Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 & 350

United States of America

Turboprop powered corporate and utility aircraft

The King Air 300 is an updated version of the successful B200 series, and it itself was replaced by the further improved King Air 350, the latest model in this long running and successful line of corporate and utility transports. <p>Design of an improved development of the successful King Air B200 began in August 1981, the 14 month design effort culminating in the first flight of the modernised 300 model in October the following year. Improvements to the B200 were many, with the main change being the installation of more powerful PT6A60A turboprops in place of the 42s of the earlier model. Other changes included reprofiled and more aerodynamically clean engine cowls and exhausts and extended wing leading edges, plus minor internal changes. Both empty and max takeoff weights were also increased. <p>The max weight was reduced for the 300LW or `Light Weight', intended to minimise the effects of weight based airways user fees, particularly in Europe. The 300AT was an airline pilot trainer. <p>The King Air 300 has been replaced by the 350, its major improvements being a stretched fuselage lengthened by 86cm (2ft 10in) and the addition of winglets. The latest member of the King Air family, it had its first flight in 1988, and has been in production since late 1989. The King Air 350C features a builtin airstair and a 132 x 132cm (52 x 52in) freight door. The 350 is also available in a range of special missions and military variants. <p>The `Super' prefix was dropped from the King Air name in 1996. <p>

Two 783kW (1050shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A60A turboprops driving four blade constant speed Hartzell propellers.

300 - Max cruising speed 583km/h (315kt), economical cruising speed 568km/h (307kt). Initial rate of climb 2844ft/min. Range with max fuel and reserves 3630km (1960nm). 300LW - Same except for max initial rate of climb 3277ft/min. 350 - Max speed 584km/h (315kt), max cruising speed 576km/h (311kt), typical cruising speed 558km/h (301kt). Initial rate of climb 2731ft/min. Range with four passengers and reserves 3763km (2031nm).

300 - Empty 3850kg (8490lb), max takeoff 6350kg (14,000lb). 300LW - Empty same, max takeoff 5670kg (12,500lb). 350 - Empty 4096kg (9030lb), max takeoff 6805kg (15,000lb).

300 & 300LW - Wing span 16.61m (54ft 6in), length 13.36m (43ft 10in), height 4.37m (14ft 4in). Wing area 28.2m2 (303sq ft). 350 - Wing span 17.65m (57ft 11in), length 14.22m (46ft 8in), height 4.37m (14ft 4in). Wing area 28.8m2 (310.0sq ft).

300 - One or two pilots on flightdeck, with standard layout for six passengers in main cabin. Alternative high density seating for 15 (including pilot). 350 - Typical passenger seating for eight in main cabin, optional seating for an extra two, plus one in toilet compartment and one on flightdeck next to the pilot, making a total of 13.

219 King Air 300s were built when production ended in 1991. Production of the 300LW ceased in 1994 after 35 had been built. Over 220 King Air 350s delivered.

Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 & 350