Hawker Responds Solidly To Market Input With New Birds

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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