Announces A Successful Engine Test Flight And Revised Launch
Date
Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation (HBC) said Monday it is making significant progress on
the Beechcraft Premier II program, with the first successful test
flight of the aircraft’s new engines on a modified Premier
IA, and the entry of the first Premier II fuselage on the assembly
line. HBC also said this week it will adjust the aircraft’s
entry-into-service date in response to the challenging economic
environment.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress on the
Premier II program to date, as well as our continued success
supporting our Premier customers,” said Bill Boisture, HBC
Chairman and CEO. “While we remain fully committed to
certifying and fielding the class-leading Premier II as designed,
we must be prudent in our evaluation of the current and forecasted
global economic environment. Based on these conditions, we have
made the decision to extend the entry-into-service date to better
align with anticipated rebound of the business jet
market.”
The Premier II program continues to progress, with HBC remaining
focused on making its commitment for first prototype flight to take
place in December 2009. The company will continue to evaluate the
best timing for the Premier II entry-into-service, but expects this
to now occur in late 2012 or early 2013.
The new light business jet evolves from the highly successful
Premier IA and will feature higher cruise speeds, 20 percent longer
range with four passengers and increased payload, while still
offering the largest cabin and most technologically advanced
single-pilot business jet in the world. The Premier II’s
performance, cabin and technology will provide the ideal light jet
choice for pilot owners and business operators.
HBC Premier II Artist's
Concept
The Premier II will be a twin turbofan, swept wing, light jet
aircraft featuring a high-strength, advanced composite fuselage
that allows for a medium-jet sized cabin at light jet costs. New
winglets and the new powerful and highly efficient Williams
International FJ44-3AP engines, each producing 3,000 pounds of
thrust, will allow the Premier II to climb unrestricted to 45,000
feet and fly 1,500 nm with one pilot and four passengers (800 lbs
payload). Additionally, HBC says the higher thrust engines will
increase maximum cruise speed to 465 knots at 33,000 feet and
improve high/hot take-off operations.