The Beechcraft 1900 is a 19-passenger, pressurized twin-engine turboprop regional airliner manufactured by Beechcraft, now Textron Aviation. The aircraft also serves as a freight aircraft and corporate transport, and is used by governmental and military organizations. It was developed from the Beechcraft Super King Air to carry passengers in all weather conditions from airports with relatively short runways. The original Beechcraft 1900 saw only three built, while the 1900C and the substantially redesigned 1900D became widely used; the 1900D is the most popular version, with 439 of the 695 total aircraft produced. The 1900 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops: the 1900C uses PT6A-65B engines flat rated at 1,100 shaft horsepower, and the 1900D uses PT6A-67D engines rated at 1,279 shaft horsepower. With a cruise speed of up to 280 knots and a range of 382 nautical miles with a full passenger payload, the Beechcraft 1900 can operate from runways as short as 3,740 feet, including grass and gravel surfaces. Production ended in October 2002, and the Beechcraft 1900 remains the most popular 19-passenger airliner in history.
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What is the Beechcraft 1900?
The Beechcraft 1900 is an American twin-engine turboprop regional airliner. It is used as a corporate transport and a freight aircraft, and it is used by several governmental and military organizations. The 1900 is Beechcraft's third regional airliner.
The Beechcraft 1900 is an American twin-engine turboprop regional airliner manufactured by Beechcraft, a division of the Raytheon Company (now Textron Aviation). Developed from the Beechcraft Super King Air, the aircraft was designed to carry passengers in all weather conditions from airports with relatively short runways. It is Beechcraft's third regional airliner after the Beechcraft Model 18 and Beechcraft Model 99 Airliner. The manufacturer transitioned through corporate ownership changes, from Beech Aircraft Corporation to Raytheon Aircraft and eventually to what became Hawker Beechcraft (now part of Textron Aviation). The ICAO designation for the 1900 is B190, a code used in flight plans, pilot weather reports, and for aircraft identification on ATC radar.
A corporate transport version known as the Beechcraft 1900C ExecLiner was also offered, featuring an executive cabin interior rather than the standard commuter layout. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Regulations require two pilots for passenger airline operations, but the 1900 is designed and certificated for single-pilot operation in corporate or cargo settings. Derived from the King Air series, its cockpit operations resemble those of the King Air, facilitating single-pilot operations. The Beechcraft 1900C belongs to one of the most successful 19 seat commuter turboprop families ever produced in the United States. The Beechcraft 1900D is the 19-passenger world-class turbo-prop airliner, one of the most efficient and flexible regional air transport solutions, and the most popular 19-passenger airliner in history. Because of its capability of landing on relatively short landing strips, it is a highly recommended aircraft when travelling to remote locations. The Beechcraft 1900 is a sturdy workhorse and a multi-purpose utility turboprop, although it is no longer produced.
Is the Beechcraft 1900 used as a freighter?
Yes, the Beechcraft 1900 is used as a freighter. It is also used for corporate transport and by several governmental and military organizations. The freight-carrying version is known as the Super Freighter. The 1900D can be used as a small cargo aircraft if seats are removed, and cargo is loaded via the large rear door. Due to its standup cabin, the 1900D has a large internal volume. The 1900D can carry 900 cubic feet of cargo, 30% more than a 1900C. The 1900C has a payload of almost 3,900 pounds (1,769 kilograms).
A supplemental type certificate has been awarded to Alpine Air Express to convert passenger 1900Ds into freighters. This conversion is the Alpine Super Freighter, which has a 40% capacity increase over the 1900C and a useful payload of 7,439 lbs (3,374 kg). Powered by PT6-67D engines, the Super Freighter has a max takeoff weight of 17,120 pounds (7,765 kilograms) and a range of 1,356 nautical miles (2,511 kilometers). It is certified for single pilot cargo operations.
Most Beech 1900 planes have been converted into cargo planes. Ameriflight, Alpine Air, Team Global Express, and GAM Air operate the Beechcraft 1900. One operator flies 32 1900D planes, and 28 of those have been converted to cargo planes, with 10 changes under the STC. The other planes are used as feedstock for conversions.
What are the specifications of the Beechcraft 1900 series?
