Beechcraft Queen Air
| Queen Air | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Beechcraft B65 Queen Air | |
| Role |
Utility aircraft Airliner |
| Designer | Beech Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 28 August 1958 |
| Introduction | 1960 |
| Status | Active service |
| Produced | 1960-1978 |
| Number built | 930 |
| Unit cost |
$135,000 (Model 80 in 1962) |
| Developed into |
Beechcraft King Air Beechcraft Model 99 |
$135,000 (Model 80 in 1962)
The Beechcraft Queen Air is a twin-engined light aircraft produced by Beechcraft in several different versions from 1960 to 1978. Based upon the Twin Bonanza, with which it shared key components such as wings, engines, and tail surfaces, but featuring a larger fuselage, it served as the basis for the highly successful King Air series of turboprop aircraft. It is often used as a private aircraft, a utility, or a small commuter airliner. Production ran for 17 years.
The company's Twin Bonanza was reaching the limits of development so Beechcraft decided to develop a design with a larger fuselage and new tail which it designated the Beech 65. Early in development the United States Army which had been a customer of the Twin Bonanza (which it called the L-23 Seminiole), order 68 aircraft under the designation L-23F. The prototype Beech 65 first flew on 28 August 1958.
The Queen Air is a twin-engined nine-seat low-wing cantilever cabin monoplane with a retractable landing gear with a nose wheel. It was initially powered by two 340 hp (250 kW) Lycoming IGSO-480 six-cylinder, horizontally opposed piston engine.
The Model 65 received a Federal Aviation Authority type certificate on the 4 February 1959 and the first deliveries were made soon after. On 8 February 1960 a Queen Air achieved a new height record of 34,862 feet.
The basic Model 65 was in production until 1967 when the improved Model A65 with a swept rather than vertical tail was introduced. Production continued with further variants introducing pressurisation and turboprop engines.
This is the Queen Air powered by two Lycoming IGSO-480s producing 340 hp (250 kW) with a 1400-hour TBO. It had a gross weight of 7,700 lb (3,500 kg) with useful loads around 2,000 lb (910 kg). It is easily recognized by its straight unswept tail. Usually referred to as a "straight 65". Produced from 1960 to 1966.
First produced in 1967 the A65 is very similar to the straight 65. The major change was the addition of a swept tail giving the aircraft a much more modern appearance. Available fuel was also increased to 264 gal with the extended wing. The Lyc. IGSO480 engines produced 340 HP @ 3400 rpm with 48 inches of manifold pressure. The gross weight was also increased to 8200 lbs (A65-8200). A few models were produced with a cargo door, next to the airstair door with provided a 48-inch opening. Production ended in 1971. This aircraft was used in Canada by Perimeter Airlines from 1968 to 1998.
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