As most anyone who follows business aviation knows, the Beechcraft King Air is currently celebrating its 50th birthday. During those 50 years, thousands of King Airs of have been produced in models ranging from the King Air 90 to the latest and greatest King Air 350i. It almost seems that as many different operators as there have been over the years, there has been as many different mission profiles for these venerable aircraft.
One specific type of special missions bird is the photo ship. Many King Airs have been modified, over the years, to be able to take pictures from the pressurized comfort of the aircraft’s cabin. This is typically done by cutting a hole in the fuselage, installing glass inside the hole, mounts, antennas, etc., and sealing these modifications to the aircraft to protect the pressurization system’s integrity. Of course, there is much FAA paperwork that must go with these mods to have them approved.
A quick search on the Internet reveals multiple King Air models with camera mounts installed inside the plane. These are often used for fire and gas line patrol, search and rescue, and of course, aerial reconnaissance. Governments and general aviation companies all over the world operate these aircraft.
I recently had the opportunity to fly one of these King Air photo ships all over these great United States. N127U is a 1975 King Air A100 with less than 7000 hours total time. It was converted to a camera plane in 1974 shortly after it rolled off the factory floor. Most recently, the aircraft served with the USDA Forestry Service based in southern California and is now owned by the Aircraft Sales division of Davis Aviation in Brandon, Mississippi.
In July, I was able to take my family, some friends, and a coworker to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Everyone had a great time opening the camera bay doors and taking pictures with their cell phones from over twenty thousand feet in this “glass bottom” King Air. I must confess, I was extremely impressed with the quality of some of the pictures. It is quite the experience to be able to look straight down below the aircraft without being in inverted flight with a canopy.
With its short and rough field capabilities, ability to fly in the flight levels, heavy load carrying capabilities, extreme reliability, and other features too numerous to list, the King Air proves time and time again, it is the King of special missions aircrafts.
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About the Author: David Neal
David Neal can best be described as an aviation enthusiast. With more than twenty years of experience in the aviation industry, his roots are grounded deep in general and corporate aviation. Prior to joining the Davis Aviation team, David was a Chief pilot for a multi-aircraft King Air operator, type-rated in multiple jets, flew as captain for a regional airline, and has amassed more than 5000 hours in Beechcraft twin turboprop aircraft. Let David’s two decades of knowledge and operating experience help get you in the airplane that best fits your mission’s needs.