Frequently asked questions
King Air 360ER: what kind of aircraft is it and what to consider when buying?
The 360ER is the top of the line with extended tanks: range grows to almost 5,000 km versus ~3,500 km on the standard 360. Eight seats, 561 km/h, two PT6A-60A engines, auto-throttle and Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics. This is a turboprop for long regional legs — Vienna–Athens or London–Lisbon on a single hop, or direct flights across Europe. There is no flight attendant or hot meal service — the cabin is compact. There is no in-flight baggage access — bags are loaded on the ground. On typical legs it covers routes such as London–Amsterdam · London–Malta · Dubai–Maldives. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How much does the King Air 360ER cost: purchase and running costs?
Guide figures for the King Air 360ER: average pre-owned price — $6M; new — $9.2M. Running costs at 300–400 h/year — about $884K/year, or $2,210 per flight hour. The final figure depends on year, hours flown, engine-programme status and configuration. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What is Beechcraft known for and which aircraft does it build today?
Beechcraft (part of Textron Aviation) created the King Air, the best-selling twin turboprop in history: more than 7,600 built since 1964. In production today are the King Air 260 (6–8 seats, ~3,100 km) and the King Air 360ER with up to 5,000 km of range, with the single-engine Denali coming. The brand's niche is reliable turboprops for short and unpaved strips. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How reliable is the King Air and what about parts?
The King Air is a byword for durability in the turboprop class: Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines with over 500 million fleet hours, a 3,600-hour overhaul interval and unpaved-strip clearance. A fleet of 6,000+ flying aircraft means parts are always available everywhere — from the US to Central Asia — and routine maintenance is done by any Textron station. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How well does the King Air hold value on the pre-owned market?
More steadily than most jets: a ten-year-old King Air 350 sells for $4–6M against a new 360 at about $8.8M — a loss well under 50% over a decade. Liquidity comes from government bodies, air ambulance and cargo operators buying used aircraft. The quickest to sell are those with a fresh interior and engines under half-life. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How does the King Air differ from the Pilatus PC-12?
The main difference is engine count: the King Air is twin-engine, the PC-12 single. The King Air 260 climbs faster, is cleared for commercial night flights over difficult terrain without restrictions and takes up to 8 passengers. The PC-12 is about 30% cheaper to operate and has a large cargo door. The choice comes down to philosophy: engine redundancy versus ownership economics. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What routes and tasks suit turboprops?
Turboprops are the optimum for flights up to 1,500–2,000 km: London–Geneva, Paris–Milan, Vienna–Munich. Their element is short and unpaved strips: a Pilatus PC-12 lands in 600 m, so thousands of airfields are reachable that a jet physically cannot use. An hour costs one and a half to two times less than a jet, and on legs up to 1,000 km the time penalty is only 15–25 minutes. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What range and how many passengers do turboprops have?
Single-engine aircraft take 4–9 passengers: the TBM 960 seats six over 3,200 km, the Pilatus PC-12 NGX up to nine over 3,400 km. The twin-engine King Air 360ER carries eight almost 5,000 km. Class cruise speed is 500–610 km/h. A rule of thumb: a full cabin cuts maximum range by 20–30%. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How does a turboprop differ from neighbouring classes?
A jet is faster — 750–850 km/h versus 500–610 — and flies higher, above turbulence. The turboprop answers with economics: 220–350 L/hour versus 500–700, a charter hour from $1,800 versus $3,000+, plus access to short unpaved strips. On legs up to 1,000 km the time difference is under half an hour, so short hops make sense by turboprop and long ones by jet. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
Which turboprops are in the fleet and how do they differ?
The fleet has 13 models: the fast Daher TBM 960 and Piper M700 Fury (556–611 km/h, 5–6 seats), the roomy Pilatus PC-12 NG/NGX/PRO with a cargo door and nine seats, the twin King Air 260 and 360ER for long legs up to 5,000 km, the business Piaggio Avanti Evo with jet speed and a stand-up cabin, and the affordable Piper M350/M500/M600SLS. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How do you choose an aircraft to buy for your needs?
Start from two numbers: the length of your typical route and the number of passengers. Up to 1,000 km and 4 people — a turboprop or light jet; 2,000–4,000 km — a midsize jet; nonstop intercontinental — a long-range jet. Then adjust for short runways, baggage volume and sleeping berths. We'll match a model to your profile and calculate the ownership economics. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
New aircraft or pre-owned — which is the better buy?
A new aircraft means a factory warranty and a 1–3-year queue, but the price is at its peak. A pre-owned aircraft means immediate delivery and a price 30–60% lower, while engine time and history matter. For most buyers a fresh 3–7-year-old aircraft is optimal: the main depreciation has happened and plenty of life remains. We cost both options. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
