The King Air is the longest-lived business jet prop airplane flying today, having been in continuous production since 1964. The flexibility and modifiability of the aircraft is one of the reasons for its success.
The manufacturer, Beechcraft, and third party companies have developed modifications of the King Air to improve its flight characteristics as well its cabin capacity and functionality. Older versions can be upgraded to achieve many of the flight improvements of the newer models.
Seating and cargo capacity is flexible. In all models, seating capacity can be altered. The B200, B300 and B350 models have a normal seating capacity of eight passengers. This can be modified to a high density arrangement for up to 13 passengers. Space within the cabin can be allocated flexibly for cargo, tables, different seating arrangements, office seating.
These are among the King Air modifications available.
- To increase luggage capacity, nacelle wing lockers can be installed to provide storage outside of the fuselage.
- Third party manufacturers offer modifications such as dual aft body strakes, stabilizers mounted on the body of the plane to reduce yawl and drag.
- King aircraft can be equipped with high flotation gear (HFG) tires for improved landing on rough surfaces. Fully enclosed high flotation gear doors can be installed to restore normal streamlining to compensate for the HFG.
- Engine modifications can update older King aircraft to the higher flight standards of later models. Engine modifications can significantly add to the speed and maximum altitude of the aircraft.
- Winglets can be installed on King aircraft wingtips to improve flight stability, especially handling at low speeds.
- Wing spars can be replaced to improve the durability of the wings.
- Electro-hydraulic landing gear systems can be installed to replace the electro-mechanical system on early King models.
- Modifications can be made to extend the nose of the King Air. These extensions could be used to increase storage space on the plane as well as to locate avionics.
- Forward looking infra-red cameras can be installed in the nose to improve night navigation.
- Four or five blade propellers can be installed.
The King Air has proven itself for many years as a business aircraft. Flexibility in the design of the plane is one of the reasons.