Beechcraft Corporation will focus its display at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) April 16-18 in Shanghai, China, on its line of business turboprops - a segment where it continues to see increasing interest, deliveries and market share throughout the Asia Pacific region. In its first major international show as the newly restructured Beechcraft Corporation, the company will showcase a Beechcraft King Air 350ER, King Air B200GT and King Air C90GTx at its static display.

Analysis of recent JetNet industry data shows Beechcraft has a 64 percent market share in the business turboprop segment. Of a total 660 business turboprops in the Asia Pacific region, 421 aircraft are Beechcraft products. Further, King Air deliveries to Asia increased by 41 percent in the five years 2007-2011 compared to the previous five years 2002-2006.

"We have been an active part of this dynamic market for many decades and in terms of long-term growth, it is no surprise that Asia-Pacific represents one of the most exciting markets for us," said Richard Emery, Beechcraft's president of sales for the Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. "We're seeing increased sales activity for our piston and turboprop aircraft in China and the broader region, so there clearly is a developing appetite for shorter range, smaller aircraft and we are aiming to further enhance our leadership position in this market."

The following aircraft will be on display at Beechcraft's static exhibit on the ramp at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Center:

Multi-Mission Beechcraft King Air 350ER - The King Air 350ER demonstrator aircraft is a standard extended-range (ER) airplane, which includes additional fuel capacity and increased capability landing gear allowing for 2,500 nautical mile range and take-off weight of 16,500 lbs. The aircraft's unique interior configuration highlights the versatility and utility of the King Air family of aircraft with a fully functioning medical station complete with medical oxygen, vacuum and pressure, a medical cabinet and a side facing three-place couch for the doctor/medical attendants. Additionally, the large cabin provides ample room for the installed airline style seating showcasing standard King Air chairs in a commuter airline mission.

King Air B200GT - Building on a reputation of proven performance, the next-generation Beechcraft King Air B200GT features composite winglets and lightweight composite propellers, delivering improved runway performance, range, speed and enhanced climb. Passengers travel in quintessential King Air comfort, easily moving about in the spacious square-oval cabin over long-distance journeys. The King Air B200GT further defines mission reliability with a ram air recovery system that maintains peak performance when the anti-icing system is activated, resulting in a high-performance, all-weather aircraft.

King Air C90GTx - Key enhancements to the King Air C90GTx include an increase in gross weight and the addition of composite winglets, which improve climb performance and further increase fuel efficiency. Featuring a cabin 50 percent larger than some very light jets, the C90GTx 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 as standard. The C90GTx on display at the show is one of two King Air C90GTx aircraft purchased last year and operated by the Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) for advanced airline pilot training.

Contributed by Beechcraft Corporation