12-occupant twin-engine piston aircraft · Twin-engine piston aircraft · production 1966–1978 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Beechcraft Queen Air B80 costs approximately $74k (€68k) to $88k (€81k) to buy at 1970 market values, and about $202k (€187k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $2,530 (€2,343) per flight hour all-in. It seats 12, cruises at 191 kt (220 mph) and has a published range of 600 nm (1,111 km), needing about 2,297 ft (700 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The Queen Air is the aeroplane the King Air was built from: the same cabin and wing, seating up to a dozen, but with piston power instead of PT6s, and in the 1960s it was how a company bought a cabin-class twin before turbines were affordable. The airframe itself is sound and roomy. The engines are why so few still fly. Geared, supercharged Lycoming IGSO-540s are complex, thirsty and expensive to overhaul, many airframes were long ago converted to turbines precisely to escape them, and the ones left face a very thin parts and expertise pool. Buy it only with a specific operator's business case and a shop that has kept one running.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 3,992 kg |
|---|---|
| Baggage weight | 159 kg |
| Engine | 2 x Lycoming IGSO-540-A1A or -A1D, 380 hp each for takeoff |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 12 |
| Reported payload proxy | 2,183 lb (990 kg) |
| Reported range | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | Not used for mission ranking |
| Cruise speed | 191 kt (220 mph) |
| Runway need | ~2,297 ft (700 m) |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $38k (€35k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $691 (€640) |
The Queen Air B80 combines 12-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 600 NM reported range and about 191 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Indicative cash costs at 1970 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $175k (€162k) | $4,369 (€4,045) | $954k (€883k) |
| 80 h / year | $202k (€187k) | $2,530 (€2,343) | $1.09m (€1.01m) |
| 120 h / year | $230k (€213k) | $1,917 (€1,775) | $1.23m (€1.14m) |
| 180 h / year | $272k (€251k) | $1,508 (€1,397) | $1.44m (€1.33m) |
Every figure above is built from a $38k (€35k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $691 (€640) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $105k (€97k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Beechcraft Queen Air B80 cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
On top of a pilot certificate, this aircraft obliges the person flying it to hold the following. Each one is time and money before the first trip, and insurers usually attach their own minimums on top.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1970 market price for a Beechcraft Queen Air B80 is $74k (€68k) to $88k (€81k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Beechcraft Queen Air B80 works out at roughly $202k (€187k) annually, which is about $2,530 (€2,343) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $691 (€640).
Reported range is 600 nm (1,111 km). PlaneFit does not yet use this figure for mission ranking on this model.
Beyond a pilot certificate, a Beechcraft Queen Air B80 requires multi-engine rating and complex airplane endorsement. An airplane multi-engine land class rating. Insurers add their own minimum: multi-engine time, time in this make and model, and often a checkout with a named instructor before you fly it solo. These are US requirements and are stated for orientation; confirm them against the current regulation and an instructor.
Plan on approximately 2,297 ft (700 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.