A family vacation to Cabo San Lucas. An afternoon business meeting in Tulsa. A quick visit to check out an interesting property in Taos. A weekend hunting trip to a remote West Texas ranch. What do these excursions have in common? They are all simple flights of only a few hours in the comfortable and capable twin–engine King Air 200. And the Tulsa or Taos trips can have you there and back the same day, eliminating overnight stays and making the most of your valuable time.
One of the most popular cabin–class aircraft in the world, the King Air 200’s exceptional versatility makes it a natural fit for the widespread Texas landscape. If you’re like me, perhaps your most memorable image of the King Air is the badly mauled aircraft from Jurassic Park 3. While it was well–suited to landing on short, unimproved runways in remote locations, taking off over a huge carnivorous lizard was a bit too much for even this sturdy aircraft to handle.
In more hospitable surroundings, this 8–passenger twin–turbine powered aircraft is an ideal balance of passenger and cargo capacity, cruising range and affordable comfort. The King Air’s efficient turbine–powered propellers and pressurized cabin allow it to cruise easily at 33,000 feet, taking it above most inclement weather and providing a quiet, relaxed ride. A range of well over 1,000 miles will easily take you and your companions nonstop to virtually any location from Sedona, AZ to Ft. Lauderdale, FL – or practically anywhere in Mexico – in under 4 hours. With a generous baggage capacity of half a ton, you’ll have no trouble taking all your gear with you. And on longer trips, the aft lavatory is a welcome amenity.
Ranches, hunting lodges and wide–open spaces make up much of the appeal of Texas, but they can be a challenge for air travelers using business jets. The King Air’s adaptability to the short takeoff and landing requirements of remote, unpaved runways opens up a broad canvas of possible destinations, without compromising cabin comfort or carrying capacity. With a cabin larger than many virtually identical in size to Cessna Citation class light business jets, your party’s stretching out in comfort is a given assured. The plush and functional interior accommodates up to 8 passengers and their gear in supple leather seating, ample cargo space and includes air conditioning, a built–in refreshment center and an aft lavatory.
Unlike a typical business jet, however, the efficiency of the King Air can save as much as 35% or more in operating costs, making it a very popular aircraft for charter operations. In fact, FAA Part 135 charter use can be a lucrative revenue generator for the owner –providing a way to offset much of the expense of ownership while still allowing easy air travel on your schedule. The key to making maximum use of such an aircraft is the expertise of an experienced aircraft management firm like FlighTime Business Jets. Whether you choose a shared ownership arrangement or 100% ownership, they will handle flight crew and aircraft scheduling, required maintenance, charter management marketing, concierge services and much more, leaving you with nothing to do but pack your bags and enjoy the ride.
When it comes to air travel, there are more options available than ever before. From fractional ownership to on–demand services, only you can decide how much your time – and your security, patience, comfort and dignity – are worth. To explore the many benefits of private air travel in more detail, contact San Antonio–based FLIGHTIME Business Jets at 210–930–3613, or visit their website at www.flightime.com.
