Sierra 200

The Beechcraft Sierra 200, introduced in 1972, is a twin‑engine, low‑wing aircraft that evolved from the earlier Model 18 and the successful King Air line. Developed by Beechcraft to fill the niche between piston‑powered trainers and larger turboprops, the Sierra 200 featured a strengthened airframe, retractable tricycle landing gear, and two 300‑horsepower Continental IO-520‑D engines. Its spacious 41‑inch cabin accommodated up to six passengers or a crew of two with room for three students, making it popular with flight schools, corporate operators, and government agencies. The aircraft’s flat‑four engine design delivered reliable performance at cruising speeds of 225 knots and a range of 1,100 nautical miles, while its pressurized cabin—unusual for a piston aircraft—offered comfort at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the Sierra 200 earned a reputation for rugged durability and smooth handling, contributing to the transition of many pilots to more complex twin‑engine platforms. Although production ceased in 1982 after 820 units, the Sierra’s legacy endures; many remain in active service, and its design principles continue to influence modern Beechcraft twins such as the King Air 200 series.

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