With more than 7,600 King Air aircraft delivered since 1964 and an estimated 40 million flight hours logged across the King Air series, the Super King Air legacy speaks for itself. But for aircraft operators managing these platforms day-to-day, understanding the specs is only part of the equation. Keeping a King Air 350 mission ready requires access to reliable maintenance, certified repairs, and a global supply chain that can deliver when it matters most.
This guide covers essential King Air 350 specifications—and what operators need to know about maintaining this high-performance aircraft for the long haul.
Manufactured by Textron Aviation, the Beechcraft King Air 350 is a highly proven turboprop aircraft. Since its introduction in 1990, this twin-engine workhorse has earned a reputation for reliability, versatility, and exceptional flight characteristics across business aviation, government operations, and military missions worldwide.
King Air 350 History and Evolution
The Super King Air family traces its roots to the early 1970s with the introduction of the Model 200. Beechcraft introduced the King Air 350 in 1990 as an evolution of the earlier model King Air 300, featuring a longer fuselage stretched by approximately 34 inches and larger wings extended by three feet. The addition of 24-inch graphite composite winglets further distinguished the 350, reducing drag during takeoff and climb while improving overall performance.
Key Model Updates:
- King Air 350 (1990): Original stretched variant with winglets and more powerful engines
- King Air 350i (2008): Enhanced passenger cabin, active noise canceling system, two extra windows per side
- King Air 350ER: Extended-range variant with extra fuel capacity via nacelle-mounted fuel tanks for critical missions
- King Air 360 (2020): Updated version with autothrottles, redesigned cowlings, rudder boost system, and refreshed interior featuring dark wood veneer accents
Today, the King Air 350 remains in active production with over 800 of the 350i model delivered to commercial customers, government agencies, and military operators, including the U.S. Air Force.
Engine Specifications: The Pratt & Whitney Powerplant
The King Air 350 draws its power from two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A turboprop engines, each producing 1,050 shaft horsepower at maximum takeoff. This twin-engine configuration provides the redundancy required for safe operations while delivering impressive performance that rivals light jets in many mission profiles.
PT6A-60A Engine Specs:
- Engine type: Twin-engine turboprop
- Power output: 1,050 SHP per engine (2,100 total)
- Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
These powerful engines allow the aircraft to operate efficiently from shorter runways while carrying substantial payload—a capability that makes the King Air ideal for airborne solutions requiring access to remote or constrained airports.
Engine Maintenance Realities:
The PT6A family is known for reliability, but engine overhauls represent a significant cost center. Operators can expect to pay between $500,000 and $550,000 for the first overhaul around 3,600 hours, with subsequent overhauls potentially reaching $800,000 to $1.2 million depending on engine condition.
Hot section inspections, compressor condition, and turbine blade wear all influence overhaul timing. For operators, having access to certified engine services and component inventory can mean the difference between a scheduled maintenance event and an extended grounding.
Performance Specifications: Speed and Range
The King Air 350 delivers performance that competes favorably with light jets and even attracts the attention of the occasional PC-12 owner looking for more speed and payload capacity.
Top speed: 312 knots (359 mph)
Cruise speed: 290–300 knots
Maximum range: 1,806 nautical miles
Service ceiling: 35,000 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: 16,500 lbs (350ER)
Useful load: 5,000+ lbs
Fuel burn at cruise: ~503 lbs/hour at FL350
Runway requirements: Under 4,000 feet when fully loaded
The aircraft handles shorter runways with ease, making it suitable for long-distance operations and airports where aircraft with jet engines might struggle. This capability also means that landing gear and airframe components face greater operational stress—a key maintenance consideration for high-utilization fleets.
Cabin and Configuration Overview
The King Air 350’s passenger cabin measures 19.2 feet in length with seating for up to 11 passengers, though standard configurations typically accommodate 8 in a double-club arrangement. The reconfigurable interiors make this aircraft adaptable for executive transport, air ambulance operations, cargo hauling through the large cargo door, and sensor operator stations for surveillance missions.
Standard Features Include:
- Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite (Pro Line 21 on earlier models)
- Weather radar integration
- Active noise canceling system (~78 dB cabin noise level)
- Pressurized cabin with optimal cabin pressure for passenger comfort
- Multiple fuel tanks for extended range capability
The flight deck reduces pilot workload through advanced automation while the avionics suite provides comprehensive situational awareness for operations in challenging conditions.
The Maintenance Challenge: Keeping King Air 350s Mission-Ready
Like all turboprop aircraft, the King Air 350 requires scheduled maintenance and periodic overhauls to ensure long-term performance. Key maintenance challenges include:
Landing Gear Wear and Overhaul:
The King Air 350’s ability to operate from shorter runways and varied surfaces places significant demand on landing gear components. Main gear shock absorbers, drag braces, torque knees, and nose gear assemblies all require inspection and overhaul at defined intervals.
