Textron Aviation has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for both the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER and the King Air 260.

“EASA certification begins a whole new era for the Beechcraft King Air in Europe,” says Tom Perry, vice president of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The King Air has been the turboprop of choice throughout this region for more than five decades, and the new 260 and 360 will build on that legendary reputation. We have incorporated innovative and next generation technologies that enhance the flying experience for an already proven aircraft.”

The 360/360ER and 260 models both feature the addition of the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense autothrottle. The autothrottle supports pilots by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent and go-around phases of flight.

An addition to the cockpit of the 360/360ER is a digital pressurisation controller, which automatically schedules cabin pressurisation during both climb and descent, reducing pilot workload and increasing overall passenger comfort. The aircraft also has a lower cabin altitude at the aircraft's certified ceiling of 35,000 feet.

The 260 features the Collins Multi-Scan RTA-4112 weather radar, providing pilots with an automatic system that is optimised to detect short, mid and long-range weather.

A King Air 360 has an approximate flight range of 3,345km, meaning it has enough range to complete flights such as London to Athens or Frankfurt to Moscow without stopping for fuel. The King Air 260 has an approximate range of 3,185km, allowing flights such as Rome to Madrid or Paris to Stockholm direct.

King Air turboprops have been a popular choice across Europe with more than 460 aircraft throughout the region. Nearly half of all King Airs in Europe are owned and operated in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The new King Air turboprops were introduced in 2020, with the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER achieving U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in October 2020 and the King Air 260 in March 2021.