Beechcraft King Air 350i
Major upgrades to the 350ER led to the launch of the King Air 350i in December 2009. Designed by Beechcraft to provide optimised space inside its class-leading interior, the King Air 350i employs state-of-the-art technology to reduce fuselage vibration-induced noise, setting new standards for a quiet cabin of a turboprop aircraft.
This aircraft is also capable of landing on short runways, taking you to small airfields, often closer to your destination. Its long cabin is configured in a double Club 4 layout and can accommodate up to 8 passengers. Its baggage compartment is heated, pressurised and fully accessible in flight, and additional baggage can be stored in its external lockers.
As well as providing an extremely comfortable cabin, the King Air has been praised for its high performance and unmatched fuel efficiency, responsible for its low operating costs. Taking passengers further on less fuel makes the King Air 350i perfect for short-haul trips to any airfield at a great price.
Turboprop
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| Category | Turboprop |
| Range* | 2667 km 1440 NM |
| Cruise speed | 578 km/h 312 kts |
| Seats** | 8 |
| Suitcases | 4 |
* with IFR reserves
** in standard configuration
Aircraft Pictures
History
Beechcraft began work on the King Air 350 in 1988 as a replacement for the King Air 300. The aircraft featured a 3.4-foot wingspan increase, winglets, and a 2.9-foot fuselage stretch to accommodate double club seating in the main cabin.
The Super King Air 350 received FAA certification in February 1990 and entered service the same year. The aircraft featured two extra cabin windows on each side and an increased maximum takeoff weight of 15,000 pounds. Over 500 King Air 350s were delivered during the first two decades of production.
Beechcraft announced the improved 350i variant in October 2008, with FAA certification achieved in the third quarter of 2009. The upgrade focused on passenger cabin enhancements, including LED lighting controls in seat armrests, electrochromatic windows, an iPod dock, and high-definition video monitors.
The 350i also benefited from improved sound insulation, reducing cabin noise levels by 4 decibels to 78 dB. More than 440 King Air 350i aircraft were delivered in less than ten years, continuing the Super King Air family's production run that began in 1974 - the longest in its class for civilian turboprops.
FAQ
Can the King Air 350i operate from short or challenging airports like London City or Gstaad?
Yes, the King Air 350i is well suited for airports with shorter runways thanks to its take-off distance of about 3,300 ft (1,006 m) and landing distance of around 2,700 ft (821 m) under standard conditions. This makes it capable of using regional airports that jets cannot always access. At London City (LCY), the 350i can operate provided it is specifically certified for steep approach procedures — this approval is not standard and must be noted in the aircraft’s Flight Manual and operator Op Specs. At Gstaad-Saanen (LSGK), with a 1,400-metre runway at 3,300 ft elevation, the King Air 350i can generally operate safely, though payload and weather conditions must be carefully considered.
How far can the King Air 350i fly without refuelling?
The King Air 350i has an NBAA IFR range of 2,667 km (1,806 nm). This allows for nonstop trips such as London to Athens, Geneva to Marrakech, or New York to Dallas. While not as long-legged as some light jets, its range comfortably covers most regional and medium-haul business or leisure flights.
Is the King Air 350i less expensive to charter than a light jet?
Yes. In many cases the King Air 350i is less expensive to charter than light jets such as the Citation CJ2 or Phenom 300. Its turboprop engines use less fuel, which helps keep hourly rates lower. Jets are quicker in cruise, but the 350i balances speed with cabin capacity and the ability to access shorter runways.
How does the King Air 350i compare with the Pilatus PC-12 or Piaggio Avanti?
The King Air 350i is a twin-engine turboprop, giving it an extra margin of safety over the single-engine PC-12. It also carries more people, seating 8 passengers versus 7 in the PC-12. The Piaggio Avanti is the fastest of the three, cruising around 744 km/h (402 kts), and its cabin is wider and taller than most turboprops, with a feel closer to a light jet, though it generally carries fewer passengers. The PC-12 is usually the most economical to charter, while the Avanti and King Air 350i tend to fall into a similar price range.
