The Beechcraft Queen Air is a twin engine light aircraft produced by Beechcraft in several different versions from 1960 to 1978. Based upon the Twin Bonanza, with which it shared key components such as wings, engines, and tail surfaces, but featuring a larger fuselage, it served as the basis for the highly successful King Air series of turboprop aircraft. It is often used as a private aircraft, a utility, or a small commuter airliner. Production ran for the best part of two decades.
This is the Queen Air powered by two Lycoming IGSO-480s producing 340 hp with a 1400 hour TBO. It had a gross weight of 7700 lb with useful loads around 2000 lb. It is easily recognized by its straight unswept tail. Usually referred to as a "straight 65", it was produced from 1960 to 1966.
First produced in 1967 the A65 is very similar to the straight 65. The major change was the addition of a swept tail giving the aircraft a much more modern appearance. Available fuel was also increased. Production ended in 1971.
Introduced in 1968, this aircraft is similar to the A65 in that it is powered by the 340 HP Lycoming IGSO-480, however it has the longer wing of the 80 series. This allows the 70 to have a greater lifting ability than the 65 but a lower fuel burn than the 80. It is, essentially, an A65 with the B80 wing. Its gross weight is 8,200 lb and useful loads could be as high as 2,400 lb. Production ended in 1971. |