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Welcome to "King Air.org," the online community devoted to King Air owners, operators, pilots, and enthusiasts.

The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation (now Beechcraft Division of Hawker Beechcraft). The King Air line comprises a number of models that have been divided into two families; the Model 90 and 100 series are known as King Airs, while the Model 200 and 300 series were originally marketed as Super King Airs, with "Super" being dropped by Beechcraft in 1996 (although it is still often used to differentiate the 200 and 300 series King Airs from their smaller stablemates). As of October 2007, the only small King Air in production is the C90GT.

The King Air was the first aircraft in its class and has been in continuous production since 1964. It has outsold all of its turboprop competitors combined and is the only small twin-turboprop business aircraft in production. The 200 series Super King Air has been in continuous production since 1974, the longest production run of any civilian turboprop aircraft in its class.

A wonderful series of articles outling the story of the King Air was written by Mike Potts; the two-part story (part 1 and part 2) is available at AvBuyer.com.

Aftermarket modifications and upgrades are available for 90 and 100 Series King Airs. A popular engine upgrade package involves C90, C90A, C90B, and E90 Series aircraft being re-engined with the PT6A-135As of the C90GT. Aircraft with this modification are known as Silverhawk 135s or Blackhawk XPs. A more radical re-engining programme is the Kilo Alpha 290, which involves the replacement of the PT6s in C90 and E90 King Airs with TPE-331s (I had a chance to talk with the Kilo Alpha Team at the NBAA in Atlanta a few years ago - great group of guys).

Among the numerous airframe modifications available, one company offers a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for both 90 and 100 Series aircraft, while another offers a modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking and extending the nose to house a baggage compartment as well as the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft. Modifications available for the King Air 100 include a belly cargo pod similar to those fitted to the Beech 99 and the Model 1300 version of the King Air 200 series.

Avia Design offers a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for 200 Series aircraft and a modification to replace the electro-mechanical landing gear retraction system of early-build aircraft with an electro-hydraulic system.

Raisbeck Inc. (a company that has been heavily involved in developing modifications for the entire King Air line) offers several modifications designed to increase performance (strakes that improve low-speed yaw stability) and carrying capacity (nacelle lockers).

Sierra Nevada Corporation offers a modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking and extending the entire nose to house a baggage compartment as well as the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft.

BLR Aerospace offers King Air winglets similar to those of the B300 for 200 series and other 300 series King Airs.

Commuter Air Technology offers a modification to install a Forward looking infrared camera in an extended nose in B200 King Airs. Other modifications available are to convert standard 200 Series King Airs to configurations equivalent to the Model 1300 or Model 200C and B200C King Airs; and to modify B300s (typically delivered with an eight-seat corporate interior) to allow more passengers and baggage to be carried.

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