King Air A100A

The Beechcraft King Air A100A is a twin‑engine turboprop that entered service in the early 1970s as the first pressurised aircraft in Beechcraft’s King Air family. Developed from the earlier Model 90, the A100A featured a longer, more aerodynamically refined wing, a larger cabin, and an upgraded Allison 250‑B17D turboprop powerplant delivering 420 shaft horsepower per engine. Its cruising speed of roughly 300 knots, range of 1,300 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 33,000 feet made it attractive to corporate operators, air‑medical services, and military customers worldwide. The aircraft’s robust landing gear, simple systems, and low operating costs set a new standard for utility transport, while its pressurised cabin offered comfortable altitude flight for up to nine passengers. Over 1,000 units were produced, and the A100A became the backbone of many governmental and commercial fleets, influencing later King Air models such as the 200 and 300 series. Its legacy endures as a versatile workhorse that demonstrated the commercial viability of turboprop technology, shaping the evolution of twin‑engine business aviation for decades. Today, restored A100As continue to fly with private owners, preserving the aircraft’s historic contribution to modern aviation.

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