The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. The Model 200 series was originally marketed as the "Super King Air" family; the "Super" designation was dropped in 1996. The King Air 200 series is part of the most popular family of turboprops ever made, with more than 1,800 delivered during more than 40 years of production. The Model 200 was originally conceived as the Model 101 in 1969, and was a reconceptualization of the Model 100 King Air. It had the same fuselage as the Model 100, with changes to the rear fuselage to accommodate a new T-tail and structural changes to allow higher pressurization. Apart from the T-tail, other changes included Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-41 engines rated at 850 shp, and an increased wing span with extra fuel capacity. Overall, the 200 was longer, with greater wingspan, more fuel, and a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight. The first prototype flew on October 27, 1972, received civil certification in December 1973, and first civil delivery in February 1974.
In 1981, the Model B200 entered production with PT6A-42 engines, rated at 850 shp, with improvements for greater performance. From October 1995, an updated B200 with Electronic Flight Instrument System avionics was offered as the B200SE Super King Air. In October 2003, a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade was announced. On May 21, 2007, Hawker Beechcraft introduced the Model B200GT updated version with new PT6A-52 engines, still rated at 850 shp, but developing maximum power to a higher altitude, further boosting performance. In 2014, Beechcraft announced an option to increase the MTOW of the B200GT to 13,420 pounds, marketed as the King Air 250EP (Extra Payload). Beechcraft currently offers the 250. The King Air 250 offers a cabin length of 16 ft 8 in, width of 4 ft 6 in, range of 1,582 nm, and a cruise speed of 356 mph. With its noise-reduced cabin, speed, space, and cost-efficiency, the King Air 200/250 series is a versatile aircraft for leisure, business, and cargo charters.
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What is the Beechcraft King Air 200?
The Beechcraft King Air 200, designated the Beechcraft King Air B200, is a pressurised, twin-engine aircraft that seats 7 passengers to their chosen destination. The Beechcraft King Air 200 is part of the Super King Air family, and the Model 200 was originally marketed as the "Super King Air" but the "Super" designation was dropped in 1996. This airplane is an all-metal, low-wing, twin-engine, pressurized turboprop airplane with retractable landing gear.
The Model 200 was a development of the Model 100 King Air. It had the same fuselage, with changes to the rear fuselage to accommodate a T-tail. The Model 200 had different wings, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-41 engines, increased wingspan and extra fuel capacity. The maximum take-off weight was increased. The first flight of the prototype took place in October 1972, and it received civil certification in December 1973. The first civil delivery took place in February 1974, and the Super King Air family has been in continuous production since 1974.
The upgraded King Air B200 featured more robust PT6A-42 engines, making it faster and cheaper to operate. The Beechcraft King Air is a widely deployed general aviation aircraft, commonly used for business travel, express cargo delivery, and related purposes. It is a versatile aircraft for leisure, business and cargo charters. The King Air 200 is a "go anywhere, go anytime" airplane and is certificated for flight into known icing conditions. The Beechcraft King Air 250 is a design based on the B200GT, accommodating 7-8 passengers.
What are the specifications of the Beechcraft King Air 200?
The specifications of the Beechcraft King Air 200 are given in the table below.
| Specification | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2 PT6A-41 |
| Power | 850 shp |
| Max weight | 12,500 lb |
| Fuel | 3,645 lb |
| Ceiling | 35,000 ft |
| Height | 14 ft |
| Span | 54 ft |
| Length | 43 ft |
| Cabin height | 4 ft |
| Cabin width | 4 ft |
| Cabin length | 16 ft |
| Cabin volume | 303 cu ft |
| Door height | 4 ft |
| Door width | 2 ft |
| Baggage | 54 cu ft |
| Passengers | 6-9 |
| Landing weight | 12,500 lb |
| Empty weight | 7,538 lb |
| Useful load | 4,962 lb |
| Payload full fuel | 395 lb |
| Max payload | 1850 lb |
| Normal range | 1075 nm |
| Max range | 1490 nm |
| Field length | 5300 ft |
| Landing distance | 4333 ft |
| Max speed | 289 kts |
| Normal cruise | 272 kts |
| Economy cruise | 225 kts |
| Wing loading | 41.3 lbs/sq ft |
| Power loading | 7.4 lbs/hp |
| Takeoff distance | 2,479 ft |
| Rate of climb | 2,448 fpm |
| Ramp weight | 12,590 lb |
| Zero fuel weight | 11,000 lb |
| Noise takeoff | 81.1 dBA |
| Inspection | 3600 hrs |
| Cabin volume total | 388 cu ft |
| Pressurization | 6.6 PSI |
| Climb gradient | 1076 ft/nm |
| Best cruise | 289 KIAS |
| Best range | 1800 nm |
The Textron Beechcraft King Air 200 is a twin-turboprop powered by two Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41 turbopropeller engines, each rated at 850 shp. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is 12,500 lb (5,670 kg). Fuel capacity is 1,653 kg (3,645 lb). The airplane is authorized to be operated with up to nine passenger seats. Internal baggage capacity is 54 cu ft. The aircraft has a max speed of 289 kts, a normal cruise of 272 kts, and an economy cruise of 225 kts. Normal range is 1,075 nm and max range is 1,490 nm. The service ceiling is 35,000 ft (10,668 m). Climb rate with one engine inoperative is 740 fpm. Balanced field length is 5,300 ft (1,615 m), and landing distance is 4,333 ft (1,321 m). The wing has an area of 28.15 sq m (303 sq ft), and how wide the wing is compared to how long it is is 9.8 to 1 (9.8 to 1).
