Why Textron Killed the King Air - A Brief History

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 409

  • @FloridaFlying
    @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Why do you think Beechcraft ended the King Air C90? Which airplane do you think will be canceled next?

    • @TheMrPeteChannel
      @TheMrPeteChannel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Long live the King! Which will be cancelled next? Hopefully nothing!

    • @XX-166
      @XX-166 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Technology has bypassed that plane long ago.

    • @calvinnickel9995
      @calvinnickel9995 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Single engine aircraft have been steadily chipping away at the twin market. Only at the small end-for multi training.. and the large end where safety or regulations require it does the twin still reign.
      For most private individuals, the cost of a twin is massive and brings no safety benefit-as they often don’t have the training and competency plus the redundancy of a second crew member to safety deal with an engine failure.

    • @XX-166
      @XX-166 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@calvinnickel9995 the pilatus would be a much better option.

    • @davidwhite2011
      @davidwhite2011 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Will we see you at Sun and Fun?

  • @wernerdanler2742
    @wernerdanler2742 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    I worked at Beechcraft in Wichita in the late 70s as a machinist. Loved it there and loved seeing the completed planes leaving the plant.

    • @DumbledoreMcCracken
      @DumbledoreMcCracken 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      what happened?

    • @wernerdanler2742
      @wernerdanler2742 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@DumbledoreMcCracken I went to Boeing for a whole lot more money! Lol

    • @abarkaie
      @abarkaie 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Build an 99s?

    • @wernerdanler2742
      @wernerdanler2742 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@abarkaie ??

    • @maxsaviation9512
      @maxsaviation9512 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@wernerdanler2742sounds like Boeing went downhill after the merger

  • @krazmokramer
    @krazmokramer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I grew up in Wichita, about 2 blocks away from Mrs. Beech's home. Many of my friend's fathers and neighbors worked for Beechcraft. I remember when the King Air was introduced. Every year, as Cub Scouts, we were given a guided tour of the Beechcraft assembly plants.

  • @anthonycyr9657
    @anthonycyr9657 3 ปีที่แล้ว +101

    your headline is a bit misleading, the only king air model discontinued was the king air 90..

    • @jtharmon12
      @jtharmon12 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      exactly. The King Air is hardly dying, in fact there is a new version, the 360 out.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      The 260/360 are pretty much a completely different airplane than the c90

    • @jtharmon12
      @jtharmon12 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@FloridaFlying Still the base design. Yes, the 90 has different engines, wings, and a stretch from the 200/300, but so is the 777-200 to the 777-300ER. The king air has had almost 40 derivatives over its amazing run. Some of of those have sunset while new ones have appeared to meet new market needs. I don't see this as any different. The 90 has a lot more direct competition now that can either haul more, go faster, or make jet noises often at lower hourly op costs. I expect a 100th anniversary model to be sold in 2063.

    • @alexanderdavidson7837
      @alexanderdavidson7837 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Baiting hard

    • @Captndarty
      @Captndarty 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Click bait looser

  • @jeffschueler1182
    @jeffschueler1182 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I worked at Beechcraft in engineering for 30 years. It was a DARK day when Textron bought Beechcraft. I retired two years later, but I will always have fond memories of working on those excellent aircraft, especially the King Air.

  • @pterodox123
    @pterodox123 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I build several cabinets for the "new" 360i with Textron IMF. Right now I'm on the vanity and midships mainly. The 360 is just a block point change with a redesign of the same furniture as the 350i. It has been a very consistent selling plane.
    Our department will be taking over the 260 line of furniture next week as well.
    We did the furniture mock up for the Denali as well but haven't heard of any development for years.

  • @4by4squared88
    @4by4squared88 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I got to order a new C90 for our family and company plane. My mother and I went to the Beech factory to pick out the color of our plane plus all of the interior. On that day Olive Beech was at the factory and invited us to have lunch with her. It was a special day all around. I loved that plane. It was amazing. N11LS I wonder where my plane is today.

  • @robertbandusky9565
    @robertbandusky9565 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I flew over 7000 hours in C90 and never had a failure! What a great aircraft! Thank you Ma Beach👨‍✈️

  • @steelepls
    @steelepls 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    When I was stationed in Hawaii back in the early 70's one of my bosses was a fixed wing pilot and I got to fly with him during his monthly proficiency flights on one of the U-21's that looked just like the Army aircraft shown in your video. It was not pressurized and had weather radar on board. We flew all over the Hawaiian Islands and I had a blast flying with him usually in the co pilots seat where he let me fly every now and then. I also got to fly on the current C-12 or King Air 200 to Germany and back from Vicenza and made one trip to Istanbul via Greece and it too was a great experience. Good video which brings back some fine memories.

