Raytheon Aircraft has received US certification for a commuter category heavyweight Beechcraft King Air 350. The company unveiled the latest version of the 350 at the Paris air show in June. This incorporates heavyweight landing gear and other airframe modifications, giving it a 10% increase in maximum gross take-off weight to 16,500lb (7,500kg). 

King Air

"This certification is a significant milestone," says John Brauneis, vice-president of contracts and special mission aircraft.  "Our next step is to complete the development and certification of the nacelle fuel tanks, which will yield a 350ER. Certification of a commercial 350ER is expected at the end of the second quarter 2006, with certification of a missionised version shortly afterwards. This date is less certain because of ongoing discussions with customers regarding their specific configuration of the mission equipment."

A non-missionised 350ER has a 2005 list price of $6.4 million and can fly out 100nm (185km), perform a low-altitude surveillance mission for up to 8h, fly back 100nm, and land with 45min of fuel on board. 

Beechcraft has received several demonstration requests, primarily surveillance-related, with interest largely coming from Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific Rim and the USA.

Source: Flight Daily News