Beechcraft Model 99
The Beechcraft Model 99 is a civilian aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation (later 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 the 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.
Design and development
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 Airliner: Twin-engined Communter and cargo transport aircraft, 10,400 lb max takeoff weight, accommodtaion for a crew of two and up to 15 passengers. powered by two 550-hp (410-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop engines.
- 99 Executive: Executive transport version of the 99 Airliner.
- 99A Airliner: Same as the 99 Airliner, but powered by two 550-hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 engines.
- A99A Airliner: One of a kind, 99A Airliner without wing center section tanks; this aircraft has been scrapped.
- B99 Airliner: Improved version, 10,900 lb max takeoff weight, powered by two 680-hp (507-kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 engines.
- B99 Executive: Excutive transport version of the B99 Airliner.
- C99 Commuter: Improved version, 11,300 lb (5,100 kg) max takeoff weight, Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 engines flat rated at 715 hp)
Operators
Commercial
In July 2011 a total of 130 Beech 99 aircraft remained in civil service, all but two of them in North and South America. Major operators included Alpine Air Express (12 aircraft), Ameriflight (57), Bemidji Airlines (11), and Wiggins Airways (10). 22 other airlines and the National Police of Colombia operated smaller numbers of the type.[1]
Military
- Chile
- Peru
- Thailand
Specifications (Model 99A)
Data from Green[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: Normally 15 passengers (8-seat 'Business Executive' model available)
- Length: 44 ft 6¾ in (13.58 m)
- Wingspan: 45 ft 10½ in (13.98 m)
- Height: 14 ft 4⅓ in (4.37 m)
- Wing area: 279.7 ft² (25.99 m²)
- Empty weight: 5,533 lb (varies depending upon equipment and configuration) (2,515 kg)
- Loaded weight: <!10400 lb (99 and 99A)l 10900 lb (B99 and aircraft modified with Beech Kit 99-5014); 11300 lb (C99)> ()
- Max takeoff weight: 10,400, 10,900, or 11,300 lb – see above (4,727 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20, -27. or -36 turboprop Hartzell constant speed, feathering, and reversing, 550, 680, or 715 eshp depending upon model/mod status (please fix) each
Performance
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
External links
|
|
|
| Beechcraft designation |
|
|
| Military |
|
|
| Drone |
|
|
| Hawker business jet line |
|
|
|
|
|
| General |
|
|
| Military |
|
|
| Accidents/incidents |
|
|
| Records |
|
|