  • @zopEnglandzip
    @zopEnglandzip 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ordering spares from beech used to be the highlight of my week, treated like Royalty, that changed with the Textron buy out. Absolutely the most pleasant aircraft to work on apart from the 23/24.

  • @michaelcrawford4756
    @michaelcrawford4756 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I used to fly the C90 and 200. Both great airplanes. Miss those days.

  • @aircraftpartner2695
    @aircraftpartner2695 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I own and fly both Beech 35 (1947) and an 80‘s C90. Both incredible aircraft. Super sad to see the C90 go, but with plenty on the used market and latest Garmin aftermarket tech, still a lot of aircraft for the money.

  • @jackf.7415
    @jackf.7415 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Assigned as crew chief to a U21 unit, Command Aircraft Company, Long Thanh North Army Airfield, RVN. 24 U21’s. Also, made many jumps from King Airs as well. Fast climb to altitude!

    • @rustypotato1884
      @rustypotato1884 ปีที่แล้ว

      U-21 is a great plane I compare it to the toyota hilux of aviation!

  • @wds6900
    @wds6900 3 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    "Having that extra fan outside is comforting."
    - twin engine pilot friend of mine.

    • @jenniferwhitewolf3784
      @jenniferwhitewolf3784 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You have a much higher pucker factor when your single fails, compared to a twin.. As long as your above blue line and can trim 'er out, the chances of an uneventful landing are significantly greater.

    • @easternwoods4378
      @easternwoods4378 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@jenniferwhitewolf3784 That pucker power is increased over water, especially cold water. Or inhospitable terrain like northern Canada or the Rockies Cabin class twin for me, thank you very much

    • @jenniferwhitewolf3784
      @jenniferwhitewolf3784 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@easternwoods4378 One of my friends will only fly twins.. exactly those reasons... My husband, when much younger, mostly flew singles, and yea..it happened.... Engine seized. Thank goodness it was over a cornfield!

    • @michaelsteven1090
      @michaelsteven1090 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@jenniferwhitewolf3784 But what if the single engine TBM is more reliable than dual engines combined?..That is possible, right?

    • @bobbys4327
      @bobbys4327 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I came across a guy landing a Mooney in a very winding mountain road not long after he landed. Yup, engine quit and he looked to put her down, and he did. He did not crash either which is amazing in itself. Also in that area is a power line crossing the road and how he didn't hit that was sheer luck.

  • @Bigrockets101
    @Bigrockets101 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    We have several C90’s in our fleet and overall maintenance costs are much lower than our Pilatus. They are popular with customers, comfortable and reliable.

    • @ohheyalan123
      @ohheyalan123 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Really? Even with twin engines the maintenance cost are cheaper?

  • @farmerbrown3768
    @farmerbrown3768 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The King Air at 3::44 is the US Army version called the U-21. I worked on 4 of these while I was I NhaTrang, VietNam 50 years ago!

  • @jamesrobinson6382
    @jamesrobinson6382 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I was aboard our company King Air one night back in the 1990's Pittsburg bound when we were struck by lightning and we continued on safely. My opinion of the plane went up a couple of notches.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It’s a flying tank. It’s gotta be one of the safest airplanes out there

    • @easternwoods4378
      @easternwoods4378 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@FloridaFlying And that beats operating cost every time

  • @AeroSuite360
    @AeroSuite360 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent presentation on the history of the King Air and its predecessors. In April of 1961, my father and his business partner purchased a new 1961 Twin Bonanza J50 from the Norman Larson Company in Van Nuys, California. That was eight months before I was born. The airplane was serial number JH-150, being the first of only twelve built that year. She was a real beauty! I hope to see many more King Airs in my lifetime. They are a great testament to the Beechcraft legacy and one of my favorite airplanes!

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I love the T-Bone so much. It is near the top of my list of planes that I have to fly in one day. Thank you for sharing your story!

  • @torianoevans
    @torianoevans 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great overview!! I've always wanted to know the history and the versions. Thanks!!

  • @manuelgassol3131
    @manuelgassol3131 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video, Thanks for sharing. I am a fan of fighter planes, but the King Air is one of my favorite planes and it holds a special place in my heart.

