Beechcraft Queen Air

The Beechcraft Queen Air is a twin-engined light aircraft that Beechcraft produced in numerous versions from 1960 to 1978. It was based on the Twin Bonanza, sharing key components such as wings, engines and tail surfaces, but with a larger fuselage, and it served as the basis for the highly successful King Air series of turboprop aircraft. The first model, the Beech 65, is a nine-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, initially powered by two 340 hp Lycoming IGSO-480 piston engines. The prototype first flew on 28 August 1958 and the type certificate followed on 4 February 1959. The United States Army ordered 68 early in development as the L-23F. Its main uses have been as a private aircraft, a utility aircraft and a small commuter airliner.