What Is The Civilian Equivalent Of The Beechcraft C-12 Huron?

The Beechcraft C-12 Huron has been the backbone of the U.S. Army fixed-wing fleet for nearly five decades now. It has evolved steadily over those years, seeing continuous increases in performance and improved avionics. The C-12 Huron has one primary mission (although it performs several other sub-missions), which is executive leadership transportation. It is also used for high-priority passengers, light palletized cargo movements (depending on the C-12 model), and even prisoner transport. The thing about the Huron is that it is a commercial off-the-shelf aircraft, meaning it is bought in the civilian format without any military-specific hardware. It is identical to a civilian Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft. Let’s learn a little more about the similarities and why it has been so successful for so many years. 

More About the Beechcraft C-12 Huron

The C-12 Huron is closing in on five decades of continuous service. It was picked up and implemented in the Army fixed-wing fleet in the early 1970s, as the Vietnam War was winding down. The Army had already employed the unpressurized King Air 90-series as the U-21 Ute, which was significantly smaller, had lower performance, and less range. As they were known, the pressurized Super King Airs provided some necessary improvements for executive transport, namely higher altitudes and faster cruise.

The Huron has gone on to serve four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (all but the Coasties), and serves in many other militaries globally. 

While it is not the fastest aircraft in the fleet (the UC-35 cruises much higher and faster), the C-12 still does things that other aircraft cannot replicate.

  • Unlike the C-26 Metroliner, the C-12 can operate on soft fields and less improved airports.
  • Many C-12 are fitted with roller kits and cargo doors, so they can quickly convert to cargo duty. 
  • Hurons only need a little over two thousand feet of runway, which allows them to operate out of most public airports in the U.S.

The Super King Air 200 has also served admirably as the backbone of the Army aerial ISR fleet for four decades as the RC-12 Guardrail aircraft. 

Beechcraft C-12 Short Specifications

The C-12 is not the most impressive airplane in the world, but it has proven to be one of the most durable, consistent, and efficient. Let’s take a look at the specifications that make the Huron so reliable and the go-to aircraft for DV transport in the Army. Again, the performance of the King Air 200 is not superior to other aircraft in the DoD inventory, but it has a versatility that cannot be matched. Nothing else can do so many missions, operating out of such short fields with so few services required.

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Design & Features

The C-12 is utilitarian and does what it was designed to do exceptionally well. Nothing else in the inventory can match its staying power, and the demand for the Huron is as high as ever. One of the key features of the C-12, as opposed to other fixed-wing assets, is its ability to rapidly transition from a VIP passenger hauler to a cargo airplane. But it can also be quickly transitioned to providing ambulatory care, which the large cargo door makes far easier than other aircraft. It is truly a jack-of-all-trades airplane. One of the most overlooked features of the Huron, and the King Air 200 in general, is the robust landing gear. Unlike the other twin-engine turboprop in the Army’s inventory, the Swearingen C-26 Metroliner, the Huron has large tires mated up to strong landing gears. The fleet's only aircraft can operate out of a soft field, a dirt strip, or overall rough pavement. The Metroliner is intended only for smooth, prepared surfaces, as are the jets in the fleet. Even though its range isn’t great, it is the only aircraft that you can plug and play into about any CONUS location and mission and know will work out. 

C-12 Huron Variants

Since it has been in continuous use for 49 years, the Huron has undergone many changes over the decades. The incredible thing about it is that the basic airframe remains essentially unchanged. Most active inventory models are now equipped with four-blade propellers (although not all). But from the outside, you can scarcely tell the difference between a C-12A and a C-12U. The original version, the Alpha model, was based on the King Air A200 or the original Super King Air. It was equipped with PT6A-38 engines, each producing 750 shp. Since the Alpha, of which sixty were delivered to the Army, all Alphas were upgraded to PT6A-41 or -42 engines, which added 100 shp per side. This was the Charlie model upgrade, and that powertrain upgrade remains the standard. The remaining modifications since have been avionics upgrades or other lesser upgrades like the propeller upgrades.   

About The Beechcraft Super King Air 200

The Beechcraft Super King Air 200 is the civilian equivalent of the C-12 Huron, although it should probably be stated in the reverse. The King Air is the most popular turboprop aircraft, with nearly 7,500 made in seventeen models. The Super King Air was the first major evolution of the brand, and the 200 model continues to sell well.

The high T-tail is the most noticeable external difference between the 90-series and then the Super King Air. Also, the fuselage of the Super King Air is stretched to accommodate more seating, so the overall length is about seven feet longer than an average 90-series aircraft. It accommodates up to ten passengers, making it an ideal platform for a business party or private charter. Also, the Super King Air 200 series has been a highly popular aircraft for flying ambulance duties. 

Short Specifications

Performance Summary

The Super King Air 200 is not the highest-performing aircraft in private business-class aviation, but it trades that off for fuel efficiency and versatility. Very few other business aircraft can travel to as many places, land at as many airports, and do so as efficiently as the Super King Air 200. With the first models hitting the market in 1974, you would need help finding a business aircraft that has also held up. The twin PT6A-41/42 engines provide excellent power for the aircraft, allowing it to cruise at FL250 easily, yet it can take off in a scant 2,000 feet of runway. It can also accommodate cargo or ambulance litter and convert between missions quickly and easily. 

Final Thoughts

The C-12 Huron has served the U.S. Armed Forces well for nearly fifty years and shows no signs of stopping. However, the military fleet pales compared to the amount of civilian Super King Air 200s in the world. With over 7,500 King Airs in the air, it is the most popular turboprop ever, and it’s not all that close.

The Super King Air 200 does things that no other twin can quite do. It carries more, lands shorter, and uses less fuel. It is the ideal short-distance or short-field business aircraft. Flying the Super King Air allows you to land at just about any public airport, substantially reducing on-ground commuting since you can usually get much closer to the meeting site. When you are in the market for parts to support your Super King Air fleet, you can trust Greenwood Aerospace for all of your parts procurement needs. Give us a call, or start a quote to get going!