This article is about 90 and 100 Series King Airs. For
200 and 300 Series King Airs, see the Beechcraft Super King Air
article.
The
Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line
of twin-
turboprop aircraft produced by the
Beech Aircraft Corporation (now Beechcraft
Division of
Hawker Beechcraft).
The King Air line comprises a number of models that have been
divided into two families; the Model 90 and 100 series are known as
King Airs, while the Model 200 and 300 series were originally
marketed as
Super King Airs, with
"Super" being dropped by Beechcraft in 1996 (although it is still
often used to differentiate the 200 and 300 series King Airs from
their smaller stablemates).
The King Air was the first aircraft in its class and has been in
continuous production since 1964. It has outsold all of its
turboprop competitors combined and is the only small twin-turboprop
business aircraft in production. It now faces competition from jet
aircraft such as the
Beechcraft
Premier I and
Cessna
Citation Mustang as well as newer single-engine turboprop
aircraft, namely the
Piper Malibu and
Socata TBM.
Development
Model 90 series
The Model 90 King Air was conceived as the
Model
120 in 1961. In May 1963, Beechcraft began test flights of
the proof-of-concept
Model 87, a modified
Queen Air with
Pratt & Whitney Canada
PT6A-6 engines. On 14 July, Beech announced a new type, and a
month later began accepting orders for the "King Air", with
deliveries to commence in Autumn 1964. After 10 months of test
flying, in 1964 the Model 87 was delivered to the
United States Army as the NU-8F. On 24
January, the first definitive prototype, by now designated
Model 65-90 and also fitted with PT6A-6 engines,
flew for the first time. The first production aircraft was
delivered on 8 October, and by the end of the month ,152 aircraft
had been ordered; by year's end, seven had been built.
In 1966, after 112 65-90s were completed, production switched to
the
Model 65-A90 with PT6A-20 engines. As a
measure of the type's popularity, 206 65-A90s were built in less
than two years when production switched to the
Model
B90, the first of these rolling off the production line in
1968. Military versions built during these years included the
65-A90-1,
65-A90-2,
65-A90-3, and
65-A90-4, all being
unpressurised models based on the Model 87. These were produced for
the US Army which designated them U-21s of various sub-models; many
were fitted out for electronic battlefield surveillance. A total of
162 of these were built between 1967 and 1971.
A total of 184 B90 models were produced before the
Model
C90 was introduced in 1971, with wingspan increased over
earlier models by to 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m), Maximum Take-Off Weight
(MTOW) increased by to 9,650 lb (4,378 kg), and PT6A-20A engines.
The broadly similar
Model E90 was introduced the
following year, with PT6A-28 engines; the two were produced in
parallel. Further refinement of the 90 series resulted in the
Model F90 and follow-on
Model
F90-1. The F-models featured the T-tail of the
Model 200 King Air mated to the fuselage and wings
of the E90, with PT6A-135 engines of 750 shp (560 kW) driving
four-bladed propellers. The F90 prototype flew on 16 January 1978
and 203 production versions followed between 1979 and 1983, when
the F90 was superseded by the F90-1. The F90 prototype was
re-engined with
Garrett
AiResearch TPE-331 engines to test the feasibility of a
Model G90, but this model was not put into
production.
The
Model C90-1 entered production in 1982 after
507 C90s and 347 E90s had been built, and featured PT6A-21 engines
and improvements to the pressurisation system. 54 were built. The
following year the F90-1 was put into production with redesigned
engine cowlings, upgraded PT6A-135A engines, hydraulic landing
gear, and triple-fed electrical bus; only 33 were built by the time
production terminated in 1985. The C90-1 was soon followed by the
Model C90A, which featured the redesigned engine
cowlings of the F90-1. The C90A received an increase in MTOW in
1987, being certified to 10,100 lb (4,580 kg). The C90A model was
in production until 1992, by which time 235 had been built, all but
74 with the increased MTOW.
