Beechcraft Model 99

The Beechcraft Model 99 is a civilian aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation (previously the Beechcraft Division of Raytheon and now a unit of Hawker Beechcraft). It is also known as the Beech 99 Airliner and the Commuter 99. The 99 is a twin-engined, unpressurized, 17-seat/15 passenger turboprop aircraft, derived from earlier Beechcraft King Air and Queen Air, using the wings of the Queen Air, and the engines and nacelles of the King Air, and sub-systems from both, and with a unique nose structure used only on the 99.

History

Designed in the 1960s as a replacement for the Beechcraft Model 18 its first flight was in July 1966. It received type certification on May 2, 1968, and sixty-two aircraft were delivered by the end of the year.

In 1984, the Beechcraft 1900, a pressurized 19-passenger airplane, was the follow on aircraft.

Production ended in 1986. Nearly half the Beech 99s in airline service are now operated as freighters by Ameriflight.

Models

• 99: (10,400 lb max takeoff weight, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 engines flat rated at 550 hp)
• 99A: (same as 99, but PT6A-27 engines flat rated at 550 HP)
• A99A: (one of a kind, 99A without wing center section tanks; this aircraft has been scrapped)
• B99 Airliner: (10,900 lb max takeoff weight, PT6A-27 engines flat rated at 680 hp)
• B99 Executive:
• C99 Commuter: 11,300 lb max takeoff weight, PT6A-36 engines flat rated at 715 hp)

Operators

Civilian

In August 2006 a total of 134 Beech B99 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include: Alpine Air Express (14), Ameriflight (57) and Bemidji Airlines (10). Some 25 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.

Military

Specifications (Model 99A)

See also

References

External links

• Airliners.net's background of the 99