350ER Successfully Completes First Un-Refueled Transatlantic
Flight
It's a long way to go on one tank of gas, but Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Monday announced the recent completion
of the first non-stop transatlantic flight of its Beechcraft King
Air. This significant milestone was achieved by the first of four
modified King Air 350ER twin-engine turboprop aircraft traveling to
the United Kingdom (UK) for delivery to the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) as part of the future Military Flying Training System (UK
MFTS) program. The aircraft flew from Wichita, Kansas, to
Bournemouth International Airport in the UK with only a single stop
in St. John's, Newfoundland. The two legs of the 4,000-plus
nautical-mile journey were achieved in less than 12 hours.
"We were delighted to achieve two significant events in one day -
the delivery of the first new aircraft for the UK Military Flying
Training System and the first non-stop transatlantic flight for the
King Air," said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International
Government Business. "The non-stop transatlantic flight is a
clear demonstration of the 350ER's capabilities, opening new
opportunities for the successful King Air family - the world's best
selling turboprop line of all time."
The King Air 350ER aircraft that accomplished this landmark
transatlantic flight was configured with a large underbelly radome
capable of accommodating a number of different maritime
surveillance radars. The radome and EO/IR fairing installations are
FAA- and EASA-certified and part of the off-the-shelf modifications
developed by HBC for special mission applications.
File Photo
The King Air 350ER is an extended range
version of the King Air 350, modified for increased payload and
fuel to enhance range capability to more than 2,300 nautical miles
and endurance beyond 10 hours.
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