Beech King Air 90

Twin Turboprop· 858 globally registered

The Beechcraft King Air C90 series represents one of the most successful light twin turboprops ever built, with continuous production spanning from 1971 through 2021 across multiple variants. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 engines (later models upgraded to PT6A-135A), the C90 carved out a unique niche between smaller piston twins and larger cabin-class turboprops, offering genuine turbine reliability and pressurization in a compact airframe that could operate from shorter runways than its King Air 200 and 300 siblings. The type became the backbone of air ambulance fleets, corporate shuttles, and regional cargo operations precisely because it balanced operating economics with the ability to carry six to eight passengers in pressurized comfort at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. Its rugged landing gear and docile handling made it popular for operations into unimproved strips across Alaska, the Australian outback, and remote island chains. The C90's longevity is remarkable: Beechcraft delivered over 1,300 airframes across five decades, with later variants like the C90GTx incorporating glass cockpits and autothrottle while retaining the original's proven wing and empennage design. The type remains a workhorse in medical evacuation roles, where its combination of speed (cruise around 226 knots), range (roughly 1,000 nautical miles with reserves), and cabin access for stretcher loading proved ideal. SkyMeter has tracked 2,121 flights across 485 airframes and 275 operators, with GUARDIAN FLIGHT LLC the largest observed operator.