Beechcraft King Air 300 Charter Plane Information
The King Air 300 charter plane is an extremely versatile twin-engine turboprop produced by Beechcraft. The next generation of the King Air 200 series, the King Air 300 shares the same T-tail design, which provides enhanced stability on takeoff and landing. This premier turboprop can soar up to an altitude of 35,000 feet, increasing air charter safety and comfort for all of its passengers. This service ceiling is, on average, 10,000 feet higher than most competitors. The 300 also climbs at an impressive rate—2,844 feet-per-minute—which allows this turboprop to reach altitude quickly. The 16-foot, eight-inch cabin of the King Air 300 is roomy and comfortable for longer flights. In its ideal corporate configuration, this turboprop will seat six executives in total comfort. Plus, there’s a generous internal storage compartment measuring 55 cubic feet. Conveniently located to the right of the aft airstair, there’s no need to lug your bags through the cabin.
Performance You Can Count on
Beechcraft made additional modifications to dramatically improve aerodynamics and power of the 300 series. The King Air 300 can fly at a long-range cruise speed of 265 mph up to a maximum range of 1,920 nautical miles. For shorter charter flights, it manages an impressive 362 mph. Private charter flights from Charleston, South Carolina to the Florida Keys on a charter flight are common. While these improved cruising speeds aren’t quite in the same league as competitors in the light jet market, the difference in flight times for short hops is becoming less of a concern. For those who would rather have the comfort of a more spacious cabin, the 300 is worth considering. Building on the success of the King Air B200, the King Air 300 is a remarkable plane. Beechcraft began deliveries to the public in 1984, with some of its major improvements including:
- More powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A turboprop engines
- Increased MTOW (Maximum Takeoff Weight, 14,000 pounds)
- More aerodynamic profile
Class-leading Payload Capabilities
As a result of the power delivered by the Pratt & Whitney dash-60 power plants, the 300 series enjoys the highest power-to-weight ratio of all the King Airs. If you need a charter plane capable of transporting full passenger loads long distances, this is it. 300-series models also have the ability to:
- Climb directly to their 35,000-foot service ceiling at MTOW
- Carry more than double the payload with full fuel
Yet, the King Air 300 also shares many of the positive traits with its predecessor. Those who fly it (both owners and charter operators) praise its easy-handling nature. They also laud its incredible versatility, as this workhorse turboprop is capable performing many different roles:
- Corporate transport
- Air ambulance
- Cargo transport
For air charter clients who need to move freight, Beechcraft developed a special variant, called the 300C, which features an additional cargo door. By the time Beechcraft ceased production of the King Air 300 in 1991, they had produced 219 of these exquisitely designed aircraft. At that point, they switched over to the larger, upgraded King Air 350 (originally called the King Air B300), which remains in production today. Current models include:
- King Air 350i
- King Air 350ER (Extended Range)
