Gusto
The 200 has to be one of the better machines for African operations. It is extremely versatile in that it has the range to cross a country the size of D.R.C. without refuelling and can then tackle a 1000m strip with ease. One just has to look at it's success story for Raytheon/Beechcraft. You don't sell that many machines easily.
I would imagine that they are profit makers for the owners judging by large numbers of them flying for the various UN organisations. From a pilots perspective, I have been flying one for over a year in Central Africa with few problems and rate it as one of the best machines about in its class. Its a pleasure to fly and is responsive to input which is often needed here. The locals seem to think that runways and airstrips make good grazing grounds for livestock and even better markets, making go arounds par for the course. The only other aircraft that rivals it for bush operations is the Caravan, if only they could extend the range. Having said all of the above, there are plenty of Russian machines about plying their trade and they also seem to be doing well.
