Beechcraft King Air C90GTx

Beechcraft By Textron Aviation

Beechcraft’s history dates back to 1932. Founded in Wichita, Kansas by Walter and Olive Beech with engineer Ted Wells, the company quickly made its mark on the aviation industry. The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing took to the skies that same year. Because of the Staggerwing’s success, the distinctive staggered wing aircraft became a symbol of Beechcraft. This resulted in them producing over 750 Staggerwings.

After the wildly successful Staggerwing, Beechcraft continued production by introducing the legendary Bonanza in 1947. This sleek, single-engine aircraft with impressive speed holds the remarkable distinction of being the longest-continuously produced plane in the world.

Beechcraft’s storied legacy extended beyond the Bonanza with the launch of the King Air, Super King Air, and Baron models. These versatile aircraft cemented Beechcraft’s position as a leading manufacturer of both private and commercial planes.

In 1950, following Walter Beech’s passing, his wife Olive took over the reins as acting CEO. Under her remarkable leadership and resilience, the company continued thriving until its acquisition in 1980.

Fast forward to 2014, Beechcraft was under the Textron Aviation umbrella, alongside renowned aviation brands like Cessna and Piper Aircraft. Even as part of this larger aviation family, Beechcraft maintains its distinct brand identity, honoring the legacy of its founders. To this day, Beechcraft remains a driving force in the aviation industry, offering a diverse range of high-performance, reliable, and innovative aircraft.

Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Development

The King Air Model 90 was developed as a turboprop upgrade to the piston-engine Queen Air in 1961. The entire King Air line of twin-turboprop models is divided into 2 series: Model 90 and Model 100. The first 90 aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6 engines and assigned serial number LJ-1. That marks the beginning of a long evolutionary production run that continues today.

Two years later, Beechcraft introduced the A90 model, improved with a higher altitude cabin, reversible propellers, and PT6A-20 engines. In 1968, the B90 entered production featuring a 4-foot longer wingspan and a higher 9,650 lb. takeoff weight.

In 1971, the C90 arrived with the serial number LJ-502. A major change includes eliminating the single engine-driven supercharger pressurization system and introducing the dual-engine bleed air environmental system. In 1975, the serial number LJ-668 was offered with improved PT6A-21 engines. Beechcraft also introduces the Model E90 and then the F90 in the 1970s. By 1981, engineers begin investigating, designing, and certifying performance improvements for the King Air product line. This resulted in the introduction of the Super King Air 200, which made its first delivery in August 1982.

Beechcraft introduced the C90-1 in 1982, using the same engines as earlier C90 models. However, these newer variants experience an increase in Interstage Turbine Temperature (ITT) from 635° to 680°, increasing cruise speeds by more than 15 knots to 237 ktas. A stronger 200-series type cabin door and double-pane side windows are added to accommodate an increased cabin pressure differential of 5.0 Preset Pressure Differential (PSID).

Starting with LJ-1063 in 1984, the C90A introduced hydraulically operated landing gear, a new pitot engine cowling, and a higher 695° engine ITT. These improvements add another 11 knots to the cruise speed, now at 248 KTAS.

In 1986, Raisbeck Engineering certified its EPIC Performance Improvement Package for all C90 models from 1973 through Beechcraft’s then-new production C90As. This EPIC System consists of Hartzell/Raisbeck 4-blade turbofan propellers dual AFT body strakes, increased gross weight to 10,100 lbs., and measurably better FAA-approved takeoff and landing distances. Beechcraft followed in 1987, increasing the C90A’s takeoff weight to 10,100 lbs. beginning with LJ-1138.

In 1992, Beechcraft redesignated the C90A as a C90B, offering the 90˝ McCauley 4-blade propellers, better soundproofing, and an improved avionics package. Takeoff distances are slightly longer. Eventually, the McCauley propellers are replaced with 90˝ Hartzell propellers of similar aerodynamic design. Then, Raisbeck’s engineers increase the takeoff weight to 10,350 lbs., and then to its present-day MTOW of 10,500 lbs. All FAA-approved takeoff, climb, and landing performance improvements have been retained across the board. Applicable serial numbers are LJ-527 and subsequent, through today’s C90GTx.

Country of Origin: America

Beechcraft King Air 90 Statistics

Below are general specifications for the Beechcraft King Air C90GTx.

Maximum Speed: 270 kias
Maximum Range: 1,260 nm
Maximum Occupants: 8
Range Of Years Manufactured: 1964-2020
Total Aircraft Build: 7,800
Current Operational Aircraft: 3,000+
Useful Load: 3,280 lbs.
Average Sale Value: $1,469,571
Average Days On Market For Sale: 40
VREF Demand Rating: Join VREF Online

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

C90 Operations

Maintenance Document

Local Resources

Textron Aviation Inc. (Domestic and International Service Centers)
CSOBeech.com

Manufacturer

Beechcraft

Insurance

Beechcraft King Air 90 Details

Below are the details for the latest Beechcraft King Air C90GTx aircraft variant.

