Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the latest derivative of its Beechcraft King Air line, the King Air 250. Developed from inputs received from more than 3,000 customers worldwide, the King Air 250 utilizes new composite technology, lighter weight construction, and engine induction modifications to produce enhanced performance and greater versatility.

"The King Air 250 is a prime example of Hawker Beechcraft's product forward strategy of taking a market-leading aircraft and making it even better," said Shawn Vick, HBC executive vice president. "The fact that we have been able to continually adapt this airplane's roles and applications, and that it continues to be in high demand around the world, is a tribute to the quality of its design and unmatched service record."

Most obvious among the King Air 250's new features are its BLR Aerospace composite winglets which improve efficiency in all phases of flight. The aircraft also has composite propellers that provide new aerodynamic technology and lighter weight, as well as engine induction modifications contribute to its increased performance.

As a result of these features, the King Air 250 has its best takeoff performance ever. At max gross takeoff weight, the takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is only 2,111 feet from sea level airports, 400 feet shorter than the B200GT. The new hot/high takeoff performance is even more exceptional. At max gross takeoff weight, from a 5,000 foot elevation airport at 25°C, the takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is 3,094 feet, which is approximately 700 feet better than its predecessor. HBC designed the King Air 250 to achieve its enhanced field performance without any significant tradeoffs. In fact, the King Air 250 also offers slight increases in high speed cruise, climb performance and range over its predecessor. The shorter runway capability adds access to more than 1,100 airports previously unavailable to King Air 200 operators and provides additional safety margin and operational flexibility on longer fields.