Only two C90As were built in 1992, the
Model C90B
followed that year with airframe improvements, four-bladed
propellers, and propeller synchrophasing, all in an effort to
reduce cabin noise. This model also had PT6A-21s; the first
production C90B was fitted with the 10,000th PT6 engine delivered
to Beechcraft. In 1994 a cheaper version was introduced as the
C90SE (Special Edition), with three-bladed
propellers, standardised interior and mechanical instruments
instead of the
Electronic Flight Instrument
System (EFIS) fitted to the C90B. A total of 456 C90Bs and
C90SEs were delivered by the time production of these models ended
in late 2005.
In July 2005, during the
Oshkosh
Airshow, Beechcraft introduced the
C90GT. The
C90GT was fitted with PT6A-135As,
flat
rated to the same as the earlier King Airs. This engine change
increased performance due to lower operating temperatures,
improving both cruise speed and climb rate. With a 275 kt (509
km/h, 316 mph) cruise speed, the C90GT was highly competitive with
the new generation of
Very Light Jets
over short to medium distances, while providing a larger and more
luxurious cabin. C90GT deliveries commenced at the beginning of
2006.
On
21 May 2007, during the 7th Annual European Business
Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva
, Beechcraft
announced the Model C90GTi updated version of the
C90GT, featuring the Rockwell
Collins Proline 21 avionics
package previously only offered for the B200 and B300 King
Airs. Deliveries commenced in 2008 after 97 C90GTs were
delilvered to customers over the previous two years.
Model 100 series
A Model B100 King Air with Garrett
engines
The
Model 100 is a stretched derivative of the
Model 90 featuring five cabin windows instead of the Model 90's
three; MTOW increased by 1,300 lb (590 kg) over the 90, to 10,600
lb (4,810 kg). The 100 used the wings, tail, and engines (two
PT6A-28 engines rated at 620 shp) from the
Model 99 airline, itself a development
of the Queen Air (as was the Model 90).
The Model 100 was flown for the first time on 17 March 1969 and
unveiled to the public in May. 89 Model 100s were built before it
was superseded by the
Model A100 in 1972, with a
further increase in MTOW to 11,500 lb (5,220 kg), fuel capacity
increased by 94
US Gallon (357 litres), and
four-bladed propellers. A total of 157 A100s were built by the time
production of this model ceased in 1979. The next in the series was
the
B100, which featured Garrett AiResearch
TPE-331 engines as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitneys
offered on other King Airs, and another increase in MTOW to 11,800
lb (5,350 kg). The B100 was introduced in 1976 and was produced
concurrently with the A100 for several years; manufacture ceased in
1983 after 137 were built. The
Model 200 Super King Air was
developed from the Model 100, with the same fuselage design (with
some differences, mainly associated with the different tails) being
used for both models. The Model 200 had different wings and a
T-tail and entered service in 1974.
Military King Air versions
The
Japan Maritime
Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has operated a total of 40 C90 and
C90A King Airs, with deliveries beginning in 1973. These have been
given various designations by the JMSDF and consist of 34
TC-90 trainers, five
LC-90
transports and a single
UC-90 which is configured
for photographic aerial survey. The TC-90s and the UC-90 comprise
the
202 Kyoiku Kokutai (Training Squadron) based
at
Tokushima, while the LC-90s
are attached to various Lockheed P-3
Kokutai (Squadrons)
and a
NAMC YS-11 Kokutai as
liaison aircraft. In late 2005 the JMSDF marked 500,000
accident-free flying hours of the TC-90 trainer fleet.
US Navy T-44A Pegasus
The U.S. military has used King Air 90s in various roles, primarily
VIP and liaison transport, with designations including the
VC-6A, the
T-44 Pegasus, and the
U-21 Ute. The U-21 Ute used by the US Army was the
most common version.