Interior

The King Air C90GTx offers a quiet aircraft cabin that comfortably seats up to 8 passengers. This aircraft also features spacious club-style seating that fully reclines, with ample head and shoulder room. Other interior features include well-designed cabinetry, a convenient lavatory with seatbelts, and in-flight accessible storage compartments. The King Air C90GTx flight deck is equipped with Rockwell Collins™ Pro Line Fusion™ avionics for enhanced situational awareness, control, flight management, and convenient presets for reconfiguring all 3 displays.

Exterior

Beechcraft’s King Air C90GTx is a turboprop aircraft powered by two 550-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines. Its exterior features a 4-blade, constant speed, auto feathering, and reverse Hartzell propeller.

Standard Features

Intuitive Graphical Touchscreen Flight Planning
High-Resolution Synthetic Vision System (SVS)
Convenient Presets to Reconfigure all 3 Displays with a Single Touch
Full Multi-Sensor Flight Management System
Integrated Touchscreen Checklists
Open Scalable Architecture for Future Upgrades & Mandates
NextGen & Precision GPS Capabilities

Avionics

Autopilot Collins FGC-3000
EFIS Collins AFD-3010
FMS Collins FMS-3000 with GPS-4000S
TAWS ACSS TW-950
Dual Collins VHF-4000 with 8.33 KHz Spacing
Dual Collins #1 NAV-4500 & #2 NAV-4000
DME Collins DME-4000
Air Data Dual Collins ADC-3010
Radar Altimeter Collins ALT-4000
CVR L3 Communications FA2100
XM Weather Collins XMWR-1000

Specifications

Wing Span: 53 ft. 8 in.
Takeoff (50 ft.): 2,275 ft.
Max Takeoff Weight: 10,485 lbs.
Configuration: Twin Engine, Turboprop
Max Seats: 10
Cruise: 219 kts
Range: 1,059 nm
Takeoff Run: 1,010 ft.
Landing Roll: 1,250 ft.
Length: 35 ft. 6 in.
Height: 14 ft. 3 in.

Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Models

Model 87

Beechcraft’s “proof-of-concept” test aircraft Model 87 is based on the Model A80 with PT6A-6 turboprops. Only 1 was built.

Model 65-90

Drawing inspiration from the Model 88, this variant features two PT6A-6 turboprop engines and a maximum takeoff gross weight of 9,000 lbs. A total of 112 units were produced.

Model 65-A90

This aircraft is an upgraded version of the Model 90 with a higher takeoff gross weight of 9,300 lbs., two PT6A-20 engines, a redesigned flight deck, and a new engine de-icing system. A total of 206 units were produced.

Model 65-A90-1

Based on Beechcraft’s Model 87, this unpressurized variant incorporated square windows and two PT6A-20 engines. 141 units were built and delivered to the US Army under the designation U-21A.

Model 65-A90-2

Model 65-A90-2 is a 5-seat specialized electronic warfare variant of the A90-1. Only 3 units were constructed for the US Army, initially designated U-21B and later redesignated RU-21B.

Model 65-A90-3

Beechcraft’s Model 65-A90-3A is a variant of the A90-2 with improved electronic equipment. Two units were built for the US Army under the designation RU-21C.

Model 65-A90-4

The Project Guardrail is a variant of the A90-2 with strengthened airframes and a higher gross weight. A total of 16 units were constructed for the US Army.

Model B90

Beechcraft built 184 Model B90s using a similar design to the A90. However, this model is equipped with many improvements and upgrades including a maximum takeoff gross weight of 9,650 lbs., an improved wing span, and enhanced panel instruments.

Model C90

The Model C90’s design is based on the B90, incorporating the Model 100’s cabin environment and pressurization system. 507 Model C90s were produced.

Model C90-1

The Model C90-1 aircraft is an improved version of the C90 with an E90 tailplane, increased power output, and a higher maximum cabin pressure differential. 54 Model C90-1s were built from 1982 to 1983.

Model C90A

An enhanced variant of the C90-1 with improved landing gear retraction, an upgraded electrical system, and the F90-1’s pressurization and heating system. A total of 235 units were manufactured between 1984 and 1992. This aircraft is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney PT6A-21 reverse-flow, free-turbine turboprop engines, each with 550 horsepower.

C90B / C90SE

Engineers designed the King Air C90SE to be a more economical version of the Beech C90B. However, this updated aircraft featured 3-bladed propellers and mechanical instruments. C90B and C90SE are marketing names for updated versions of the C90A produced between 1992 and 2005. A total of 456 units were built. The C90B model had a maximum takeoff weight of 10,100 lbs., quieter Hartzell 4-blade, constant-speed, full-reversing 90-in-diameter propellers, and a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) system.

Model C90GT

A total of 97 Model C90GTs were built and equipped with PT6A-135A engines for improved climb and cruise performance.

Model C90GTi

The C90GTi aircraft is a version of the C90GT featuring a glass cockpit with the Collins Proline 21 avionics suite. At least 90 units were manufactured.

Model C90GTx

Introduced in 2010, the C90GTx is inspired by the C90GTi. The newer version includes factory-standard winglets and an increased maximum takeoff weight of 10,485 lbs.

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Beechcraft King Air 90

Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Development

Beechcraft King Air 90 Statistics