The Beechcraft King Air 350 is based on the King Air 300 with a span increase and winglets, and a fuselage stretch for a main cabin over 17 ft, long enough for double club seating. By 1988, Beechcraft had begun work on the replacement for the 300, and it was introduced in 1990 as the Super King Air 350. The B300 model is still in production, now marketed simply as the King Air 350. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A engines, each rated at 1,050 hp, giving a maximum cruise speed of 312 knots and a maximum range of 1,806 nm. Due to its robust landing gear and short takeoff distance of 3,300 ft, the King Air 350 can operate from runways under 4,000 ft, and even gravel runways. That is why it is a premier twin-engine turboprop for regional charter, combining payload, range, and short-runway access. On June 13, 2005, Beechcraft announced the King Air 350ER, an extended-range version with an increased MTOW of 16,500 lb.
In 2020, Beechcraft introduced the King Air 360 and 360ER as replacements for the King Air 350i and 350iER. The King Air 360 features an avionics upgrade to Collins Pro Line Fusion, a digital pressurisation system, and an autothrottle. The autothrottle, called ThrustSense, automatically manages engine power and provides protection near Vmc. The cabin has a 10% lower altitude pressure, so at FL350 the cabin altitude is under 9,700 ft. The 360 has the same 1,806 nm range, while the 360ER extends to 2,539 nm due to an increased MTOW of 16,500 lb and extra fuel capacity. Both models were FAA certified in October 2020 and EASA certified in September 2021. The King Air 360 accommodates up to 11 occupants, with a modernized interior featuring LED lighting, new seats, and passive noise canceling. In 2023, the equipped price was $9.255M for the 360 and $9.76M for the 360ER.
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What is the Beechcraft King Air 350?
The Beechcraft King Air 350 is the largest iteration of the King Air family, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft. It was originally introduced to the market in 1984 as the Super King Air 300, before being upgraded and renamed in 1990. Certified in 1989, it first appeared as a 1990 model. The 350 is based on the King Air 300 with a 1.04 m (3.4 ft) wingspan increase and winglets, plus a 0.88 m (2.9 ft) fuselage stretch for an over 5.18 m (17 ft) main cabin, long enough for double club seating. The 45 Squadron Royal Air Force uses the King Air 350.
Due to its design, the versatile 350 can land at remote airports with short runways, making it popular for cargo and medical flights. Another hallmark is its ability to haul big loads out of short runways when compared to a jet. With a 300-knot cruise speed, the King Air 350 competes well against jets on trips shorter than 400 nautical miles. Specially designed to meet a wide range of needs, its interior can be configured as an 8-seat executive suite, an 11-passenger commuter cabin, an air ambulance or to transport cargo. The 350 - and the 300 before it - is certified under the FAA's Part 23 Commuter category since both weigh more than 12,500 pounds (5,670 kilograms). Because of that weight, the 300 and 350 are the only King Airs that require a type rating of its pilots.
The King Air 350 and 350I are capable of flying non-stop from London to Madrid or New York to Miami. The Model 350 ER is an extended-range, special-mission version for surveillance and reconnaissance operations; it was introduced at the Paris Air Show in June 2005. NOAA operates two Beechcraft King Air 350 CERs and one King Air 360CER. These versatile, twin-engine, extended-range turboprop aircraft primarily support coastal mapping, snow and soil moisture surveys, and emergency response missions. A combat variant, the MC-12W Liberty, is used by the Army for spy missions and surveillance jobs. With a quieter interior, versatility, more power and range, the King Air 350 has earned the distinction of being the world's most popular business turboprop.
What are the specifications of the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360?
The specifications of the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 are given in the table below.