Most U-21s were unpressurized Model 87 derivatives, but there were
also five U-21Fs based on the A100 King Air; and three U-21Js,
which Beechcraft designated
Model A100-1, but were
actually the first three production
Model 200 Super King
Airs (C/Ns BB-3, BB-4 and BB-5, after prototypes C/N BB-1
and BB-2 had been built). The majority of U-21s were delivered as
U-21As (102 65-A90-1s), but there were also four RU-21As
(65-A90-1s), three RU-21Bs (65-A90-2s), two RU-21Cs (65-A90-3s), 18
RU-21Ds (65-A90-1s), 16 RU-21Es (65-A90-4s), and 17 RU-21Gs
(65-A90-1s). The RU-21Es (except one written off) were later
converted to U-21Hs and RU-21Hs, with two U-21Hs and an RU-21H
being further converted to JU-21Hs. As of August 2008, only the
three surviving RU-21As remain in military service.
The majority of the
U-21 series were retired in the second half of the 1990s and most
are now owned by Dynamic Aviation of Bridgewater,
Virginia
. Some have been modified as spraying
aircraft and are used on insect control work.
The T-44A Pegasus is a trainer version, designated the
Model H90 by Beechcraft, used to train
United States Navy,
Marine Corps,
Coast Guard, and Air Force pilots
to fly multi-engine aircraft. A total of 61 were delivered to the
US Navy between 1977 and 1980. In August 2006, the Navy announced
that after 29 years of operation, the T-44A fleet would be upgraded
with modernized avionics systems, and redesignated T-44Cs.
VC-6A used as Air Force One
Two VC-6A aircraft were operated by the US military. One was a
Model 65-A90 operated by the US Army and serialled 66-15361, the
other a B90 operated by the
United States Air Force as
Air Force One.
Air Force One
During the administration of
President Lyndon Johnson, the
United States Air Force acquired a
Model B90 King Air "off-the-shelf".
With the military designation
VC-6A, the aircraft, serialled 66-7943, was used
to transport President Johnson between Bergstrom Air
Force Base
(near Austin, Texas
) and the Johnson family ranch near Johnson City,
Texas
. When Johnson was aboard, the aircraft used
the callsign
Air Force One.
This
aircraft is now on display, with other presidential aircraft, at
the National Museum of the United States Air
Force
at Wright Patterson Air Force Base
near Dayton,
Ohio
.
Modification and upgrade programs
A B100 King Air modified with
five-bladed propellers
A number of aftermarket modifications and upgrades are available
for 90 and 100 Series King Airs. An engine upgrade involves
earlier-build 90 Series aircraft being re-engined with the
PT6A-135A engines of the C90GT. A more radical re-engining program
involves the replacement of the PT6s in C90 and E90 King Airs with
TPE-331s.
Among the numerous airframe modifications available; a cargo
conversion for the 90 model, the CargoLiner, which replaces the
rear door with a large pallet accessible cargo door, a heavy duty
floor structure and cabin cargo liner, also a crew hatch for
cockpit access for the crew in the 90, 100, and 200; a Wing Front
Spar Reinforcement Kit for both 90 and 100 Series aircraft,; a
modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking
and extending the nose to house a baggage compartment as well as
the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft.
Modifications available for the King Air 100 include a belly cargo
pod similar to those fitted to the Beech 99 and the Model 1300
version of the King Air 200 series.
Operators
Military operators
Eight C90A King Airs were operated by
Bombardier on behalf of the
Canadian Air Force. These were
used as multi-engine trainers and flew with Canadian civil
registrations. All entered service in 1992 and were operated until
2005. That year a new contract was awarded to
Allied
Wings, a consortium of
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.,
Canadian Helicopters Ltd,
Canadian
Base Operators and
Atlantis Systems
International, which uses seven civil-registered C90B King
Airs.
Governmental operators
- Government of Province of Tierra del Fuego and Catamarca.
- Government of Canada
- Government of the Province of New Brunswick
- Government of the Province of Alberta
- Chile's Civil Aviation Administration (DGAC).
The
Department of Civil Aviation of Papua New
Guinea
operated a C90 King Air for a number of years, but
now operates a Model 200 Super King Air.