  • @mattcollins4550
    @mattcollins4550 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Another great video Pedro! Your editing and production skills are growing impressive!

  • @mohabatkhanmalak1161
    @mohabatkhanmalak1161 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    As a little boy in the 1970's, I saw the Queen Air and King Air......in my copy of "Janes Commercial Aircrafts". Good memories, lol.

  • @billmoran3812
    @billmoran3812 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Kind of kills the dream of winning the lottery and heading straight for the Beechcraft dealer to put money on a brand new C90 for my personal aircraft. The C90 is the perfect personal plane. Long range, fast and easily capable of tucking into short fields when necessary. From my base in Kentucky, most of the country would be easily accessible.

    • @GeorgeSemel
      @GeorgeSemel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      There is a company in Texas, I forgot the name, but they take 90 king airs from 1980's and 90's strip them down to the bare metal and rebuild them with the latest avionics and you can even opt for the GE H-80 engines all for about half the cost of a New airplane from Beech. Flying is always about two things acquisition costs, and operating costs. You look at what your flying needs are and buy the aircraft that best fits those needs. The 90 King Air will be around long after you and I are gone. The 50-year production run is a good one. Times and the market changed, and 2020 was a crap year due to COVID- it's going to be a long while before the aviation sector, and GA in particular will recover, I had to retire 7 years earlier than I had planned.

    • @bartofilms
      @bartofilms 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@GeorgeSemel Hi George, Maybe Raisbeck or Blackhawk? I think both outfitters are based in TX.

    • @SammyTheDitchDoctor
      @SammyTheDitchDoctor 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bartofilms Blackhawk.

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Blackhawk uses PT6A engines exclusively. The GE “H” turboprops are nothing more than the Walther copy of the PT6As developed in the 1960s. It was designed to be a “throwaway” engine. That is why those engine do not require an HSI at half TBO like PT6As

    • @traviseggl3794
      @traviseggl3794 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@stevehicks8944 I have run some Walther engines on Air Tractors, they are actually a good engine. They seemed to temp out earlier than a PT6, but I think GE improved that when they took over the engine line. A couple of nice things about them is there are no fuel nozzles to maintain, and they are almost impossible to hot start since they start themselves once the fuel is on and you hit the start button.

  • @ricyoung7545
    @ricyoung7545 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Excellent history of Beechcraft. I was in high school when the first 90 flew. I started working for Beech on the Avionics for heavy twins U21, 99, 90s and model 18. You have got the history right on. However, when you say the operating cost is much less it is because you have half the engines working. I know first hand that you can load a King Air with fuel full passengers and other equipment loaded in the aisle and takeoff from a mountain strip with no problem, because of the second engine. So be careful about the comparison differences between One and Two engines. Check out the 'Lightning' (a turboprop on a model 36) back in the '80s as it was going to be Beechcrafts answer to what is now a TBM.

  • @redlinelegend1641
    @redlinelegend1641 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was a great video, it deserves a series of its own... please make more like it, and also out it in an appropriate playlist so I can find them🙃💪

  • @danharrodian
    @danharrodian 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Flying Doctors Australia used King Air in their fleet until they changed to the Pilatus PC12 circa 1994/5. The pilot concern was always about going from two engines to single engine operation. The concerns of operational management were for the higher maintenance costs of twin engine aircraft.

  • @zed9zed
    @zed9zed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Off topic, but the V Bonanzas are still one of the most gorgeous aircraft ever. The King Air F90 was my favorite in terms of visual balance and design.

  • @HuGenitals
    @HuGenitals 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Finished my flying days in a b200. Listening to the sound of the turbine come up to speed never got old. Still isn't for that matter

  • @dieselyeti
    @dieselyeti 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Turboprop singles ate its lunch, because of the operating cost of the 2nd engine. Turbines are so reliable it's harder to justify a twin when there are other SE options avail in that segment. Pilatus has been chipping away at C90 sales for years. Now Cessna's new Denali will take away more sales. The 250/350 still sells well, but if there was a SE turboprop with their seating capacity it might take away those sales also.

    • @Gamebreaker08
      @Gamebreaker08 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      PC12?

    • @dieselyeti
      @dieselyeti 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Gamebreaker08 Capacity wise, the Pilatus competed against the KA 250

    • @michaelsteven1090
      @michaelsteven1090 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree..The turbines are very reliable and Pilatus has proved it..