| Specification | 350 | 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A | Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A |
| Height | 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) | 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) |
| Span | 57 ft 11 in (17.65 m) | 57 ft 11 in (17.65 m) |
| Length | 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m) | 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m) |
| Passengers | Up to 11 passengers (plus 1-2 crew) | Up to 8–11 passengers (plus crew) |
| Max weight | 15,000 lb (6,803.89 kg) | 15,000 lb (6,803.89 kg) |
| Fuel | 3,611 lb (1,638.2 kg) | 3,611 lb (1,638.2 kg) |
| Range | 1,806 nm | 1,806 nm |
| Ceiling | 35,000 ft (10,668 m) | 35,000 ft (10,668 m) |
| Takeoff | 3,300 ft (1,005.84 m) | 3,300 ft (1,005.84 m) |
| Landing | 2,692 ft (820.5 m) | 2,692 ft (820.5 m) |
| Climb | 2,700 fpm | 2,700 fpm |
| Speed | 312 kts | 312 kts |
| Engine | PT6A-60A | PT6A-60A |
| Stall | 81 kcas | 81 kcas |
| Ramp weight | 15,100 lb (6,849.2 kg) | 15,100 lb (6,849.2 kg) |
| Baggage | 71.30 cu ft | 71.30 cu ft |
| Cabin height | 57 ft (17.37 m) | 57 ft (17.37 m) |
| Cabin width | 54 ft (16.46 m) | 54 ft (16.46 m) |
| Cabin length | 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) | 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) |
| Empty weight | 9,955 lb (4515.5 kg) | 9,955 lb (4515.5 kg) |
| Payload | 5,145 lb (2333.7 kg) | 5,145 lb (2333.7 kg) |
| Payload fuel | 1,534 lb (696.2 kg) | 1,534 lb (696.2 kg) |
| Max payload | 2,545 lb (1154.4 kg) | 2,545 lb (1154.4 kg) |
| Normal range | 1,400 nm | 1,400 nm |
| Avionics | Collins Pro Line 21 | Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion |
| Propeller | 4 blades | 4 blades |
What is the seating capacity of the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360?
The Beechcraft King Air 350 has a seating capacity of 11 (including crew) while the Beechcraft 360 has a seating capacity of 8 for passengers. . The packed seating layout for the King Air 350 has eleven people, which is the FAA certified maximum seating limit of 11 people. According to the FAA TCDS, the King Air 350 can have as many as 17 seats, with two for crew, and operated by one pilot. Known as the King of Comfort, the King Air 360 has seating for up to eight passengers. The King Air 360 seats 8 or 9 people in luxurious club seating. The baseline has eight seats in the back. The King Air 360 markets a maximum 11-occupant capacity including pilots.
Are the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 used for military operations?
Yes, the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 are widely used by military forces worldwide for military operations. The Navy, the U.S. Army, and Air Force operate different variants of the King Air for tasks ranging from troop movement to logistical support. The King Air 350 ISR is a specialized variant designed for intelligence, reconnaissance missions, and surveillance. The U.S. Air Force uses the King Air 350 designated at the MC-12W Liberty. The military uses the King Air 350iER edition for intelligence missions, surveillance and aerial survey, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions. Four King Air 350CERs, known as Shadow R1 in RAF service, are equipped for intelligence, reconnaissance missions, target acquisition and surveillance. The Royal Navy's Avenger T1 replaced Jetstream observer trainers. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates nine B300s, designated LR-2, in reconnaissance and communication. The Royal Australian Air Force uses the KA350. Argentina uses the King Air 350 in scouting. Thailand and Sri Lanka use the King Air 350 or 360. King Air aircraft has military operators and flies in 127 nations.
For maritime patrol, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force operated a single B300 on maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties. The King Air 350 ISR aircraft platform offers capability to military or civilian operators. However, Textron Aviation does not make weaponized King Air 350 or 360. No King Air 350 variant has missiles. The King Air 350iER does not have the ability to drop bombs, and the King Air 360ER does not have the ability to attack. Instead, the King Air 360 uses jammers and signals spy gear, and the King Air 350 uses listening gear for electronic warfare. The King Air 350iER is used for spying jobs and moving people or supplies. The King Air 360ER is for watching and gathering information and moving people and things. The US military uses King Air aircraft, with over 300 of these aircraft in use.
How do the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 compare to the Beechcraft Queen Air?
Differences between the Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 compared to the Beechcraft Queen Air are given in the table below.
| Aspect | Queen Air | King Air 350/360 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Piston | Turbine |
| Fuel | Avgas | Kerosene |
| Pressurization | No | Yes |
| Speed | Slow | Fast |
| Seats | 9 | 11 |
| Avionics | Basic | Advanced |
| Autopilot | No | Yes |
| Vibration | high | low |
| Build | 1960 | 1961 |
The Beechcraft King Air 350 and 360 are an evolution of the twin-engine piston Queen Air, with jet engines. The Queen Air used avgas-burning motors under 1,050 horsepower, while the King Air 350 has PT6A-60A plane engines and the King Air 360 has Pratt & Whitney engines burning plane fuel or kerosene. That is why the Queen Air is unpressurized, lacking cabin air pressure control, whereas the King Air 360 has pressurization with 6.8 pounds per square inch (46.9 kilopascals) air pressure difference.
