Beechcraft Corporation today announced it will display three King Airs, among other aircraft, at the Dubai Air Show Nov. 17-21 at Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali, Dubai. The company has a year-round presence in Dubai with a sales and support office there as well as a parts distribution center, and it continues to grow its market share of business turboprop aircraft throughout the Middle East region.
“Beechcraft’s presence and market share continues to grow as the region’s use of special mission and business aircraft increases,” said Richard Emery, Beechcraft’s president for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. “Historically, King Airs account for 67 percent of the Middle East’s business turboprop market. During the past five years the Middle East has experienced dramatic growth in business aviation, and nearly 84 percent of business turboprop deliveries in the region are Beechcraft King Airs.”
According to industry data (2012), there are 91 business turboprops registered in the Middle East – 61 of these are King Airs. This same data shows turboprops are increasingly popular in the region: in the last five years, business turboprop deliveries jumped more than 1,000 percent from the previous five years. Beechcraft delivered 29 King Airs to the Middle East from 2008-2012.
“One of Beechcraft’s largest growth segments in the Middle East is special mission applications, and some of the most popular in this region are surveillance, air ambulance and high density configurations,” Emery said. “Operators find that the range and payload capabilities of the King Air and its ability to land on unimproved runways provide cost-effective transportation solutions for intra-regional missions.
Demand for private aviation in the Middle East led Beechcraft to open an office staffed with sales and support experts in Dubai in 2011. Additionally, Beechcraft Parts & Distribution ships genuine factory parts from a distribution center in Dubai.
The company’s static display will include a Beechcraft King Air 350i, a Special Missions King Air 350ER demonstrator, and a Beechcraft King Air C90GTx, among other aircraft.
- King Air 350i – The King Air 350i turboprop features next generation capabilities and efficiency, providing a responsible, sustainable alternative for business air travelers. Not only is the King Air 350i its segment’s greenest aircraft, but it can also take more passengers farther on less fuel – meaning consistent savings for its operators. This, combined with state-of-the-art design and performance enhancements, represents new heights of power and durability, while its new interior means that it has the most comfortable and capable cabin ever offered in its class.
- King Air 350ER – The King Air 350ER demonstrator aircraft is a standard extended-range (ER) airplane, which includes additional fuel capacity and increased capability landing gear allowing for 2,500 nautical mile range and take-off weight of 16,500 lbs. The aircraft’s unique interior configuration highlights the versatility and utility of the King Air family of aircraft with a fully functioning medical station complete with medical oxygen, vacuum and pressure, a medical cabinet and a side-facing, three-place couch for doctor/medical attendants. Additionally, the large cabin provides ample room for the installed airline style seating showcasing standard King Air chairs in a commuter airline mission. In addition, a maritime patrol console has also been installed to demonstrate surveillance configurations.
- King Air C90GTx – With advanced payload and performance enhancements, the King Air C90GTx is part of a long line of hard–working turboprops. With greater range and efficiency, this entry level twin–turboprop aircraft is ready to meet the needs of owners and pilots, as well as value–conscious corporations around the globe. Furthermore, the King Air C90GTx now comes standard with a fully integrated Collins Pro Line 21™ avionics system – the same sophisticated system found in large 30 million dollar jets. Unchanged, however, is the King Air’s singular blend of versatility, ruggedness, comfort and quality.