Remarks Come During NBAA News Conference Announcing Company Updates

Hawker Beechcraft president and CEO Bill Boisture had a fairly pointed message for the Obama Administration during his remarks at a news conference Sunday morning at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas. He said policies that have a direct negative impact on what is arguably the strongest export sector for U.S. manufacturing are counterproductive. He added that the administration had been informed of the impacts its policies are having on the domestic aircraft manufacturing industry, and with the recently-announced policies still unfavorable to aviation companies, "we must assume it's intentional. We are approaching it with new resolve."

(L-R) Tannahill, Vick, Boisture

HBC is working towards building a company structure that Boisture said is more agile and flexible. He discussed training initiatives in place for HBC workers including college degree programs, and  outlined the company's growth in Chihuahua, Mexico.

As to product updates, Boisture said the Hawker AT6 light attack aircraft program is progressing with testing using most air-dropped NATO weapons. Executive Vice President Shawn Vick told the media attending the news conference that the Hawker 200 remains on track, and that the company will petition the FAA to allow FAR Part 135 charter operators of Hawker 800XP, 800XPR, 850XP and 900XP models to conduct extended over-water operations such as San Francisco to Hawaii, without requiring the agency’s Extended Twin-Engine Operations Standards (ETOPS) approval. ETOPS is an internationally recognized standard which permits twin-engine business jet aircraft to fly routes that are up to 180 minutes flying time from the nearest airport. Based upon a series of extensive testing, Hawker Beechcraft believes the aircraft has the capability of traveling the required distance within the allotted time.

Hawker 400

The company also announced the completion of avionics certification for the Hawker 400. A three-display Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 upgrade for the Hawker/Beechjet 400 replaces the existing Pro Line 4 displays and upgrades the flight management system to FMS 6100. With this significant functional enhancement, operators now have access to electronic charts, XM weather/data, WAAS/LPV, ADS-B out, VHF datalink and an upgrade path for future airspace requirements. A two-year Corporate Aircraft Service Program (CASP) warranty on new and existing Rockwell Collins equipment is included with the upgrade. The certification aircraft is on display at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s static display at Henderson Field during the National Business Aviation Association Convention in Las Vegas.

“For Hawker/Beechjet 400 operators, the Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade program provides a significant increase in functionality providing them with more capabilities, more options and more value,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft vice president, Global Customer Support. “The next step in certification of the Hawker 400XPR program, a four-display version will certify by early 2012 with new Williams FJ44-4 engines certifying by mid-2012. Excitement and orders for the airplane are building.”

Hawker Beechcraft offers customized XPR upgrade packages for existing aircraft owners and XPR Factory Completed Aircraft for those who do not currently own a Hawker/Beechjet 400. Both the XPR upgrade and Factory Completed Aircraft include performance, cost and reliability enhancements only available through Hawker Beechcraft. The Hawker 400XPR is the only Hawker/Beechjet 400A factory-designed, engineered and supported upgrade of this kind.

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com