With market trends favoring larger 50- to 90-seat regional jets, Raytheon ended production of the Beechcraft 1900 in October 2002. A total of 695 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft were built, making the airliner the best-selling 19-passenger airliner in history. The 1900 entered service in February 1984, with the first ExecLiner corporate version delivered in 1985. Like the 1900, the 1900C was certified under SFAR 41C, but the later 1900D version was certified to FAR Part 23 'Commuter Category' standards. The 1900 first flew on September 3, 1982, with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification awarded on Novemunder Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 41C airworthiness standards. Beechcraft developed the 1900 directly from the Super King Air, in order to provide a pressurized commuterliner to compete with the Swearingen Metro and the British Aerospace Jetstream. A stretched version of the King Air was later developed and designated the Model 200 Super King Air. This aircraft was, in turn, further modified by adding turboprop engines and cabin pressurization, and named the Model 90 King Air. A larger passenger cabin was added to the Twin Bonanza's airframe, and called the Model 65 Queen Air.

The Beechcraft 1900's design lineage began in 1949 with the Beechcraft Model 50 Twin Bonanza, a 5-passenger, reciprocating engine utility aircraft designed for the U.S. The 1900 is Beechcraft's third regional airliner after the Beechcraft Model 18 and Beechcraft Model 99 Airliner. In terms of the number of aircraft built and its continued use by many passenger airlines and other users, it is one of the most popular 19-passenger airliners in history. It is capable of flying in excess of 600 miles (970 km), although few operators use its full-fuel range. The aircraft was designed to carry passengers in all weather conditions from airports with relatively short runways.

Regional airliner, cargo, and corporate aircraft

With customers favoring larger regional jets, Raytheon ended production in October 2002. It is also used as a freight aircraft and corporate transport, and by several governmental and military organisations. It was designed, and is primarily used, as a regional airliner. The Beechcraft 1900 is a 19-passenger, pressurized twin-engine turboprop fixed-wing aircraft that was manufactured by Beechcraft.

Beech 1900 pilot training manual