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Beechcraft Model 99
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Top speed
415 km/h
Length
14 m
Cruise speed
380 km/h
Range
1,686 km
Wingspan
14 m
Weight
2,515 kg
Engine type
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6
Similar
Beechcraft 1900, Beechcraft Model 18, De Havilland Canada DHC 6 Twin Otter
The Beechcraft Model 99 is a civilian aircraft produced by the Beechcraft. It is also known as the Beech 99 Airliner and the Commuter 99. The 99 is a twin-engine, unpressurized, 15 to 17 passenger seat turboprop aircraft, derived from the earlier Beechcraft King Air and Queen Air, using the wings of the Queen Air, and the engines and nacelles of the King Air, and sub-systems from both, and with a unique nose structure used only on the 99.
Designed in the 1960s as a replacement for the Beechcraft Model 18, it first flew in July 1966. It received type certification on May 2, 1968, and 62 aircraft were delivered by the end of the year.
In 1984, the Beechcraft 1900, a pressurized 19-passenger airplane, was introduced as the follow-on aircraft.
Production ended in early 1987. Nearly half the Beech 99s in airline service are now operated as freighters by Ameriflight.
Variants
99 Airliner: Twin-engined Commuter and cargo transport aircraft, 10,400 lb max takeoff weight, accommodation for a crew of two and up to 15 passengers. powered by two 550-hp (410-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop engines.
99 Executive: Executive transport version of the 99 Airliner.
99A Airliner: Same as the 99 Airliner, but powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 engines flat-rated at 550 hp.
A99A Airliner: One of a kind, 99A Airliner without wing center section tanks; this aircraft has been scrapped.
B99 Airliner: Improved version, 10,900 lb max takeoff weight, powered by two 680-hp (507-kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27/28 engines.
B99 Executive: Executive transport version of the B99 Airliner.
C99 Commuter: Improved version, 11,300 lb (5,100 kg) max takeoff weight, Pratt & Whitney PT6A-36 (engines flat rated at 715 hp)
Commercial
In July 2011 a total of 130 Beech 99 aircraft remained in civil service, all but two of them in North and South America. Major operators included Alpine Air Express (12 aircraft), Ameriflight (57), Bemidji Airlines (11), Freight Runners Express (10) and Wiggins Airways (10) with these aircraft primarily being operated in air freight operations. 21 other airlines and the National Police of Colombia operated smaller numbers of the type. Wiggins was acquired by Ameriflight and is the biggest operator of the type. In June 2015, Lake Clark Air was operating a Beech 99 from Port Alsworth, AK.
Former airline operators in the U.S. and Canada
A considerable number of commuter and regional airlines in the U.S. and Canada previously operated the Beechcraft Model 99 in scheduled passenger service. The following list of air carriers is taken from Official Airline Guide (OAG) flight schedules from 1974 to 1995:
Air Canada Connector (operated by Austin Airways) - Canada
Air East
Air Kentucky
Air Mikisew - Canada
Air North - Canada
Air Schefferville - Canada
Air South
Air Tindi - Canada
Air Vegas
Air Wisconsin
Aklak Air - Canada
Allegheny Commuter
Altair Airlines
American Eagle (operated by Wings West Airlines)
Austin Airways - Canada
Bar Harbor Airlines
Bearskin Airlines - Canada
Britt Airways
Business Express
Canadian Airlines Partner (operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines) - Canada
Other small commuter airlines in the U.S. and Canada operated the Beechcraft Model 99 as well. The aircraft has also been used in air cargo feeder operations transporting freight.
In addition, Texas International Airlines, which operated Douglas DC-9-10 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jetliners as well as Convair 600 turboprops, also flew several Beechcraft 99A aircraft during the early 1970s.
Specifications (Model 99A)
Data from Green
General characteristics
Crew: One
Capacity: Normally 15 passengers (8-seat 'Business Executive' model available)
Length: 44 ft 6¾ in (13.58 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 10½ in (13.98 m)
Height: 14 ft 4⅓ in (4.37 m)
Wing area: 279.7 ft² (25.99 m²)
Empty weight: 5,533 lb (varies depending upon equipment and configuration) (2,515 kg)
Loaded weight: <!10400 lb (99 and 99A) l 10900 lb (B99 and aircraft modified with Beech Kit 99-5014); 11300 lb (C99)> ()
Max. takeoff weight: 10,400, 10,900, or 11,300 lb – see above (4,727 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20, -27. or -36 turboprop Hartzell constant speed, feathering, and reversing, 550, 680, or 715 eshp depending upon model/mod status () each
Performance
Cruise speed: 205 knots (380 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
Range: 910 nm (1,048 mi, 1,686 km) at 216 mph (347 km/h) at 8,000 ft (2,440 m)