Civil operators
The
Royal
Flying Doctor Service of Australia previously operated a large
number of 90 Series King Airs, but retired the last example in
2006, standardising on the King Air 200 Series and the
Pilatus PC-12 for its fleet requirements. Two
of the former RFDS C90 King Airs are now operated by the
New Tribes Mission in Papua New
Guinea.
Variants
A total of more than 3,100 King Air 90 and 100 series aircraft have
been delivered as of August 2008:
Beechcraft designations
- "Proof-of-concept" test aircraft; one built (c/no. LG-1).
- Prototypes and first production model; 112 built (c/nos. LJ-1
to LJ-113, except LJ-76).
- 206 built (c/nos. LJ-76, LJ-114 to LJ-317; including c/nos.
LJ-178 and LJ-178A), one (c/no. LJ-153) to US Army as VC-6A.
- Based on the Model 87; 141 built and delivered to the US Army
(c/nos. LM-1 to LM-141).
- Based on the Model 87; three built and delivered to the US Army
(c/nos. LS-1 to LS-3).
- Based on the Model 87; two built and delivered to the US Army
(c/nos. LT-1 and LT-2).
- Based on the Model 87; 16 built and delivered to the US Army
(c/nos. LU-1 to LU-16).
- Third civil model; 184 built (c/nos. LJ-318 to LJ-501), one
(c/no. LJ-320) to USAF as VC-6A.
- Model C90
- C90 - initial production run between 1971 and
1982 of 507 aircraft (c/nos. LJ-502 to LJ-1010, except LJ-986 and
LJ-996).
- C90-1 - marketing name for C90 with increased
maximum cabin pressure differential, 54 built in 1982 and 1983
(c/nos. LJ-986 and LJ-996, LJ-1011 to LJ-1062).
- Model C90A
- C90A - initial production run between 1984 and
1992 of 235 aircraft (c/nos. LJ-1063 to LJ-1299, except LJ-1288 and
LJ-1295).
- C90B and C90SE - marketing
names for updated versions of C90A produced between 1992 and 2005,
456 built (c/nos. LJ-1288 and LJ-1295, LJ-1300 to LJ-1755, except
LJ-1727 and LJ-1754).
- Model C90GT
- Version with flat-rated PT6A-135A engines; 97 built (c/nos.
LJ-1727, LJ-1754, LJ-1756 thru LJ-1768, LJ-1770 thru LJ-1846,
LJ-1848 thru LJ-1852).
- Current production version (as of December 2008), variant of
C90GT with Proline 21 avionics suite; at least 90 built (c/nos.
LJ-1769, LJ-1847, LJ-1853 & after).
- Manufactured concurrently with the C90; 347 built (c/nos. LW-1
to LW-347).
- Prototype and production model with T-tail of the Super King
Air; 203 built (c/nos. LA-1 to LA-204, except LA-202).
- Follow-on from F90; 33 built (c/nos. LA-202, LA-205 to
LA-236).
- F90 prototype re-engined with Garrett TPE-331s in place of the
Pratt & Whitney PT6s originally fitted, c/no. LA-1/LE-0.
- Version manufactured for the US Navy; 61 built (c/nos. LL-1 to
LL-61).
- Prototype and first production "long fuselage" King Air
version; 90 built (c/nos. B-1 to B-89 and B-93).
- 157 built (c/nos B-90 to B-247, except B-93), prototype Model
100 c/no. B-1 also converted to A100 model in 1976, three years
after introduction of A100 model. Five (c/nos. B-95 to B-99) to US
Army as U-21Fs.
- Prototype (converted from A100 c/no. B-205) plus production
model, all with Garrett TPE-331 engines instead of Pratt &
Whitney PT6s fitted to previous models; 137 built (c/nos.
B-205/BE-1, BE-2 to BE-137).
- Beechcraft designation for first three production Model 200
Super King Airs delivered to the US Army (c/nos. BB-3 to
BB-5).
