Beechcraft King Air 350 vs Beechcraft King Air 90

The King Air C90 and the King Air 350 bracket sixty years of Beechcraft turboprop evolution — same DNA, profoundly different aircraft. The C90 series (the most common variant of the 90 family, produced from 1971 onward in progressive upgrades through the C90GTx) established the King Air formula: PT6A turboprops, pressurized cabin, Beechcraft build quality, and the rugged utility that made this aircraft the default choice for regional operators, corporate flight departments, and owner-pilots who needed to move four to six people in pressurized turboprop comfort. The King Air 350 (introduced in 1990 as the Super King Air 350) is the King Air line fully realized: a stretched fuselage, winglets, PT6A-60A engines producing meaningfully more power than the 90 series, and a cabin that approaches regional airliner dimensions. Both wear the King Air name; the cross-shop occurs when a buyer asks where on the King Air spectrum their mission actually belongs.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Beechcraft King Air 350
For sale now
72
Median asking
$3,197,500
Range
$1,952,250–$5,237,500
Model years available
1990–2019
Beechcraft King Air 90
For sale now
116
Median asking
$1,172,500
Range
$413,000–$3,117,025
Model years available
1965–2014

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Beechcraft King Air 350 Beechcraft King Air 90
Beechcraft King Air 350
View 50 listings →
Median $3,197,500
 Beechcraft King Air 90
View 7 listings →
Median $1,172,500
Price Range $1,952,250 – $5,237,500 $413,000 – $3,117,025
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Multi Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats 11 10
Horsepower — 550 HP
Cruise Speed 295 kts (546 km/h) 215 kts (398 km/h)
Range 1,806 nm (3,345 km) 1,060 nm (1,963 km)
Service Ceiling 35,000 ft (10,668 m) 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Max Gross Weight 15,000 lbs (6,804 kg) —
Useful Load 5,400 lbs (2,449 kg) 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg)
Fuel Capacity 544.0 gal (2059 L) —
Fuel Burn 120.0 GPH (454 L/h) 65.0 GPH (246 L/h)
TBO 3,600 hrs 3,600 hrs
Overhaul Cost $450,000 —
Annual Fixed $220,000 —
Hourly Variable $1,100 —
Engines 2 x Turboprop 2 x Turboprop

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Beechcraft King Air 350

Fuel$660/hr
Variable$1,100/hr
Annual Fixed$220,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $440,000/yr

Beechcraft King Air 90

Fuel$358/hr

Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft King Air 350 or Beechcraft King Air 90?

Bottom line: Choose the King Air C90 for lower acquisition cost, lower operating expense, and an accessible single-pilot-appropriate platform for missions that don't demand the 350's range and capacity. The C90's PT6A-21 or PT6A-135A engines (depending on variant) burn less fuel per hour than the 350's PT6A-60As, and a well-maintained C90B or C90GT is the most accessible entry point to King Air ownership. Choose the King Air 350 when the mission requires the cabin — eight to eleven seats versus the C90's four to six, a flat floor, stand-up headroom for typical adult heights, and the range and climb performance to complete demanding IFR missions above weather with meaningful fuel reserves. Safety axis: the King Air 350 is approved for single-pilot operation in specific avionics configurations, but the step from C90 to 350 involves substantially more complex systems, higher fuel burns, and a weight category that changes the energy management discipline. A pilot transitioning from a C90 to a 350 benefits from formal King Air 350 type training, not just a checkout — the PT6A is forgiving, but the 350's speed and weight demand current proficiency.

Pick the King Air 350 if…

  • More seats — 11 vs 10.
  • Faster cruise — 295 kts vs 215 kts.
  • Longer range — 1806 nm vs 1060 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1990 vs 1966.
  • More inventory — 50 listings vs 7.

Pick the King Air 90 if…

  • Budget matters — from $413,000 vs $1,952,250, you save ~$1,539,250.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different variants in the King Air 90 family?
The King Air 90 designation covers several decades of Beechcraft evolution. The original 90 (1964) established the platform. The C90 (1971) is the most common used-market variant, using PT6A-21 engines. The E90 (1972) used PT6A-28 engines with more power. The F90 (1979) introduced a T-tail configuration with PT6A-135 engines. Progressive C90 variants — C90A, C90B, C90GT, C90GTi, C90GTx — span from 1981 through approximately 2015 with engine and avionics upgrades along the way. Buyers should evaluate the specific variant's logbooks and avionics rather than treating all 90s as equivalent; the C90B and C90GT are generally considered the most capable and well-supported.
What is the approximate operating cost difference between a C90 and a King Air 350?
The C90 series is meaningfully less expensive to operate per hour. PT6A-21 or PT6A-135A engines burn approximately 35–45 gph per side at cruise; the 350's PT6A-60As burn approximately 50–65 gph per side. Total variable cost for a C90 typically runs $600–900 per flight hour; the 350's total cost including engine reserves and maintenance often runs $1,200–1,600 per hour or more depending on configuration. At lower annual utilization (under 150–200 hours), the C90's economics are substantially more favorable.
Does the King Air 350 require a type rating?
Yes. The King Air 350 (and the King Air 200/300 series) requires a type rating as a multi-engine turboprop above 12,500 pounds MTOW — the 350's MTOW is approximately 15,000 pounds. The C90 series also requires a multi-engine turboprop type rating. FlightSafety International and Textron Aviation training centers offer King Air 350 type rating programs; prospective buyers should include training cost and recurrency commitment in acquisition planning. Both types have strong, well-established training infrastructure.
Which is better, Beechcraft King Air 350 or Beechcraft King Air 90?
It depends on your mission and budget. The King Air 350 cruises at 295 kts with 1,806 nm range. The King Air 90 cruises at 215 kts with 1,060 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft King Air 350 and Beechcraft King Air 90?
King Air 90 engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6 (550 hp). Seats: 11 vs 10. Cruise: 295 vs 215 kts. Range: 1806 vs 1060 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
King Air 350: about $1100/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
King Air 350: 11 seats / 5,400 lb useful load. King Air 90: 10 seats / 2,700 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
King Air 350: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$450,000. King Air 90: 3,600-hour TBO. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data