The Beechcraft King Air 250 is a variant with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 engines, rated at 850 shp but with improvements that result in greater aircraft performance. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) remains 12,500 lb (5,670 kg). The King Air 250EP increases MTOW to 13,420 lb (6,087 kg). Payload with full fuel is 125 lb (56.7 kg), and max payload is 2,180 lb (989 kg). Normal cruise is 283 kts, and max range is 1,580 nm. Rate of climb is 2,448 fpm (12.44 m/s), and landing distance is 4,417 ft (1,346 m).
What is the performance of the Beechcraft King Air 200?
The performance of the Beechcraft King Air 200 is given in the table below.
| Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 289 kts |
| Normal Cruise | 272 kts |
| Economy Cruise | 225 kts |
| Range Long | 1,075 nm |
| Max Range | 1,720 nm |
| Climb Best | 2,450 fpm |
| Climb Light | 2,850 fpm |
| Climb One Engine | 740 fpm |
| Stall Land | 75 kts |
| Max Altitude | 31,000 ft |
| Takeoff Distance | 2,111 ft |
| Ground Roll | 1,715 ft |
The Beechcraft King Air 200’s economy cruise speed is 226 knots and the normal cruise speed is 283-290 knots. Rate of climb is 2,448 fpm, and climb rate with one engine inoperative is 745 fpm. The service ceiling is 35,000 feet (10,668 meters). Takeoff distance is 2,479 feet (756 meters), landing distance is 4,417 feet (1,346 meters), and balanced field length is 5,300 feet (1,615 meters). It can use runways as short as 2,000 feet (610 meters) and can even operate on dirt or gravel runways. Normal range is 1,164 nm and max range is 1,580 nm, due to larger fuel tanks. The King Air 200 flies on average about 300-400 miles (483-644 kilometers) further than the Model 90, with more passengers and more cargo. The B200GT, which started in 2008, has better engines that raise the flat rating, delivering increased speed and climb rates. Its top speed is 318 miles per hour (512 kilometers per hour), and it climbs to 33,000 feet (10,058 meters) in about half an hour, 4 minutes quicker than the B200. B200GT’s climb speed beats the B200 by several 100 feet per minute (several 30.48 meters per minute), and with one-engine inoperative it can go about 8 miles per hour up (about 12.87 kilometers per hour up). In 2014, Beechcraft announced the King Air 250EP option, increasing MTOW from 12,500 pounds (5,670 kilograms) to 13,420 pounds (6,087 kilograms). For efficiency, carrying nine people on a 500-nm (926 km) flight burns only 156 gallons (590 liters) of kerosene, resulting in 33 passenger-miles per gallon (14.0 passenger-kilometers per liter). The Raisbeck EPIC Platinum Package cuts required runway distances and raises how fast the plane goes up.
What is the interior like in the Beechcraft King Air 200?
The Beechcraft King Air 200 and 250 feature a spacious cabin. The cabin’s length is 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m), width is 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m), and height is 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m). Cabin volume is 303 cu ft. The squared-oval interior can be configured with up to seven seats, including one in the enclosed lavatory. Club seating for four is standard, with options for a single chair and a two-seat divan, or additional forward/rear-facing chairs.
A typical layout features two aft-facing club seats forward, a four-person club arrangement aft with fold-out side ledge tables. A galley station has two coffee pots and storage drawers. Four electrical outlets are available along the dado panels. The rear cabin door has an airstair. Pocket doors isolate the cockpit and baggage bay. A seventh seat is located in the baggage bay, with a chemical toilet beneath.
The cabin walls use composites and honeycomb sandwich, and the ceiling liner uses honeycomb layers. Trim uses AeroFLAX. Lighting includes ceiling lamps that give soft, warm light. Lights on the wall provide general illumination, and reading lights are adjustable. Seats do not have air vents, reading lights, or charging ports. Overhead bins hold luggage and seats have small storage spaces sized 16 by 12 by 6 inches (40.64 by 30.48 by 15.24 centimeters). Legroom is from about 2.5 to 3 feet (0.76 to 0.91 meters).
Cabin noise is typically 81-85 dBA. Noise and vibration are higher than jets, but newer refurbishments and insulation upgrades boost comfort. Windows measure 9.5 by 13.5 inches (24.13 by 34.29 centimeters). Beechcraft offers the 250 (designation B200GT), which has the same cabin size as the 200.
What is the price of a Beechcraft King Air 200?
The acquisition price for the Beechcraft King Air 200 typically ranges from $725,000 to $800,000 USD. A high-time well-maintained King Air 200 is priced at $1.8 million to $2.75 million. A runout King Air 200 costs $725,000 to $1 million, and a project-grade King Air 200 sells for below $650,000. The King Air 200C version, which has a factory cargo door, has a lowest setup price of $1,725,000, over $1,000,000 more than the base passenger model. Avionics heighten costs between $100,000 and $250,000, and fixing the cockpit electronics needs about a month of downtime. Modernization raises the plane's worth on the market.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