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Guess all of you guys opining on the reliable turbines have never seen a PT6A “eat” itself: I have. Two engines get you to safety when one engine fails. One failed engine on a single engine airframe gets you to the crash site.

  • @isaacreicin4836
    @isaacreicin4836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm a shareholder and when i heard this in a investors statement i was really surprised especially with the king air being the king pin of small turboprop aircraft and is iconic.

    • @rowerwet
      @rowerwet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The 200/250/260 and 350/360 are still selling and will for a few more decades. A PC12 or Denali can't quite do what the 350/360 can.
      But the light jets are taking over and will continue to

    • @isaacreicin4836
      @isaacreicin4836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@rowerwet those jets don't have the short runway capabilities of the king air though which is a turn off for buyers that are private on grass, dirt, gravel, or short runways in general. The king air had STOL mods that made it so beloved.

    • @rowerwet
      @rowerwet 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@isaacreicin4836 there will be a niche for the king air that will keep them around for as long as the PT6 remains.
      Technology changes and improves, eventually they may be entirely eclipsed, or they may remain like the DC3, something there has never been entirely replaced.

  • @mci102rv7
    @mci102rv7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Twin bonanza is NOT a twin engine version of the Bonanza. They don’t share wing, cabin, engine or other major components. They are completely different airplanes other than they share a name. Saying a twin bonanza is a twin version of the bonanza, like saying a DC10 is a jet engine version of a DC3 because they are both DCs. The 55 Baron is the twin engine version of the 33/35 Bonanza. The 58 Baron is the twin engine version of the 36 Bonanza. In both cases, the planes share cabin and wing components. And for some years, they used the same engines . . . Just two verses one.

    • @tenpiloto
      @tenpiloto 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      HEAR HEAR! So well explained. Too bad this Tou Tuber never realized it.

  • @brikshoe6259
    @brikshoe6259 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was on a King Air returning from Area-51 on a windy Sunday afternoon at McCarron when suddenly the plane rotated 90 degrees and I was looking straight down at concrete. Oddly, I felt no trepidation and the pilot quickly brought it back level.

  • @joycethomas8868
    @joycethomas8868 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’ve always considered the King Air 90 the perfect personal/family or small business aircraft. Also perfect for starting a part 135 FAA charter operation. Everyone is going for the fast single engine turboprops now. Sales dictates production, but we all know those single engine birds can’t carry the weight, and savvy business execs want two props for safety. I still love the basic simple beauty of the straight tail King Air 90’s. Sad.

  • @christopherbatty3837
    @christopherbatty3837 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hiya King Air driver here ..CP/Line Training Captain....all of remote/crude "strips" Outback Australia, tropics, New Guinea highlands.
    Gotta note that: it is NOT STOL. Even the Dash-8 (100 Series) I flew similar destinations IS NOT STOL - unlike brother Dash-7.
    King Air was always AT LEAST as good as "book" - could stop in 400 metres. Off in less than 1,000....tropics = high humidity & ISA plus 15/20.

  • @dodoubleg2356
    @dodoubleg2356 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    One thing the King Air has, & probably WILL ALWAYS HAVE over it's competitor's are looks, esp compared to that LOONNGGG front nose/engine cowling on the TBM. The King Air is just a beautiful aircraft ✈️ in my opinion.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      My dad says the exact same thing. He has slowly turned around to thinking the TBM looks nice. He still hates the looks of the PC-12

    • @dodoubleg2356
      @dodoubleg2356 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@FloridaFlying yeah my only beef w/the TBM is that obnoxiously long engine cowling. Other than that, yeah it's growing on me.

    • @bartofilms
      @bartofilms 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      For some time the only enhancement for the King Air that I've been hoping for would be a single piece, curved, wrap-around windshield. The current dual flat windshields seem a tad dated to me.

    • @dodoubleg2356
      @dodoubleg2356 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bartofilms yeah I'll give ya that...it is showing it's age.

  • @12345fowler
    @12345fowler 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your research is exceptional. Very interesting to dig out the filiation like you did.

  • @johnmeyers5125
    @johnmeyers5125 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That's to bad i have built and worked the C90 for yrs its a great aircraft

  • @arthurbrunelle9828
    @arthurbrunelle9828 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    My uncle was chief pilot at textron...,first flew the queen air.....later the falcon 10 and jet ranger.....I toured the queen air at the 67 Cleveland air show.....also saw a fly past of the SR71.....great days......he retired with 30,000 hours fixed and rotary

    • @victorbasta7359
      @victorbasta7359 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      My uncle was the chief janitor at Textron. He said the writing was on the wall last year but he cleaned it off.

