Hawker sees sales, losses fall in 2010

--

Feb. 18--Hawker Beechcraft recorded lower sales and losses last year as it delivered fewer aircraft than the year before, the company announced Thursday.

The company's net sales totaled $2.8 billion, down from $3.2 billion in the previous year, largely the result of depressed demand in the general aviation market.

It recorded a net loss of $304.3 million last year, compared with a loss of $451.3 million in 2009.

Company officials are expected to talk about the earnings report today.

Hawker Beechcraft delivered 238 business and general aviation aircraft last year, down from 309 the year before.

The 2009 figures included 29 special mission King Air aircraft delivered under the U.S. government's Project Liberty Phase I program. The company also delivered 80 T-6 trainers in 2010.

In all, Hawker Beechcraft's business and general aviation segment lost $363.1 million in 2010, while its trainer and attack aircraft segment recorded a profit of $95.7 million and customer support had $93.6 million in profit.

The company's backlog totaled $1.4 billion on Dec. 31, compared with a backlog of $1.9 billion on Sept. 30. About 28 percent of the backlog represents orders not scheduled for delivery this year, it said. The backlog also includes significant orders from the U.S. government.

Reach Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or mmcmillin@wichitaeagle.com.