The specifications of the Beechcraft 1900 series are given in the table below.
| Specification | 1900 | 1900D |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 57 ft 8 in (17.58 m) | 57 ft 8 in (17.58 m) |
| Wingspan | 57 ft 9 in (17.6 m) | 57 ft 9 in (17.6 m) |
| Height | 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) | 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) |
| Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Passengers | 19 | 19 |
| Empty weight | 10,874 lb (4,932 kg) | 10,434 lb (4,733 kg) |
| Max weight | 17,120 lb (7,765 kg) | 17,120 lb (7,765 kg) |
| Fuel | 4,458 lb (2,022 kg) | 4,458 lb (2,022 kg) |
| Engine | PT6A-65B | PT6A-67D |
| Power | 1,100 shp | 1,279 shp |
| Cruise speed | 248 kts | 280 kts |
| Range | 1,399 nm | 570 nm |
| Ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Climb | 2,615 ft/min (797.1 m/min) | 2,615 ft/min (797.1 m/min) |
| Cabin height | 1.473 m (4 ft 10 in) | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Cabin width | 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in) | 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in) |
| Cabin length | 25 ft 3 in (7.62 m 7.62 cm) | 25 ft 2 in (7.62 m) |
| Takeoff | 3,740 ft (1,140 m) | 3,470 ft (1,058 m) |
| Landing | 2,680 ft (817.0 m) | 4,667 ft (1,422 m) |
The Beechcraft 1900 is a pressurised twin engine turboprop that can seat up to 19 passengers. The 1900 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engines. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) varies with model. The 1900D has a max takeoff weight of 17,120 lb (7,764 kg) and an empty weight of 10,874 lb (4,932 kg). Gross weight is 17,227 lb (7,814 kg) and fuel capacity is 4,458 lb (2,022 kg). Cruise speed is 280 kn (518 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,096 m).
The Beechcraft 1900C uses two PT6A-65B engines, each flat rated at 1,100 shaft horsepower (820 kW). Max takeoff weight (MTOW) is 16,600 lb (7,530 kg), up to 17,600 lb (7,983 kg) with optional kit. The propellers are Hartzell four bladed constant speed, full feathering. The 1900C cruises at approximately 248 knots and offers a best range of around 1,399 nautical miles. The 1900D uses two PT6A-67D engines, each rated at 1,279 shp (954 kW). The 1900D has a stand-up cabin. Range with 19 passengers is 382 nmi (707 km) and ferry range is 1,245 nmi (2,306 km).
What engine does the Beechcraft 1900D use?
The Beechcraft 1900D uses two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67D turboprop engines. Each engine is flat rated at 1,279 shaft horsepower (954 kW). It is a variant of the PT6 family. The PT6A-67D engine has a four-step air squeezing part and is a two-step spinning engine. It uses a fuel manager that controls engine speed. A fuel meter meters fuel to the burning area, and a gas mixing box uses air taken from the compressor. At takeoff, efficiency is half a pound per horsepower hour. Cruise fuel use is four hundred pounds per hour. On the ground at full power, fuel use is 600 pounds (272 kilograms) per hour.
The engine has an unloaded mass of 270 lb (122.47 kg). Engine power for takeoff is 1550, and cruise power is around 1400 engine power. Time between overhaul is 3,500 hours, with hot section inspection at half that time. With an approved maintenance plan, time between overhaul extends to 6,000 hours, and in exceptions to 8,000 hours.
What is the performance of the Beechcraft 1900 series?
The performance of the Beechcraft 1900 series is given in the table below.
| Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 280 kts |
| Normal Cruise | 260 kts |
| Economy Cruise | 230 kts |
| Rate of Climb | 2,625 fpm |
| Climb One Engine | 454 fpm |
| Range 19 Pax | 382 nmi |
| Ferry Range | 1,245 nmi |
| Long Range | 1,279 nm |
| Approx Range | 1,400 nm |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft |
| Max Payload | 4,210 lbs |
| Useful Load | 6,440 lbs |
The Beechcraft 1900 series is certified to fly up to an altitude of 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) above mean sea level, with its pressurized cabin. Its takeoff distance at sea level and ISA conditions is 1,140 meters (3,740 feet) for a weight of 7,688 kilograms (16,950 pounds), with a balanced field length of 1,162 meters (3,811 feet). The range with 19 passengers using instrument flight rules reserves is 680 nautical miles. Normal range is about 1,279 nautical miles, and the ferry range is 1,245 nautical miles.
The Beechcraft 1900D has improvements compared to the 1900C due to more robust engines. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67D turboprops, each producing 1,279 shp (954 kW), so its maximum cruise speed is 280 knots (322 mph) at FL 230 (7,010 m) while burning 772 pounds per hour (350 kg/h). The 1900D has better speed and range over the 1900C, with a range of approximately 1,400 nautical miles. Takeoff distance for the 1900D is 3,738 feet (1,139 meters). It climbs at 2,615 feet per minute (797 meters per minute), and its single engine rate of climb is 454 feet per minute (138 meters per minute). Its service ceiling is 25,000 feet (7,620 meters), and with one engine inoperative, it can maintain an altitude of about 17,500 feet (5,334 meters).
