Queen Air A65

The Beechcraft Model 65 Queen Air is a twin‑engine, high‑wing utility aircraft that first flew in 1958 and entered production the following year. Developed from the earlier Beechcraft Model 18, the Queen Air was designed to offer greater payload, improved comfort, and modern avionics while retaining the rugged reliability that made the Model 18 popular with military and civilian operators. Over its 12‑year production run, Beechcraft built more than 1,600 Queen Airs in several variants, including the A65, B65 and C65, each differing in engine power, seating capacity and optional equipment such as cargo doors or floats.

Key features include a 35‑foot wingspan, all‑metal construction, and two Lycoming or Continental engines delivering between 300 and 350 horsepower. The cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers or a combination of passengers and freight, making the aircraft versatile for regional airline service, cargo transport, medical evacuation and flight‑training missions. Its relatively low operating costs and short‑field performance earned it a reputation as a workhorse for remote‑area operators.

Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the Queen Air was popular with civilian charters and armed forces worldwide. The U.S. Army bought the A65 for liaison duties; the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Philippine Air Force used it for transport and training. Optional turbo‑normalizer and larger fuel tanks extended range to over 1,200 nautical miles, allowing cross‑country flights from modest strips. Its simple systems and forgiving handling made it an excellent platform for pilot transition to multi‑engine flight, and many surviving aircraft have been upgraded with modern glass cockpits.

The Queen Air’s significance lies in bridging the gap between small single‑engine trainers and larger turboprop transports, influencing later Beechcraft designs such as the King Air series and cementing Beechcraft’s role in mid‑20th‑century general aviation.