Parts Sourcing and Lead Times:
As the King Air fleet ages, sourcing components for earlier model aircraft becomes increasingly challenging. Some part numbers may have long lead times or limited availability, creating risk for aircraft operators who need to return aircraft to service quickly.
Airworthiness Directive (AD) Compliance:
Operators must stay current with applicable ADs, including:
- AD 2002-01-10: Main landing gear torque knee inspection
- AD 2004-23-02: Nose gear axle and fork inspection (every 200 hours)
Avionics Obsolescence:
Older King Air 350 models equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 systems may face challenges as OEM support for legacy avionics diminishes. Operators must weigh upgrade costs against continued maintenance of aging systems.
Importance of Certified Repair and Parts Availability
For King Air 350 operators, access to certified repair capabilities and quality parts is essential to maintaining safety, performance, and aircraft value. The King Air’s popularity across general aviation and military markets means a robust aftermarket exists, but not all providers offer the same level of expertise or inventory depth.
What Operators Should Look For:
- FAA-certified repair stations with specific King Air experience
- Exchange programs that minimize aircraft downtime during overhauls
- DER repair capabilities for hard-to-find or out-of-production components
- Global support network for consistent service regardless of location
- 24/7 AOG response for time-critical situations
Working with certified facilities ensures:
- Genuine, traceable parts matched to aircraft configuration
- Repairs completed to OEM or FAA-approved standards
- Proper documentation and airworthiness compliance
- Faster turnaround through global inventory-supported MRO support
Landing Gear: A Critical Maintenance Focus
Inspection and Overhaul Schedule:
Landing gear represents one of the most maintenance-intensive systems on the King Air 350—particularly for aircraft supporting critical missions such as air ambulance operations or military surveillance, where reliability is non-negotiable.
Landing gear overhaul intervals for the King Air 350 follow a 8,000-cycle or 6-year schedule for major components, including main gear shock absorbers, drag braces, nose gear assemblies, and the landing gear motor.
Certain components require more frequent inspection. Actuator end-play checks fall due every 1,000 cycles or 30 months, and actuator clevis inspections are required every 1,000 cycles.
Traditional landing gear overhauls can ground an aircraft for weeks. For operators who can’t afford extended downtime, exchange programs offer a faster path back to service.
Landing Gear Support Through Trace Aviation:
Trace Aviation, part of the PAG family, specializes in King Air landing gear overhaul and exchange:
- Zero-downtime exchange program: Receive overhauled gear customized to your serial number—swap and fly
- All attach hardware included: No reusing questionable or worn components
- 2–3 week overhaul turnaround: When you prefer to keep your own gear
- Over 60 FAA-approved processes and repairs
- Magnetic particle and eddy current inspection for critical components
How Precision Aviation Group Supports King Air 350 Operators
Even with a proven aircraft like the Beechcraft King Air 350, operators need reliable support to keep fleets flying for thousands of flight hours. Precision Aviation Group (PAG) provides expert support through global MRO, exchange, and component programs built specifically around the needs of King Air operators.
PAG’s Broader King Air Support:
Through its network of 26 FAA-certified repair stations and 28 locations worldwide, PAG delivers:
- Avionics Support: MRO services, Inspections, Upgrades, Installations
- Component Services: Overhaul and repair for King Air systems and accessories
- DER Repair Capabilities: Restoring hard-to-find components when OEM support ends
- Engine Services: Complete testing, repair, and overhaul support for PT6A & PT6T engines and accessories
- ISMRO®: Inventory-supported MRO for faster repairs and reduced lead times
- 24/7 AOG Support: Round-the-clock availability for critical operations
- Global Consistency: FAA, EASA, CAAC, AS9110 Certifications and more at all PAG repair stations
- Precision Aircraft Services (PAS), our Premier Fly-in Hanger and Repair Station, provides inspections, upgrades, and custom installations
Why Operators Choose PAG
- Immediate access to parts and exchange inventory with rapid shipping
- Faster repair starts—no waiting on procurement
- Reduced aircraft downtime and predictable maintenance cycles
Keep Your King Air 350 Mission-Ready with PAG
The Beechcraft King Air 350 continues to set the standard for turboprop versatility, combining high-performance flight characteristics with operational flexibility that few aircraft can match. From accommodating passengers in executive comfort to supporting air ambulance and special mission requirements, this proven platform delivers the speed, range, and payload capacity that aircraft operators demand.
Understanding King Air 350 specs helps operators make informed decisions—but keeping these aircraft mission-ready requires the right MRO partner with the expertise, inventory, and global reach to minimize downtime and maximize fleet availability.
Ready to discuss your King Air maintenance needs? Connect with PAG to learn more about landing gear exchange, component services, and tailored MRO solutions for your fleet.
