Flight Notes— how to fly the King Air 350
With more than 5,000 delivered, there is no other turbine-powered business aircraft that can match the success of the Beech King Air. At times, nearly 90 percent of the cabin-class turboprops in the world have been King Airs. Designed as a turbine-powered alternative to the Queen Air, the King Air eventually supplanted the Queen Air as the number one choice in executive turboprops.
The King Air in all its variants is a beautiful airplane with classic styling and graceful lines. Many of the improvements over the years have provided better aerodynamic efficiency, increased muscle under the cowlings, greater speed, upgraded avionics and electrical systems, and increased cabin luxury. In addition to duties as a corporate shuttle, the plane is also available in cargo configurations.
A significant design change that would set the tone for future models in the line was the Model 200 Super King Air. A swept T-tail design was adopted, allowing the stabilizer and elevator to operate in relatively smooth, undisturbed air, out of the wing's downwash. It also gave the King Air a rakish new look. The length, wingspan, and power were increased, resulting in a greater useful load. The plane carried eight passengers in a pressurized cabin altitude of 6,740 feet at 25,000 feet.
Along with other improvements, Beech experimented with putting turbofan engines on the King Air. A test bed was flown with this modification, but the idea was never put into production.
The latest derivative of the King Air is the Model 350. With the most powerful engines on a King Air to date (1,050 shaft horsepower) and a fuselage 34 inches longer than the Model 300, the 350 sits at the pinnacle of a great lineage. It can seat up to 11 passengers in double-club chair arrangements that are standard in this plush airplane. A small galley and an in-flight entertainment system provide a level of comfort King Air customers have come to expect. Distinctive winglets are the most obvious external feature that make the 350 easy to distinguish from its King Air siblings on the airport ramp.
The entire King Air line is characterized by a great basic design that has only improved over the decades. It is a legend that continues to be a top pick for corporate flight operations. The King Air is a plane that richly deserves its regal moniker.
The elegant King Air is a high-performance, pressurized-cabin, twin-engine, turboprop airplane. Most often employed as a corporate transport, it usually seats from 9 to 11 (although it's certified for up to 17 people). The structure is distinguished by its efficient wing and NASA-designed winglets. The T-tail on the Super King Airs was designed to provide improved aerodynamics, lighter control forces, and a wider center-of-gravity range.
Many a young pilot has stepped up from more lowly positions to corporate flying in the right seat of a King Air. Piloting the beautiful Beech is a good transition toward the more complex world of turbine engines and larger aircraft.
Specifications
| U.S. | Metric | |
| Cruise Speed | 315 knots 363 mph | 583 km per hour |
| Engines | Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A 1,050 shaft horsepower | |
| Maximum Range | 1,765 nm VFR 1,582 nm IFR 1,648 miles | 3,509 km |
| Service Ceiling | 35,000 feet | 10,668 meters |
| Fuel Capacity | 539 U.S. gallons | 2,040 liters |
| Maximum Gross Weight | 15,000 pounds | 6818 kilograms |
| Length | 46.7 feet | 14.23 meters |
| Wingspan | 57.9 feet | 17.65 meters |
| Height | 14.3 feet | 4.36 meters |
| Seating | Up to 11 | |
| Useful Load | 5,910 pounds | 2,681 kilograms |