Special-Mission Turboprop Offers Extended Range

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) announced the certification of the Beechcraft King Air 350ER at the 2007 Dubai Air Show on Sunday. A derivative of the Beech King Air 350, the King Air 350ER provides extended range (ER) through the addition of nacelle fuel tanks, along with an increase in gross weight from 15,000 lbs to 16,500 lbs, plus the incorporation of heavy-weight landing gear.

"Whether the mission is patrolling economic exclusion zones, conducting maritime search and rescue activities, providing overland surveillance, or tankering fuel for extended-range commercial operations, the Beechcraft King Air 350ER provides proven reliability and unparalleled cost-effectiveness over a wide variety of military and civilian special missions," said Ted Farid, vice president, New Business Development.

The company says the enhancements over the straight King Air 350 provide the 350ER with over eight hours of endurance, -- and the flexibility to loiter low and slow, or cruise at 300 knots and 35,000 feet -- yielding a maximum range of 2,570 nautical miles.

Taking off at gross weight with full fuel and full payload, the King Air 350ER can fly out 100 nautical miles, perform a low altitude surveillance mission for seven hours and 20 minutes, fly back 100 nautical miles, and still land with over 45 minutes of fuel on board. That performance is unmatched by any other aircraft in its class, according to Hawker Beechcraft.

"Building on one of the most successful business aircraft of all time, the Beechcraft King Air 350ER provides an exceptional, cost-effective platform for special-mission operations," said Farid. "The King Air continues to be the product of choice for companies, governments and individuals around the world."

Alas, you will pay for the 350ER's performance... to the tune of $6,810,000 for a "typically equipped" bird, not including mission-specific equipment.

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com