Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Beechcraft King Air 200, 250, and 260 Series

Beechcraft King Air 300, 350, and 360 series

Chad Trautvetter

Not only is the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/airshow-convention-news/sun-n-fun-aerospace-expo-202">Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo</a> marking its 50th anniversary, but Textron Aviation is also celebrating 60 years of Beechcraft King Airs this week at the Lakeland, Florida airshow. The Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer is displaying its flagship King Air 360 along with a Cessna Skyhawk, Turbo Skylane, Turbo Stationair, Caravan, and Citation M2 Gen 2 during the six-day show, which closes on April 14.
“Since its introduction in 1964, the legendary Beechcraft King Air turboprop has become synonymous with unwavering reliability, exceptional performance, and unparalleled versatility, earning the trust and preference of operators worldwide,” Textron Aviation said. “Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it inspires aviation enthusiasts and pilots to maximize the potential of their missions while fueling their passion for flight.”
The first King Air 90 prototype took to the skies on Jan. 24, 1964, followed by a short 10-month flight test schedule which concluded with service entry that October. That was followed by the derivative King Air 100, 200, and 300 series. King Air 90-series turboprop twins were in continuous production from 1964 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-03-08/textron-aviations-king-air-90-citation-sovereign-end">until 2021</a>. Textron Aviation still produces the larger King Air 260 and 360.
According to the company, King Airs “excel in a multitude of scenarios, whether it's taking off from rugged dirt runways, accessing remote and challenging locations across the globe, supporting philanthropic missions, or embarking on extraordinary journeys.”
More than 7,700 of the turboprop twins have been delivered worldwide, with the fleet surpassing 64 million flight hours.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Textron Aviation Celebrates 60 Years of Beechcraft King Airs

First King Air 90 prototype flew on Jan. 24, 1964

Textron Aviation is celebrating 60 years of Beechcraft King Airs this week at the 2024 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, where it is showing its flagship King Air 360.

Textron Aviation Celebrates 60 Years of King Airs

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jennifer Meszaros

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Swiss start-up plans all-electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen-electric versions

Smartflyer Targets 2026 First Flight For SF-1 Electric Aircraft

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Letter of agreement covers 20 of the nine-seat aircraft

UrbanLink Preorders MD Aircraft’s eViator Electric Commuter

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Delivery of the Global 6500s to the Royal Canadian Air Force is slated for mid-2027

Bombardier Nabs $400M Canadian Deal for Global 6500s

Amy Wilder

Hamburg facility begins SIGINT mission system work

Pegasus Advances as First Aircraft Lands in Germany

Bombardier claims the aircraft sets a new bar.

Bombardier’s Latest Global 8000 Business Jet Enters Service

Jessica Reed

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Its fuselage is 3.9 feet longer than the Kodiak 100

Daher Secures Brazilian Certification for Kodiak 900

Hanneke Weitering

Pratt & Whitney Canada is also supporting the program

Boeing-backed Evio Launches Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo 2024

In this article

King Air 90/100 Series

King Air 200 Series

King Air 300 Series

Textron Aviation

More In Aircraft