  • @tracycurtright2671
    @tracycurtright2671 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I took care of military King Airs from 87 to 2001. Trust me they fly at much more than the rated weight. Under certain conditions the military flew the early spars up to13500+lbs and the force mate spars up 16,000 lbs. Granted today much of the surveillance work they did is done by satellites today but the did everything they were asked to do. We were sent a 65A90 that was a confinscated by DEA. It had a cabin supercharger rather than bleed air pressurization and a 24 volt electric air conditioner in the nose that pulled something like 125 to 150 amps . They rigged for night vison goggle and sat phone and flew for a while and then gave it to the Army. The Army made an inertial nav trainer out of it for a few years and let it set until all of the 5 year TBO parts were due. The dropped it on us with 1 day left on the 5 year TBO parts and all the extra equipment pulled out except the wiring for it was still there. They flew it like a U-21 however a 65A90 had a lower gross weight than a U-21. With full fuel and 2 pilots it was overweight. We stripped out all the extra wiring and equipment that didn't come in a 65A90 and did all the over due maintenance and worked off all faults. That got it legal to fly with 2 passengers. They flew it a few times as a trainer but since it was so different from the U21's it didn't suit them as a trainer so it sat in the back of the Army hanger for 2 year when it disappeared much like it arrived. So they did all that in order to get a pressurized, air conditioned plane rather than another U21. It met the spec the Army asked for yet was totally useless for VIP transport. We did what they asked but I hate to think how much money was totally wasted. That location now has a C-12( KingAir200 with cargo door and high floatation landing gear) like they should have got in the 1st place.

  • @robertborchert932
    @robertborchert932 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So, you are saying I really should have bought that sexy King Ranch edition King Air? Indeed. Beautiful.

  • @BrancoAviacao
    @BrancoAviacao 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good information! Thanks for sharing!

  • @seanmullins7568
    @seanmullins7568 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    ONE OF THE BEST AIRCRAFT OF ALL TIME!!

  • @thetransponder7186
    @thetransponder7186 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Although I love the pc12. Its sad to hear that they're not going to be making these.

  • @flyerbob124
    @flyerbob124 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The T-Bone was a great airplane. Lived flying it.

  • @johnhobbs7544
    @johnhobbs7544 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for the great memories!

  • @carollove5130
    @carollove5130 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    For a more in-depth analysis of the King Airs in military service, read the book "U S Army Twin Beeches" by Terry Love from Schiffer Publishing. Hundreds of photos and details.

  • @pablopicaro7649
    @pablopicaro7649 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Denali is a 50 year newer design, the old stuff can't compete no matter how superiour it was in its day. Seen Denali and Sky Courier in Wichita, both use latest Engineering and Avionics.

  • @atlascheethac7869
    @atlascheethac7869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    A c-90 with a black-hawk conversion can do almost anything

  • @j.thomas7128
    @j.thomas7128 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It was always my dream to fly a King Air.

  • @williamslevy8894
    @williamslevy8894 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you very much for the story of the King Air, I love this plane with which I have done many hours of flight. This is a very fine achievement from Beechcraft.

  • @jasonhurdlow6607
    @jasonhurdlow6607 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I had no idea they were that expensive... wow!

  • @jamespaul4618
    @jamespaul4618 ปีที่แล้ว

    woe - What a great channel. Full of useful information. thanks.

  • @himmelssturmermcfly463
    @himmelssturmermcfly463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Honestly, I am not really a fan of the King Air, but it's end is really sad.
    I may like Cessnas more - but the King Air has deserved to remain in production.

  • @sheerluckholmes5468
    @sheerluckholmes5468 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    King Air's were the mainstay of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia. I think the RFDS is now moving to Pilatus 24's.

    • @christopherbatty3837
      @christopherbatty3837 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      They did the shift some years ago to PC12. Noting that what is generally known as "RFDS" is several separate organisations in different states. Thus instituting their own policies/equipment changes,
      South Australian region were first to go single engine for the primary reason of reducing aircrew costs. It was NOT a popular move from aircrew/medical crew POV.
      Ref P24: West Australian region has one or more, cannot answer about the several other regions. Although not fast, it has field capabilities suitable for our remote strip lengths & ISA plus conditions. These, being new, must really up the ante of operational costs. Especially considering all the Super Kingairs were second - hand acquisitions, some modded from standard door cofig.
      Wonder how the fans will stand up over time on unsurfaced strips ?

