So they are marketing it as a single pilot, knowing that most people will buy the STC if needed? I kinda see the point. It just seems rather disingenuous to me. Seems like a huge risk to take if you get caught flying one of these in a corporate role while overweight. An accident would open the floodgates to litigation. That would be a field day for a personal injury attorney.

Douglas, I am sure the reason it is not listed as having a higher useful is because of the 12,500# cert regulation. You can get the STC to operate at 14,000# but will need to get the type rating. The structure is there to operate at the higher weight.

In comparison, the C441 is a Cessna Titan 404 with turboprop engines and associated systems. Likely why several crashed early on until Cessna figured out that they had not reinforced the tail enough. The 250 also has a 6" taller cabin than the C441.

The C441's piston heritage certainly has a key role in its low weight and its low weight is a big part of its amazing efficiency.

Anyone really interested in the history of the twin Cessna line should buy the book "Wings for the World III". Every 400 series Cessna twin is in the book with details about how they were developed.

Thanks Erwin, I will find that. I am fascinated by the heritage behind all of these birds. I agree that the 250 is a totally different bird, designed from the start for the turbine. And I misspoke earlier when I said single pilot on the STC. I meant type rating. This whole useful load thing is just a real sore subject. Pilatus got it right, so I cant understand why so many others are so behind the curve.

All King Airs are piston heritage.

Apparently, for the 250, it was from the chubby side of the family, though.

The 12,500 lbs limit is not what reduces useful load, it is the ~8,830 lbs empty weight. By comparison, the 441 is 6400 lbs empty typically. An extra 2,400 lbs to haul around. Where did they put it all?

Mike C.

Or where did they take it from?

" Il semble que la perfection soit atteinte non quand il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais quand il n'y a plus rien à retrancher."

"Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away"

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Uh, no. It evolved from the Queen Air.