World Flyers

The Aircraft - "Beech Queen Air"

After months of analyzing several aircraft and staying within our budget, we have made the final decision on which aircraft we will be using on the around the world flight.

The Beechcraft - Queen Air was selected due to the fact that it can carry the fuel we need, has de-icing, has been upgraded with the Excalibur modifications, is a classic former US Army transport aircraft and is easy to fly. We will still have to do some modification to it over the next several months to prepare it for this historic flight. 

The Beechcraft Queen Air "Excalibur"

This is a modification performed in the aftermarket by supplemental type certificates (STCs) to the Beech Queen Air 65. It resolves the biggest issue of the Queen Air design, the engines. This is accomplished by replacing the rather cantankerous 6-cylinder Lycoming IGSO-480's and the Lycoming IGSO-540's, with the far more robust 8-cylinder Lycoming IO-720. This presents the major advantage of not having any gearbox or superchargers to cause maintenance and reliability problems. The other advantages gained are the overall increase in power to 400 hp (300 kW) per engine as well as a gross weight increase in most models. The gross weights are increased to 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) in all the short wing aircraft (65, A65, 80), 8,200 lb (3,700 kg) in the 70, and 8800 in the other long wing aircraft (A80, B80, 88). The Excalibur Queen Air can be recognized by the noticeably smaller engine cowlings and lower set engines. 

Data from Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77

General characteristics
Crew: 1-2
Capacity: 9 passengers
Length: 35 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 48 ft 10 in
Height: 14 ft 2½ in
Wing area: 293.9 ft²
Empty weight: 5,400 lb
Max takeoff weight: 8,000 lb
Powerplant: 2× Lycoming IO-720's, air-cooled flat-8, 400 hp each
 

Performance (before modifications with Quadnickel Racing mods)
Maximum speed: 215 knots (400 km/h, 248 mph) at 11,500 ft (3,500 m)
Cruise speed: 159 knots (294 km/h, 183 mph) Econ cruise, 45% power at 15,000 ft (4,570 m)
Range: 1,317 nmi (2,441 km, 1,517 mi) 45% power at 15,000 ft (4,570 m), 45 min reserves
Service ceiling: 26,800 ft (8,170 m)
Rate of climb: 1,275 ft/min (6.5 m/s)

 Modifications