  • @TheTerrypcurtin
    @TheTerrypcurtin 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was a Travel air your showing with the square tail. I owned a 1960. Had Lycoming 360s. Never had huge engines. The much larger twin Beech was the Gulfstream of it's day with the big size engines. Had a bench seat.

  • @gtr1952
    @gtr1952 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It is surprising that the TBM costs that much "more" than the C90! Especially since the C90 uses 2- PT6-A engines and the TBM uses 1, even though the TBM version is likely different with more S-HP and FADEC. The turbine engine is still the most $$ component. The C90 was too $$ for me, but a great deal for the weight and performance it delivered. 8) JMHO --gary

  • @juicestain33
    @juicestain33 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Title is a bit misleading. If they’re still selling the larger models I’d consider that a big win for king air fans. Awesome history overview. Love the beach 18 as well.

  • @bobninemire5154
    @bobninemire5154 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great documentary on the King Air ....Thanks

  • @ryanlunde575
    @ryanlunde575 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this kind of evolutionary story in GA airplanes. Another good one that I’d love to see a video on is how the Gulfstream 280 can trace its lineage back to the Aero Commander 500 series.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ooo that’s a good one!

    • @calvinnickel9995
      @calvinnickel9995 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      In concept, not construction. If it’s concept you can go all the way back to the Douglas A-20.

  • @vapour250
    @vapour250 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I flew thousands of hours on king airs, and I love them even more than boeings

    • @mitseraffej5812
      @mitseraffej5812 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I’ve flown several different King Air models and all B737 variants except the Max. The only 737s that compares for pleasure of hand flying are 100/200 series with the JT8 engines. The rest fly like an old pickup truck. I hear the 737 Max is quite a nice airplane to fly when everything is working.

    • @vapour250
      @vapour250 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mitseraffej5812 and the flight data monitoring takes all the fun out of flying, like big brother always watching you. But I agree it does make it safer

    • @mitseraffej5812
      @mitseraffej5812 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@vapour250 There ain't no fun or pleasure in airline flying anymore, and now you're liable to be alcohol breath tested the morning after an overnight. They use to be the highlight of a trip.

  • @jonjonthejetplane
    @jonjonthejetplane 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Interesting vid! Not sure how you found my photo though (1:46). Could've let me know if you wanted the full res copy.

  • @darrens.4322
    @darrens.4322 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I recommend in your HEADLINE that you state specifically the C90, I think that would be helpful.

  • @ohadkaravani
    @ohadkaravani 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The King Air C90 will forever fly high in the sky!

    • @kurakuson
      @kurakuson 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      And so will The Pratt & Whitney PT6.

  • @mcsemark
    @mcsemark 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great short production, very informative

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you, I love talking about these aviation stories

  • @n3307v
    @n3307v 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice video. Who knew my BE35 was the inspiration for the Queen and King Airs?

  • @FlightProgramAborted
    @FlightProgramAborted 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very informative and very interesting thank you.

  • @rudolfabelin383
    @rudolfabelin383 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello my friend in Florida!
    Pity, the C90 was on my short list if I would win the Lottery....
    Your Starship T-shirts have now survived many washes. Think I have to get some more of them. Now in space!

  • @Dive-Bar-Casanova
    @Dive-Bar-Casanova 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Unique aircraft for sure.

  • @rackum44
    @rackum44 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm not a real pilot but I love flying the king air in MSFS It's my favorite plane

  • @davidsiler5505
    @davidsiler5505 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If you haven't created a video about the F-90, how about a video of the F-90?

  • @richtaylor6039
    @richtaylor6039 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great vid! Thank you.

  • @its-me-here
    @its-me-here 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sad to hear, I'm a nostalgic kinda guy. Where's the Baron in all this?

  • @sonnyburnett8725
    @sonnyburnett8725 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, I was very lucky to get a chance at flying a 1967 KingAir A-90 in 1977 for two years. But I thought the first one was produced in 1966 as the straight KingAir or straight 90. Then in 68 Beech introduced the B-90. BTW, the straight 90 and A-90 had 500shp PT-6 engines and the B-90 was the first with the PT-6 550 shp engines. It was something like -21 and -23 etc. Too lazy to look it up. But what a great airplane, flew so easily and honest. Got my ATP in it which was a dream in it’s self. Again, thanks for such a great video.

