Beechcraft Model 99
| Model 99 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A Jamaica Air Shuttle Model 99 | |
| Role | Twin-engined utility monoplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| First flight | July 1966 |
| Introduction | 1968 |
| Status | Active |
| Produced | 1966-1987 |
| Developed from | Beechcraft King Air Beechcraft Queen Air |
The Beechcraft Model 99 is a civilian aircraft produced by the Beechcraft. It is also known as the Beech 99 Airliner and the Commuter 99. The 99 is a twin-engine, unpressurized, 15 to 17 passenger seat 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, it first flew in July 1966. It received type certification on May 2, 1968, and 62 aircraft were delivered by the end of the year.
In 1984, the Beechcraft 1900, a pressurized 19-passenger airplane, was introduced as the follow-on aircraft.
Production ended in early 1987. Nearly half the Beech 99s in airline service are now operated as freighters by Ameriflight.
Variants
- 99 Airliner: Twin-engined Commuter and cargo transport aircraft, 10,400 lb max takeoff weight, accommodation 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 Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 engines flat-rated at 550 hp.
- 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-27/28 engines.
- B99 Executive: Executive 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
In July 2016, 106 Beechcraft B99 were in airline service, all in Americas:[1]
- 56: Ameriflight
- 11: Alpine Air
- 10: Bemidji Airlines and Wiggins Airways
- 10: Freight Runners Express
- 2: Hummingbird Air, InterCaribbean Airways, North Wright Airways and Orca Airways
- 1: Courtesy Air and Northwestern Air
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 () each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 205 knots (380 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
- Range: 910 nm (1,048 mi, 1,686 km) at 216 mph (347 km/h) at 8,000 ft (2,440 m)
- Service ceiling: 26,200 ft (7,988 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.63 m/s)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
- ↑ "World Airliner Census". Flight Global. August 2016.
- ↑ Green, William, The Observers Book of Aircraft, Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, 1970. ISBN 0-7232-0087-4
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beechcraft Model 99. |