Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) has commenced deliveries of its recently certified Beechcraft King Air C90GTx – an upgraded and enhanced version of the world's most successful general aviation turbine aircraft. The first King Air C90GTx was recently delivered to Pedro Zeballos of Panama. The new King Air C90GTx, which debuts this week at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, features impressive enhancements to both payload and performance. Prior to EBACE, the company completed the first demonstration tour across the Eastern U.S. with the King Air C90GTx.

"With deliveries underway, we are pleased to showcase the aircraft during EBACE," said Sean McGeough, HBC president, Europe, Middle East and Africa region. "We expect high interest from our customers in what is one of the greenest and most efficient aircraft available. From EBACE, the aircraft will continue on to a number of locations throughout the Eastern Hemisphere to provide customers with an opportunity to see firsthand this exceptional aircraft."

Key enhancements to the new King Air C90GTx include an increase in maximum gross weight and the addition of composite winglets, which improve climb performance and further increase fuel efficiency. The maximum ramp weight and maximum takeoff weight of the C90GTx have been increased by 385 pounds to 10,545 and 10,485 pounds respectively. This increase in maximum weight provides the new C90GTx with a full-fuel payload capability of more than 750 pounds – almost double that of the C90GTi and ahead of any entry-level jet. The ability to carry more fuel with higher payloads increases the four passenger range by more than 200 nm.

The King Air 90 entered into service more than 45 years ago and is known for its reliability, durability and affordability. The aircraft series has long been the entry point into larger aircraft, serving as the first step into cabin-class comfort and twin-turbine capability, safety and performance. The C90GTx marks the eighth major King Air upgrade the company has introduced since 2003.

Before its latest enhancements, the C90GTi series aircraft already included an advanced, fully-integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ avionics suite, which features advanced capabilities not found in other, entry-level turbine avionics systems. This same system can be found in larger aircraft, including the King Air B200GT, King Air 350i, Premier IA, Hawker 750 and Hawker 900XP, as well as in jets costing millions more. The C90GTx will include upgraded, turbulence-detecting Doppler weather radar and WAAS GPS as standard equipment.

The durable King Air C90GTx is extremely adaptable. It is capable of operating from remote, unimproved fields as easily as it flows into congested terminal airspace, providing operators with the versatility to utilize airports inaccessible to most jets. The fuel efficiency of the C90GTx contributes to its low operating costs while providing increased performance and greater system redundancy than single-engine turbine competitors.

The C90GTx features a cabin 50 percent larger than many very light jets. In addition to the pilot, it seats up to seven passengers in its famed squared-oval design, allowing greater passenger comfort. It includes an in-flight accessible, heated and pressurized baggage storage area along with a private aft lavatory that is standard on every King Air C90GTx.