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The B90 had an up rated -20. The -21 was introduced with the C90( even very early C90s had -20s).

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The 90 had a -6 while the A90 introduced the -20. I’m a retired King Air maintainer.

  • @johnmajane3731
    @johnmajane3731 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They replaced it with the King Air 260 which is a 90 with a T tail. Basically an updated F90. The King Air line is in production not sure what this guy is talking about.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The king air 260 is based off the king air 200, different wing and landing gear than the c90. The c90 is in a class of its own

    • @johnmajane3731
      @johnmajane3731 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@FloridaFlying yes I can see that now. Cabin is 2' longer then the 90 series. A friend of mine owns an F90 which is the souped up 90 with a King Air 200 T Tail. His has the Blawkhawk conversion making it a real performer. I am sure Beech made the decision to stop the 90 series because it wasn't selling anymore.

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The 200/250 and C90B are totally different aircraft, built for different purposes. The 200/250 design preceded the F90; it’s NOT an “updated F90”. The 200/250 operate at different pressurization pressures, have totally different engines (-135 verses the -41/-42/-52)

  • @craigpennington1251
    @craigpennington1251 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    With a name like Textron your bet is that they fold this company down. That seems to be the trend these days. The facts don't lie. Great video on an iconic aircraft. King Airs are really nice and the C-90 looks proportionate and has that classy styling. What a pity it's going away.

  • @NakulDalakoti
    @NakulDalakoti 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have this plane in Aerofly FS flight simulator. Love to fly this bird.

  • @flyingmonkey3315
    @flyingmonkey3315 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love the C90 I dream of owning one some day

  • @danielgoodson8155
    @danielgoodson8155 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Make my living driving 200s for the last 18 years. When visitors tour our facility, to make the aircraft relatable, I describe the B200 as follows:
    There are more of these flying than many aircraft designs combined. This is like your 1993 GMC 4X4 pickup.....burns too much fuel, doesn’t go fast enough, but will do nearly anything you ask of it, carry nearly everything you can put in it, and you can always find someone who can work on it. The Super King Air will bring you home every day. Much gratitude to Beechcraft and the King Air series for providing me with a reliable safe aircraft. Thank you.

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You don’t fly for Jasper Engines, do you?

  • @shopart1488
    @shopart1488 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice detail on this video.

  • @leazyfpv5521
    @leazyfpv5521 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This video is great. Thank you.'

  • @MichaelJanzen
    @MichaelJanzen 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice summary of the model's history. Misleading title... only the smallest King Air has been canceled. Do you think the writing is on the wall for the full cancelation of the model? Seems folks are going for the single-engine turbo props.

  • @x01macmilsim86
    @x01macmilsim86 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Making room for the new King Air 360?

  • @bingosunnoon9341
    @bingosunnoon9341 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Reagan excise tax on airplanes and pleasure boats shut down the King Air line in January 1982. Not completely, they still made spares, but few planes. Me and everyone else who was working at Beech were laid off.

  • @robertvaughn6646
    @robertvaughn6646 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting for sure. Where does the E-90 & F-90 fit into this line?

    • @stevehicks8944
      @stevehicks8944 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      All the 90 series use the same fuselage and wings. The 90/A90/B90/C90/E90/H90(Navy T-44) all use the same tailplane structure and landing gear. The F90 uses the tail plane and landing gear of the 200/B200. The F90 also uses the same pressurization rate of the 200/B200 (6.2 psi verses 4.8 psi for the rest of the 90 series).

  • @paulseano5100
    @paulseano5100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A friend’s dad took me up in a Beechcraft Bonanza V Wing in the late 70’s and it was exhilarating to say the least. Years later he bought a King Air for his corporate travel and we again went up for a flight. That King Air power made the hair stand up on my arms as an 11 year old. A shame to hear they discontinued them. Great aircraft.

  • @rhallnapa
    @rhallnapa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I used to work at a commercial airline pilot training center. We had 12 C-90A’s that we used for multi engine training. Great aircraft.

    • @Alexgeo4975
      @Alexgeo4975 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      JAL?

    • @rhallnapa
      @rhallnapa 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Alexgeo4975 yes.

