cabin including reshaped cabinetry, resculpted sidewalls with pinhole lighting, new seat designs and configurations, as well as CoolView windows to offer cooler cabin temperatures and preserve the aircraft’s interior. Additionally, the new passenger variants include a club seating configuration with work tables to accommodate business meetings or meals.
“With technology advancements and evolving requirements, the King Air turboprops now also have sophisticated interior features including leather seats that can swivel and recline, fold-out tables, USB charging as well as power outlets,” says Tannahill.
Avionics upgrades
In the cockpit, the King Air 260, 360 and 360ER are equipped with an IS&S ThrustSense autothrottle system to reduce pilot workload through all phases of flight and also featuring protections for engine over-temp and over-torque scenarios.
“Digital pressurisation controlled through the Flight Management System has also been a significant modern feature of the aircraft,” says Tannahill. “Featuring standard multi-scan weather radar, the new King Air turboprops can provide fully automated, optimal scans showing short-, mid- and far-ranging weather.”
The King Air 360ER is fully reconfigurable, meaning it can be easily modified to become a cargo/passenger carrier or used for missions including medevac, surveillance, training, flight inspections and aerial surveys. It can be configured with high-density seats by removing amenities such as sidewalls with tables, the refreshment centre and the traditional lavatory.
Crimson Edition
To celebrate the 60th anniversary, Textron Aviation announced a special Crimson Edition of the King Air in July. An option for the King Air 260 and 360 turboprops, the Crimson Edition offers a new interior and red and silver exterior paint scheme option.
“The aircraft features a new boarding step with hidden fasteners to create a sleeker appearance for entry and has a graphite silver finish, matching perfectly with the new exterior and interior of the aircraft,” says Tannahill.
The interior integrates Beechcraft elements such as the B logo on the lower sidewalls and aft cabin bulkhead panel. There are dark leather seats with Alcantara accent panels and crimson accent piping, as well as subtle design elements to tie into the aircraft’s diamond anniversary. The flooring is also lined with charcoal carpeting, highlighted by crimson arcs to complement the exterior’s striping.
“There are design elements throughout the aircraft that remind you that it’s a Beechcraft,” says Tannahill. “From the exterior of the aircraft, all the way through the interior, you see subtle reminders of the aircraft’s legacy. Whether it’s the iconic B on the lower sidewalls or the dark leather seats with the crimson accent piping.”
Staying power
Tannahill believes there are several factors to the King Air’s success over the years. “The King Air symbolises our history and commitment to innovation, development and growth,” she says. “Having delivered more than 7,800 King Air turboprops worldwide, our customers know it is an aircraft they can trust and rely on. The aircraft excels in a multitude of missions, making its versatility a great aspect of its success. Its ability to take-off from rugged dirt runways, access remote and challenging locations, support philanthropic missions or embark on new adventures is also why the King Air is known for its dependability and customer satisfaction. Its long history and popularity among pilots and operators can also be credited to its next-generation features that offer the ultimate flying experience.”
Looking to the future, Tannahill shares that Textron Aviation remains committed to continued advancements to meet customers’ evolving needs: “As technology develops and the aviation industry progresses, we are dedicated to setting new benchmarks for the King Air while providing excellence in the passenger experience.”
Images courtesy of Textron Aviation
This feature was written by Izzy Kington and first published in the September/October 2024 edition of Business Jet Interiors International. Click here for the full version.
