Page 11 - March 25

the only King Air market that has slowed down in
the past year, mainly due to the fear that King Air
350s operated by Wheels Up are hitting the market
and will eventually drive prices down. If you’re a
buyer, it is the only King Air market that seems
promising right now, but that is subject to change
quickly. We anticipate the new U.S. administration
will reinstate 100% bonus depreciation, creating
another buying frenzy, driving inventory down
and prices back up.
New King Airs
We’ve recently helped clients purchase a
factory-new King Air 260 and King Air 360
and even order a Beechcraft Denali, Textron
Aviation’s single-engine turboprop expected to
earn FAA certification this year. The market
for new King Airs is red-hot with prices for
“new flips” that are high enough to require
supplemental oxygen.
This is based on high demand and relatively
low production numbers that have plagued all
manufacturers since the pandemic. The bad
news is availability is only going to get worse. The
King Air is not only popular with owner pilots,
businesses and charter operators, it’s also very
popular with our military, and they have placed
orders (see box on this page) that will consume
a good portion of new King Air production.
What does this all mean?
In summary, if you own a King Air, you’ve
likely made a very good investment. If you don’t
own one yet but wish to, you have two options:
Dig deep to find one or consider an alternative.
Want to order a new King Air? You should
place your order as soon as possible. Or call me
and we’ll talk about the Denali; its streamlined
design and ease of manufacture may make it the
Beechcraft that you can actually get.
Did I just commit blasphemy? It is a Beechcraft
– not a Cessna as originally planned – but it’s
not a King Air … or is it?
Stay tuned for more. There’s an article in the
works for King Air magazine that will compare
the Denali with the King Air. Will King Air
loyalists accept it? We’ll all find out together.
Until then, happy buying and happy flying! KA
Military orders
Among the recent Textron Aviation order announcements for King
Air variants:
Jan. 27, 2025 – the first international sale of seven King Air 260
military multi-engine training aircraft. SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace
selected the King Air 260 in support of the Future Aircrew Training
program to train pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Nov. 19, 2024 – the first of two multi-mission King Air 360CHW
aircraft (cargo door equipped and fitted for heavy weight operation)
have been delivered to the Peruvian Air Force. Delivery of a second
aeromedical evacuation-equipped King Air 360CHW is expected
in 2025.
April 22, 2024 – delivery announced for the first two of up to
64 King Air 260 aircraft for Naval Air Systems Command’s Multi-
Engine Training System (METS). The aircraft, which will be known
as the T-54A, replace the Chief of Naval Air Training fleet of T-44C
Pegasus aircraft at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
Chip McClure has been in the aviation industry for more than
20 years. He and his wife, Amy, founded Jet Acquisitions in
2015. The firm exclusively represents turbine aircraft buyers
and specializes in King Airs, as well as all models of current
production turboprops and jets.
Beechcraft King Air 260 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) T-54A
for the U.S. Navy.
MARCH 2025 KING AIR MAGAZINE •
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