DO NOT count Hawker Beech out in this tough market... as the
company seems more than willing to do what it must to earn as much
market share as possible... even to the point of putting the
pressure on with expansive R&D efforts. Proof positive of that
sentiment was Monday's official announcement of the newest member
of its famed Hawker lineup the Hawker 200, as well as yet another
variation on the venerable King Air.
The Hawker 200 isn't a totally new concept... Evolving from the
Premier II program, the Hawker 200 has all of the same
characteristics and performance, but now comes with more capability
than ever. HBC says the Hawker 200 is unique because it allows you
to fly high and fast, without sacrificing comfort or cost.
Flying at 450 knots and 43,000 feet, the Hawker 200 can perform
the light jet missions needed 95 percent of the time while going
faster, higher, farther and offering more comfort with its class
leading cabin diameter – all for a lower operating cost per
mile and a lower purchase price.
In addition to its new winglets, new powerful Williams
International FJ44-3AP engines, a gross weight increase and a
higher ceiling; the Hawker 200 also features a MultiScan Weather
Radar, ADS-B Out capability, and high reliability with a 400-hour
inspection interval and 10-year composite airframe warranty. The
Hawker 200 program is in an advanced state of development and on
schedule.
Following the first prototype flight in March 2010, the Hawker
200 has compiled more than 100 hours in flight test. The Hawker 200
is scheduled for certification in the third quarter of 2012, with
first deliveries planned for the fourth quarter of that year.
On the turboprop side of the house is the King Air 250, the
development of which resulted from customer-driven changes in its
Beechcraft King Air line. The new variant is the direct result of a
survey of more than 3,000 customers worldwide about several aspects
of overall customer experience, including product development.
The King Air 250’s new features include BLR Aerospace
composite winglets to improve efficiency in all phases of flight,
composite propellers that provide new technology and lighter
weight, and engine induction modifications to increase performance.
HBC says the resulting takeoff performance is better than its
predecessor and any other B200 out there. At max gross takeoff
weight the takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is only 2,111
feet from sea level airports, which is 400 feet shorter than the
B200GT. The new hot/high takeoff performance is even more
exceptional. At max gross takeoff weight, from a 5,000 foot
elevation airport at 25°C, the takeoff distance over a 50 foot
obstacle is 3,094 feet, which is approximately 700 feet improved
over its predecessor. HBC says it designed the King Air 250 to
achieve its excellent field performance without making any
significant tradeoffs. In fact, they say, the King Air 250 offers
slight increases in high speed cruise, climb performance and range
over its predecessor. Certification for the King Air 250 program is
scheduled for later this year, with first deliveries planned for
the second quarter of 2011.
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