- 22 Dec 2022
- Tony Kioussis
- BizAv Market Insight
The C90 King Air, introduced by Beechcraft in 1971, featured much improved pressurisation, derived from the system on the King Air 100, and better cabin environmental systems. This versatile business turboprop has a range of nearly 1,400 miles and the 4/5 seat cabin, which is accessed via a drop-down airstair door, includes an optional rear toilet.
A King Air C90 costs between $0.87m (1985 model) and $1.90m (2005 model) according to Aircraft Bluebook’s Autumn 2022 data. These prices represent the average retail price for the model year. Individual aircraft could sell for above or below the average retail price for their model-year, depending on a range of factors including maintenance condition, time on the airframe and engines before the next overhaul, and whether or not the aircraft is enrolled on an engine maintenance program, among other things. The sale price will be negotiated between the buyer and seller, based on these factors.
There are a huge range of options in the entry-level twin turboprop market, depending on an operator’s budget and need. These include many of the aircraft in the Super King range, with the King Air C90GTx offering a more modern take on the easy-to-fly, accessible, comfortable King Air C90.
The King Air C90 has a greater wingspan than its predecessors in the family, while the increase in maximum take-off weight means it packs a greater punch in terms of capacity and carrying load than earlier King Air 90-series aircraft.
The King Air C90A was manufactured until 1992, with most of the aircraft produced having a larger maximum take-off weight than the King Air C90. Moreover, the C90A offered a new, damage-tolerant, multi-element wing spar, and aerodynamically-improved engine cowlings, along with a range of other improvements on earlier models.
Beechcraft King Air C90 Turboprop Overview
By Gerrard Cowan - Editor, Aircraft Reviews
The Beechcraft King Air C90 was introduced 50 years ago, but has a fan-base in the pre-owned turboprop market today, owing to its versatility which ensures it appeals to a wide cross-section of operators.
The twin-engine King Air C90 turboprop has a range of 840nm, and can accommodate up to five passengers and a pilot. It features much improved pressurization over earlier aircraft in the Model 90 series, derived from the technology used on the King Air 100 range.
Over its production run, Beechcraft produced 516 King Air C90s, according to data from JETNET.
For the latest market data and full specification information for the King Air C90 view the live data feeds on this page from Aircraft Blue Book, JETNET, Conklin & de Decker and Asset Insight.
What features does the Beechcraft King Air C90 offer?
Earlier Beechcraft King Air C90 models feature two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20A engines, along with an improved maximum take-off weight compared to preceding 90-series aircraft.
From 1975 onwards, the aircraft’s engines were changed to a pair of PT6A-21 powerplants.
What came before and after the Beechcraft King Air C90?
The King Air C90 was one of many aircraft conceived and manufactured by Beechcraft in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Its immediate predecessor was the King Air B90, which is much the same aircraft, except for the improved cabin pressurisation system utilized by the C90 model.
The King Air E90 was introduced just one year after the C90, and is very similar, except that it had PT6A-28 engines, boosting the maximum take-off weight.
There have been a range of other entrants to the family over the decades, with the King Air C90GTx being the most recent platform. The C90GTx improved on 2008’s King Air C90GTi in several ways, notably through the increase in maximum take-off weight to 10,585lbs.
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