Military versions
- YU-21
- Modification of L-23 Seminole with PT6A-6 tuboprops. One
converted.
- U-21A Ute
- Utility aircraft for US Army, with fuselage of Queen Air 65-80
and wings of King Air 65-90, powered by 550 hp (410 kW)
PT6A-20s. Beechcraft Model 65-A90-1. 102 built.
- ;EU-21A
- :Conversion of at least five U-21As as radio relay aircraft for
use over Vietnam. Later re-converted to
U-21A standard.
- ;JU-21A
- :Conversion of three U-21As with Left Jab Signals intelligence (SIGINT) system.
Two later re-converted to U-21A standard.
- ;RU-21A
- :Conversion of four U-21As to carry Direction finding equiment as part of
Cefirm Leader program, to work with RU-21B and RU-21C
aircraft.
- RU-21B
- Signals intercept aircraft as part of Cefirm Leader
program. Powered by 620 hp (462 kW) PT6A-29s and with
modified undercarriage. Beechcraft Model 65-A90-2. Three
built.
- RU-21C
- :Similar to RU-21B, but carrying jamming equipment as part of
Cefirm Leader. Beechcraft model 65-A90-3. Two built.
- RU-21D
- ELINT aircraft similar to U-21A. It was unsucessful and dd not
reach service, with several having their electronic equipment
removed to become U-21D utility aircraft.
Beechcraft Model 65-A90-1. 18 built.
- RU-21E
- ELINT version with Guardrail II, IIA or
IV systems. Beechcraft Model 65-A90-5. 16 built.
- U-21F
- Five King Air A100s used by US Army as transport/utility
aircraft.
- U-21G Ute
- U-21A with modified cockpit, mainly used as utility aircraft.
Beechcraft Model 65-A90-1. 17 built.
- ;RU-21G
- :Three U-21Gs fitted with Guardrail I ELINT
system.
- RU-21H
- Conversion of 21 RU-21D, E and F aircraft to carry
Guardrail V ELINT system. Higher gross weight.
- U-21H Ute
- Modification of 23 RU-21E and G aircraft replaced in the ELINT
role by later aircraft to utility aircraft.
- JU-21H
- Two former RU-21Es converted as test aircraft.
- VC-6A
- Two B90 King Airs, powered by 550 shp (410 kW)
PT6A-20s. One used as transport by US Army, and one by USAF as VIP
transport for President Lyndon B.
Johnson.
- T-44A Pegasus
- Multi-engine training aircraft for US Navy, based on King Air
B90. Beechcraft Model H-90. 61 built.
Other information
The
ICAO
designator, such as might be used in a PIREP or a flight plan, for
the various King Airs are BE90 (various model 90s), and BE10 (model
100).With the exception of the F90 and F90-1, all 90 Series
King Airs have been produced under the same Type Certificate
(Number 3A20) used for Queen Air production. All 100 Series King
Airs were produced under the same Type Certificate (Number A14CE)
used for Model 99 production.
Specifications
King Air C90GTi
Specifications obtained from the FAA Type Certificate and the
Hawker Beechcraft website
King Air B100
Specifications obtained from The International Directory
of Civil Aircraft
, 1997/98 Edition.
See also
References
Notes
- Beech King Air timeline retrieved 2008-08-07.
- Green, William. "Beech 65-90 King Air", The Observer's Book
of Aircraft, 1965 Edition. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.,
London. No ISBN, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 57-4425.
- R.W.Simpson, Airlife's General Aviation, Airlife
Publishing, England, 1991, ISBN 1 85310 104 X, pp 47
- A system fitted to many twin-engined propeller-driven aircraft,
it matches propeller revolutions-per-minute and also "phases" the
position of the blades of each propeller relative to the other, so
the cabin noise is more even.
- Hawker Beechcraft Press Release retrieved
2007-09-20.
- Hawker Beechcraft aircraft Serial Number Lists
1945-2008 retrieved 2008-08-06.
- Japan Maritime Defence Force Order of Battle accessed via
this
webpage, retrieved 2007-10-09.
