Beech 200 Super King Air

Origins and Evolution

On October 27, 1972, Beech flew the prototype of a new, improved aircraft in the King Air family, designated the Beech Model 200 Super King Air. It differed from the Model 100 King Air with an increased wingspan, a T-tail, and an enhanced fuel capacity to support more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-41 turboprop engines, allowing for flights with greater loads.

In March 1981, the basic Model 200 was replaced by the Model B200, which featured improved cruising and altitude performance thanks to its PT6A-42 turboprops. The Model B200 remained in production through the late 1990s.

Variants and Specialized Applications

The Super King Air series includes various sub-variants. The Model B200C features a cargo door on the left side in the aft cabin, while the B200SE is a special variant equipped with a Collins EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) avionics suite and an autopilot. Other models, such as the B200T, allow for the installation of removable wingtip fuel tanks, increasing the wingspan to 16.92 meters, and the B200CT combines both the cargo door and wingtip tanks.

There were also versions adapted for specific missions, including two aircraft specially equipped for the French Geographic National Institute for high-altitude aerial photography and meteorological observations. A maritime patrol/multi-purpose aircraft was developed with new outer wing panels for wingtip fuel tanks, reinforced landing gear, an emergency rescue drop hatch, a spherical observation window in the aft cabin, and a search radar with a 360-degree fuselage-mounted antenna fairing. Initial orders included 13 aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard and one for the Uruguayan Navy.

Market Impact and Military Use

By 1995, sales of the Super King Air series surpassed 1,500 units. Although most machines were intended for the civil market, approximately 350 aircraft were acquired by the US Air Force and other countries. Some aircraft perform special tasks; for example, in 1997, the Argentine Navy purchased three “Cormoran” equipped with a Bendix RDR-1500 surveillance radar for coastal patrolling.

Later models include a 2009 production version with a Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit and PT6A-52 engines, as well as a Super King Air B200 variant for private airlines, accommodating up to 13 passengers and potentially featuring an additional baggage compartment in the lower fuselage. In mid-1975, Beech also announced it would test a Model 200 prototype with two Pratt & Whitney JT15D turbofan engines.

Technical Specifications

Modification	B200
Wingspan, m	16.61
Aircraft length, m	13.34
Aircraft height, m	4.57
Wing area, m2	28.15
Empty weight	3419
Maximum takeoff weight	5670
Engine type	2 Turboprop Pratt Whitney Aircraft Canada PT6A-42
Power, hp	2 x 850
Maximum speed, km/h	545
Cruising speed, km/h	523
Economical speed, km/h	475
Practical range, km	3756
Service ceiling, m	10670
Crew	1
Payload	up to 15 passengers or 907 kg of cargo

Image and diagram gallery of the Beech 200 Super King Air

Beech 200 Super King Air	Beech 200 Super King Air
Beech 200 Super King Air	Beech 200 Super King Air
Beech 200 Super King Air	Beech 200 Super King Air
Beech 200 Super King Air	Beech 200 Super King Air
Beech 200 Super King Air	Beech 200 Super King Air