I flew the Beechcraft 1900D for 36 months on short-haul. Its performance amazed me. The Pratt and Whitney engines have exceptional reliability, and make ascents more than 2600 feet per minute. I used short, unimproved strips; they need less than 4000 feet for departure. The cabin maintained comfort at five miles up, even in severe cold storms.
Jim GoodrichPilot, Airplane Broker and Founder of Tsunami Air
What are the differences between the Beechcraft 1900C and 1900D?
The differences between the Beechcraft 1900C and 1900D are given in the table below.
| Feature | 1900C | 1900D |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin | Low | Stand-up |
| Baggage | 122 cu ft | 55 cu ft |
| Engines | PT6A-65B | PT6A-67D |
| Power | 1100 hp | 1279 hp |
| Range | 1040 nm | 1279 nm |
| Cockpit | Analog | EFIS |
| Winglets | No | Yes |
| Ventral fins | 1 small | 2 big |
| Empty Weight | 10380 lbs (4710 kg) | 10874 lbs (4932.4 kg) |
| Takeoff run | 0.5 mi (0.8 km) | 0.66 mi (1.06 km) |
| Landing run | 0.5 mi (0.8 km) | 0.75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Cargo | 56.6 cu ft | 64.4 cu ft |
| Rules | SFAR 41C | FAR 23 |
| Capacity | 8.3 tons | 19000 lbs (8618.26 kg) |
The 1900C has a small passenger cabin with a low ceiling, so passengers cannot walk without bending forward. The 1900D has a stand-up cabin through a deeper fuselage and raised roof, allowing most passengers to walk upright. Because the taller cabin adds weight and drag, more robust PT6A-67D engines, rated at 1,279 shaft horsepower, and modified propellers were installed on the 1900D. Winglets were added to reduce drag and increase wing efficiency. The tail was made larger, and in place of the small single ventral fin, the 1900D has two large ventral fins.
The 1900D cockpit was updated with an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and screens for instruments. The 1900C uses analog gauges and gyroscopes. The 1900D cargo space is larger than the 1900C luggage space. The 1900D has a storage space of 64.4 cu ft, and the 1900C has a cargo space of 56.6 cu ft.
The 1900C travels for 1040 nautical miles at about 252 knots. The 1900D is capable of traveling 1279 nautical miles. The 1900D needs 240.79 meters longer for takeoff and 605.64 meters longer for landing than the 1900C. The 1900C's unloaded mass is 10,380 pounds (4,708 kilograms) and the 1900D's is 10874 pounds (4,932 kilograms). The 1900D has been certificated to FAR 23 Commuter Category standards.
What is the safety record of the Beechcraft 1900D?
The safety record of the Beechcraft 1900D includes 4 total crashes and 58 deaths. The number of crashes for the Beechcraft 1900D was 1.21 per 100 thousand hours in the air in the early 2000s. The number of crashes for the Beechcraft 1900D dropped to 0.45 per hundred thousand flying hours by 2015 because of safety rules and fixed instructions that cut crash numbers. For example, safety rules for planes 20041909 cut wing beam tiredness problems to near zero, and cracks fell to near zero in the decade after safety rule 20041909. The Beechcraft 1900D is designed to operate in most weather conditions, including icing conditions. However, stuck elevator adjustment has causes like inflight icing and fatigue, which has a danger rating of medium to high. The chance of the control stick getting stuck goes up in very cold weather, at ambient -10 to +2 degrees Celsius. Other identified problems, like the bobweight overcentre risk during a sharp turn or the cargo lift door frame problem with a danger level of medium to high, have been addressed. Beechcraft did fixes through safety bulletins like 20031107 R1, which needs replacement of cable parts, and 20041909, which needs inspections of wing underside near wheels that fold up to find breaks. Due to its top-notch safety standards, the Beechcraft 1900D is exceptionally reliable and safe to operate.
What is the price of a Beechcraft 1900 aircraft?
The average purchase price of a new Beechcraft 1900 is 5,000,000 USD. In 1991, the price of a Beechcraft 1900D Airliner was $3.95 million. However, the Beechcraft 1900D is a preowned aircraft, so its typical price is between $2480000 and $2795000. A 1996 Beechcraft 1900D has a price of $2995000.
Loan time frames are as long as 20 years, and borrowing periods go from five to twenty years. Deposit is one-fifth to one-quarter, and loan-to-value is up to 85 percent. Loan costs are around 6.5 percent, and borrowing costs go from 6 and a quarter to 10 out of every 100. A Beechcraft 1900D features a variable operating cost of $2,296 per hour.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