    • @Alexgeo4975
      @Alexgeo4975 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@rhallnapa Very nice. I work at an airline training facility in Northern California. We have a few ex-IASCO employees. Good people.

  • @stenbak88
    @stenbak88 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The king air is a staple in aircraft manufacturing

  • @supertyfon1736
    @supertyfon1736 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That sucks the model 90 has bin a common site in my life and like your top 10 discontinued GA aircraft this will be one of those turboprops that will roam the skies for a very long time.

  • @jae0204
    @jae0204 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thx to ur video as always !

  • @sjoerdjanvanklaarbergen8396
    @sjoerdjanvanklaarbergen8396 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would Nextant G90xt pick up this market?
    I had a link to the website of Nextant but seems they removed this before message.
    I think the Kingair 90 is a great aircraft
    Looking forward to your opinion about Nextant

  • @Joe_Not_A_Fed
    @Joe_Not_A_Fed 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The King Air also evolved into the versatile Beach 1900 series of passenger aircraft.

  • @abhishekdev258
    @abhishekdev258 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kingair 360 vs kingair C90 what is the difference?

  • @americanswan
    @americanswan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    ??
    Which King Airs are discontinued? All or only the C90?

  • @michaeltetzner5847
    @michaeltetzner5847 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    interesting to hear how the c90 came about.. But comparing it with single engine turboprops is misleading... Of course a single engine turboprop will have lower operating costs.. Less fuel consumption, only one engine to maintain, etc. etc. and what the heck has the Kodiak to do with all this ? single engine, fixed undercarriage, unpressurized.. Totally different beast.

    • @FloridaFlying
      @FloridaFlying  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah I understand that. I think the c90 compares to the kodiak in its utility and ability to operate from unimproved runways. The tire size and useful load is very similar, with a big difference in top speed

  • @BlackWarriorLures
    @BlackWarriorLures 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wait! The King Air is no longer being produced?

    • @BlackWarriorLures
      @BlackWarriorLures 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Adventures hehe! I thought the bottom had totally fallen out, lol!

  • @Oldjohn52
    @Oldjohn52 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I worked for a glass laminating company that made the passenger compartment windows.

  • @eliasrodriguez4179
    @eliasrodriguez4179 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice video!

  • @SammyTheDitchDoctor
    @SammyTheDitchDoctor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Man. The c90 GTX is my dream plane. Sad. I guess I’ll have to move to #2 and dream of a Royal Duke. Edit: by the way, what does the Pilatus or the TBM cruise at when their single engine fails? Yeah.

    • @rowerwet
      @rowerwet 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Insurance statistics show that the second engine usually gets you to the scene of the crash. Unless you do yearly simulator and actual single engine practice, you'll probably not survive losing one engine in a king air.

    • @SammyTheDitchDoctor
      @SammyTheDitchDoctor 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rowerwet not arguing about inexperienced pilots or rusty skills. Semantics. I’m talking about even having a chance. I prefer to have a second fan out there in case the first one fails.

    • @rowerwet
      @rowerwet 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SammyTheDitchDoctor Aviation is driven by cost, and one significant factor of cost is insurance.
      FedEx really drove the safety of a single PT6 home with the caravan.
      Every single engine turboprop type is able to be sold and used for hire exactly because of the proven reliability of the PT6.
      If insurance companies saw the risk as unacceptable, it would not be a viable replacement for the twin engine models, they don't see it as an unacceptable risk, even for over water flights.
      Individual owners and operations will set their own standards, but the market has spoken

    • @SammyTheDitchDoctor
      @SammyTheDitchDoctor 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rowerwet jeez man. You have an impressive case of diarrhea of the mouth with obscure, unimportant and unrelated facts. I probably shouldn’t mention how many hundreds of hours I’ve logged with out the need for insurance or mention the pt6 proved it’s reliability long before FedEx joined the picture because those statements have nothing to do with my personal opinion that I prefer a second fan. Which is all that was said. I never said a single was unreliable and I certainly didn’t attack Pratt & Whitney. Though with your unrelenting droning I will say things can and do happen - this enforces my desire for a backup or second option especially over dangerous terrain. Thank you for your unsolicited input. Please take your drivel elsewhere.

  • @jtkent28
    @jtkent28 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’m honestly surprised they were even still making the c90 up until recently. I’d have figured it was discontinued many years ago. Still an awesome plane though!

  • @apegues
    @apegues 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder what they’ll replace it with?