Queen Air seats 9, while King Air 350/360 seats 9 to 11. The Queen Air fuselage is circular but the King Air 350/360 uses a square-round peanut body with a longer, newer wing having winglets. Queen Air’s takeoff distance is about half a mile (0.8 kilometers), which is 721 feet (220 meters) shorter than the King Air 350/360's takeoff of 1,210 yards or 1,106 meters. The King Air 350/360’s landing distance is 153 feet (46.6 meters) shorter than the Queen Air’s landing distance. The King Air 350 flies at 502 kilometers per hour (312 miles per hour) and flies up to 10,668 meters (35,000 feet). The King Air 360 reaches 10,668 meters (35,000 feet) and has a range of 3,345 kilometers (1,806 nautical miles).
Queen Air has no cockpit, does not have the Collins flight system 21, no autothrottle, no screen systems, no navigation system, and no automatic landing for bad weather or low visibility. It does have a HUD and a warning system that helps planes not hit each other in version two. The Queen Air is unpressurized, with inside noise at 95 dBA and no vibration dampeners. In contrast, the King Air 360 has soundproofing, mufflers, and a pressurized fuselage that reduces noise, lowering cabin sound to 81 dBA and cockpit conversation to 85.5 dBA. Shake stoppers lower low-frequency shaking. Fuel capacity is about 735 kilograms (1,620 pounds) for Queen Air and about 990 kilograms (2,183 pounds) for King Air 350/360. The King Air 350 has operating costs including regular expenses from $3,272 to $3,997, and thKing Air 360 has annual expenses from $377,008 to $499,746.
What is the history and development of the Beechcraft King Air 350 series?
The history and development of the Beechcraft King Air 350 series begins with the 200 series. The 200 series proved so popular that Beechcraft began work on a successor, the Model 300, marketed as the "Super King Air 300". The B200's airframe was "cleaned up" and more robust engines installed, with MTOW increased to 14,000 lb (6,350 kg). The first flight of the prototype Model 300 took place on September 3, 1983, and deliveries commenced the following year. By 1988, Beechcraft had begun work on the replacement for the 300. The King Air 350 prototype had its maiden flight on August 27, 1988. The fuselage was stretched by nearly three feet with two extra cabin windows on each side and winglets added to the wingtips to create the Model B300, introduced in 1990 and initially marketed as the Super King Air 350. MTOW was increased again to 15,000 lb (6,804 kg), and because of regulatory limits, the Model 300LW was initially produced. In 1996, the "Super" was dropped, and it became simply the King Air 350. The King Air 350i variant was released in 2010 with a quieter cabin, due to the UltraQuiet active noise canceling system, which cuts sound to lower than 80 decibels. The King Air 360 and 360ER, introduced in 2020, have a cockpit including an avionics upgrade, digital pressurisation control, autothrottle, and a modernized cabin featuring a 10% lower altitude pressure.
Numerous aftermarket modifications and upgrades are available for the 200 and 300 series King Airs. Winglets are at ends of the wings and boost efficiency by cutting the drag caused by spinning air behind the wing, giving as much as a ten percent better performance. The $1.8 million Blackhawk PT6A-67A upgrade offers a 68 kn TAS faster cruise and up to 60% shorter time to climb. The Collins Pro Line Fusion is the most comprehensive retrofit upgrade available for the King Air 350 cockpit. The cabin of the B300 series has controllers, LED lights, USB ports, and fold-out tables. Direct operating costs are around $1,300-1,500 per hour, including a 900 lb (408 kg) average fuel flow per hour.
The B300 model is still in production today, marketed as the "King Air 350". Beechcraft currently offers the 250 and the larger 350i models, as well as the King Air 360. The Super King Air family has been in continuous production since 1974. King Airs have been used for duties in several countries or regions, including Australia, Germany, and Hong Kong, for functions like air ambulance, survey, and navaid calibration.
What is the price range of the Beechcraft King Air 350 series?
The price range of the Beechcraft King Air 350 series is from $1.6 million to $7.9 million, with an average around $3.5 million. The price of a new King Air 350i is currently about $8 million. In 2019, the King Air 350iER was $8.8 million. In 2026, the King Air turboprop is priced at $7.78 million. The King Air 350ER has a price range from $5.25 million for used ones to $7.9 million for near-new ones. Used King Air 350 costs $2.5 million to $3.8 million, while a King Air 350i costs $4.1 million to $6.5 million. Early 2000s King Air 350’s price is $2.3 million, and a 1990 model is around $2.70 million. Late-model King Air 350i models are around $7.90 million. Engine runs and hours have the greatest effect on selling price, and each hour over average cuts the starting price. The larger King Air 360 has a new price of $9.26 million. In 2026, the King Air 360 is priced at around $9.26 million, while the biggest King Air 360 is priced at $10 million. A preowned King Air 360 has an average price of $6.94 million.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.