Raytheon-Beech Raytheon 300 Super King Air

Twin Turboprop· 437 globally registered

The Beechcraft King Air 90 series, designated BE30 in ICAO parlance, represents one of the most successful light twin-turboprop designs in aviation history. First flown in 1963 as a turboprop evolution of the piston-powered Queen Air, the King Air 90 introduced Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines to a pressurized cabin that could carry six to ten passengers in executive comfort or light cargo in utility configurations. Beechcraft produced the type continuously for nearly four decades, with variants including the original Model 90, the stretched A90, the improved B90, and the popular C90 series that became the backbone of countless air taxi, charter, and corporate flight departments worldwide. The King Air 90's combination of 250-knot cruise speed, 1,200-nautical-mile range, and ability to operate from short runways made it ideal for regional connectivity and executive transport. Its rugged landing gear, proven PT6 powerplants, and relatively simple systems earned it a reputation for reliability in challenging environments from Alaskan bush operations to African medical evacuations. The type remains popular in government service, with the U.S. military operating variants as the T-44 trainer and various agencies using it for surveillance, calibration, and transport missions. SkyMeter has tracked 254 flights across 71 airframes and 52 operators, with FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION the largest observed operator.