Horizon "Beating Preliminary Performance Estimates"

You know the old saying about how "it ain't bragging, if it's true?" Well, it seems that Raytheon has a lot of good news to impart with their revelations concerning how well the Hawker Horizon is doing in meeting AND beating its performance numbers.

The 700 hour test program has completed 50 percent of flight tests, using three test aircraft. All developmental testing throughout the normal airspeed/altitude flight envelope has been completed, and structures, avionics, software and electrical systems are frozen for production.

"The Hawker Horizon is proving its design in flight test and exceeding estimates in critical areas," said David Riemer, Vice President - Product Development and Engineering. "Aerodynamically, this is a very 'clean' aircraft - the wing design, propulsion system and composite fuselage are validating all of our design choices."

Raytheon tells ANN that the super mid-size  Hawker Horizon business jet is exceeding estimates in the following areas:

• Range: The estimate for six passengers at high-speed cruise of 0.82 mach is 3,100 nautical miles. Current testing shows the aircraft will fly 3,147 nautical miles under these parameters.
• Take-off field length: The Horizon's stall characteristics, which affect take-off field length, are about four knots less than originally predicted. The guarantee is 5,250 feet; but based on testing to date, the current estimate is less than 4,900 feet.
• Climb performance. The Horizon is providing better-than-expected performance with an anticipated climb from sea level to 37,000 feet in just over 13 minutes - as opposed to 15 minutes originally estimated.

"The more we test this aircraft, the more confident we become," said Riemer. "We're looking forward to first deliveries next year."

In other tests, the Hawker Horizon successfully completed:

• Proving flight of its advertised trans-Atlantic (3,400nm) range capability. In June, the Horizon departed Beech Field in Wichita and flew to Los Angeles, north to Seattle, and returned to Wichita after 7.6 hours. En route to Los Angeles, the super mid-sized business jet was cleared to 45,000 feet, where it flew most of the remaining legs. Average speed was 0.77 mach - slightly faster than the Horizon's 0.75 mach long-range cruise speed -- while the crew conducted tests of the fuel system, autopilot, weather radar and navigational equipment.
• Critical dive tests to Mach 0.91, which is 15 percent above the Horizon's top speed of Mach 0.84. The high-speed tests are designed to demonstrate that the aircraft is fully controllable and flutter free at a speed that significantly exceeds its normal operations limit.
• Icing flights behind a tanker, demonstrating correct operation of the wings and windshield. The tail was completed earlier in wind-tunnel tests. Final tests will be done in natural icing conditions, and the aircraft will deliver will all icing certifications.
• Laboratory burn tests which confirmed the engine pylon and beam for survivability under a 2000-degree (F) flame for 15 minutes in the engine compartment.
• The first interior fitting, which revealed a precise fit inside the composite fuselage that will reduce the amount of time required for installation.

Brad Hatt, President and General Manager of the Hawker Division noted that, "Flight tests are proving its exceptional performance, and the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics will offer the most integrated flight control package of any super mid-size business jet."

The Horizon fuselage is constructed of advanced composite technology. Built in three sections, the Horizon fuselage features a 72-inch stand-up cabin and 77.5-inch width. A flat floor runs the entire length of the aircraft, leading to a large baggage area. The baggage compartment is accessible on the ground through an exterior door or during flight through the cabin. The Hawker Horizon will be delivered with a comprehensive customer support package and will be served by Raytheon Aircraft's global network of company-owned and independent service centers.

FMI: www.raytheon.com