Beechcraft
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
The Beechcraft Model 99, commonly called the Beechcraft 99 Airliner, is a twin‑engine, pressurized turboprop transport that entered service in the late 1960s. Developed from the King Air and Model 18 line, Beechcraft rolled out the prototype in 1965 and received FAA certification in 1968. Over 500 units were built before production ended in 1982, serving regional airlines, corporate operators, and government agencies worldwide.
Key features include a low‑wing aluminum airframe, two Pratt & Whitney PT6A‑27 engines delivering 620 shaft horsepower each, and a capacity for 15–18 passengers in a simple, high‑density cabin layout. The aircraft’s rugged landing gear and short‑field performance allowed operations from airports with runways as short as 3,000 feet, while its pressurized cabin provided passenger comfort at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. Cockpit instrumentation was conventional analog, later upgraded to optional glass panels in retrofit programs.
The Beechcraft 99’s significance lies in its role as an early, cost‑effective commuter solution that helped define the regional airline market in North America. Its reliability, low operating costs, and versatility made it a workhorse on feeder routes, influencing subsequent designs such as the Beechcraft 1900 series.
Key features include a low‑wing aluminum airframe, two Pratt & Whitney PT6A‑27 engines delivering 620 shaft horsepower each, and a capacity for 15–18 passengers in a simple, high‑density cabin layout. The aircraft’s rugged landing gear and short‑field performance allowed operations from airports with runways as short as 3,000 feet, while its pressurized cabin provided passenger comfort at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. Cockpit instrumentation was conventional analog, later upgraded to optional glass panels in retrofit programs.
The Beechcraft 99’s significance lies in its role as an early, cost‑effective commuter solution that helped define the regional airline market in North America. Its reliability, low operating costs, and versatility made it a workhorse on feeder routes, influencing subsequent designs such as the Beechcraft 1900 series.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 13.58 metre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 239
- First Flight
- 1966
- Service Entry
- 1968
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Beechcraft
- Developer
- Beechcraft
- Operator
-
Holmström Flyg Pleuger Flugdienst Mesa Airlines Quebecair Express Piedmont Airlines Nightexpress
- Wikidata ID
- Q120323