- Hawker Beechcraft Press Release retrieved
2007-10-09
- USAF FY1970 Serial Number list retrieved 3 September
2007.
- Information derived from LAASdata online King Air 90 survivors database
accessed 2008-08-07.
- Information derived from conducting an online search of the US civil aircraft register
using "LM-" (the serial number prefix for A90-1 aircraft). Search
conducted 2007-09-09.
- Vendrasco, Stephanie, "Transforming the
Pegasus"
- USAF FY1966 Serial Number list retrieved
2007-09-03.
- A list of civil aircraft types used by the US
military retrieved 2007-09-03.
- A
non-comprehensive list of STCs available for King Air series
aircraft retrieved 2007-09-20.
- Silverhawk Conversions Home page retrieved
2008-02-07.
- Blackhawk Modifications Inc. Blackhawk XP page
retrieved 2007-09-20.
- Kilo Alpha web page retrieved 2007-10-16.
- http://www.aerocrafters.net
- FAA STC No. SA00367SE retrieved
2007-09-20.
- Commuter Air Technology King Air 100 page retrieved
2007-09-20.
- List of civil-registered aircraft of the Canadian Armed
Forces retrieved 2007-10-09.
- Pugliese, David. "Taking Wing", retrieved 2007-10-31.
- Canadian civil aircraft register search using
"Allied Wings" as the Owner Name search parameter. Search conducted
2007-10-31.
- Canadian civil aircraft register search using
"Province of" as the Owner Name search parameter. Search conducted
2007-10-31.
- Canadian civil aircraft register search using
"Province of" as the Owner Name search parameter. Search conducted
2007-10-31.
- US civil aircraft register search using "State of" as
the Owner Name search parameter. Search conducted 2007-10-31.
- Unless otherwise noted, all information here is obtained from
Production Lists in the book Beechcraft - Pursuit of
Perfection and the online Production Lists available at
LAASdata.com
- New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Beechcraft
C90A Type Acceptance Report retrieved 9 December 2008.
- Due to disagreement between available online sources, it is
impossible to determine the number of each sub-type built.
- The last King Air C90GTi built as of December 2008 is shown in
the available online sources ( LAASdata King Air 90 list and various nations' online
civil aircraft Registers) as c/no. LJ-1946, however there are gaps
for registered King Airs, with some above c/no. LJ-1900 not
listed.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.88.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.74.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.89.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, pp. 89–90.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.90.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, pp. 90–91.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.91.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.92.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Winter
2003/2004, p.93.
- Kaminsky International Air Power Review Spring 2004,
p.90
- Model 99 and King Air 100 series Type Certificate
Data Sheet retrieved 2008-01-21.
- Queen Air and King Air 90 series Type Certificate
Data Sheet retrieved 2007-09-20.
- Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi Specifications
retrieved 2008-08-07.
- Frawley, Gerald. The International Directory of Civil
Aircraft, 1997/98 Edition. Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd.
Canberra ACT, 1997. ISBN 1 875671 26 9
Bibliography
- Kaminski, Tom. "Variant File: US Military King Airs: Part 1
Beech/Raytheon U-21 and C-12". International Air Power
Review. Volume 11, Winter 2003/2004. ISBN 1-880588-60-9. ISSN
1473-9917. pp. 74–93.
- Kaminski, Tom. "Variant File: US Military King Airs Part 2:
C-12". International Air Power Review. Volume 12, Spring
2004. ISBN 1-880588-77-3. ISSN 1473-9917. pp. 90–98.
- Phillips, Edward H. Beechcraft - Pursuit of Perfection, A
History of Beechcraft Airplanes. Flying Books, Eagan,
Minnesota 1992. ISBN 0-911139-11-7
- Taylor, M. J. H. ed. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation
Studio Editions Ltd. ISBN 1 85170 324 1
External links
, Florida
, Georgia
, Indiana
, Montana
, New Mexico
, Ohio
and Tennessee
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Search