Raytheon Aircraft Company has received FAA type certification for the new Beechcraft King Air C90GT, the latest evolution of the popular twin-turbine Beechcraft King Air 90 series aircraft. The upgraded Beechcraft King Air C90GT features increased performance in all phases of flight to include take-off, climb and cruise. It delivers a 26-knot increase in max cruise speed, a fifty percent reduction in the time needed to reach its certified ceiling, and shorter take-off distances at all field elevations when compared to the King Air C90B that it replaces.

Powering the improvements is the installation of two 750 shp Pratt and Whitney PT6A-135 engines (flat-rated to 550 shp). The engines increase the C90GT’s max cruise speed to 272 knots while taking only 22 minutes to reach its 30,000 foot certified ceiling. Standard day, sea level take-off distance is also reduced 312 feet from the C90B model’s 2,709 feet to 2,392 feet at max gross take off weight (MGTOW).

“Of the four new models Beechcraft brought to the market this year, I think the King Air C90GT is perhaps the most exciting.” said Beechcraft president and general manager Randy Groom.

“And the improvements we’ve made ensure that it will continue to lead this dynamic market segment. On typical missions, the C90GT will deliver its passengers in a nearly fifty percent larger cabin and within minutes of even the closest competitive very light jet. It will also accomplish this same mission with system redundancy that no single-engine turboprop can match.”

Built using the proven and reliable design of the Beechcraft King Air C90-series airframe, the Beechcraft King Air C90GT seats up to seven passengers in a roomy, squared-oval cabin that allows greater passenger headroom. It also features a heated and pressurized baggage storage area that is easily accessed during flight and a fully enclosed aft private lavatory. The rugged, performance-orientated C90GT also provides operators with the versatility to land on short runways or unimproved strips, where most jets are unable to land.

“At max gross take off weight, the certified King Air C90GT’s take-off distance is about 700 feet shorter than its closest VLJ competitor’s estimates, and when you combine that with the aircraft’s robust unimproved field capability, you end up with over 5,000 runways in the United States alone that will see the King Air C90GT but not the VLJ,” said Groom.

Pursuit of foreign certifications will begin in early 2006. The aircraft is delivered with a comprehensive customer support package and will be serviced by Raytheon Aircraft Company’s global network of company-owned and independent service centers.

Beechcraft King Air Quick Facts

• The 6,000th King Air rolled off the production line in December 2004.
• The Beechcraft King Air series celebrated 40 years of continuous production and technological progression in 2004.
• The airplane offers pilots greater flexibility in terms of operation and can land almost anywhere.
• No pilot type rating required to fly the Beechcraft King Air C90GT and it can be operated with one or two crewmembers.
• Spacious and luxurious cabin (length: 12 feet, 7 inches; height: 4 feet, 9 inches; width 4 feet, 6 inches).
• 48 cubic foot in-flight accessible baggage access.
• Private aft lavatory.
• Beechcraft quality and reliability.
• Comprehensive service and support network that spans the globe.
• Typically equipped price is $2,950,000.

FMI: www.raytheon.com