WICHITA, Kan. (March 28, 2007) – Just two days after the launch of the new company, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation delivered its first aircraft to commercial and government customers. A Beechcraft Bonanza G36 was delivered to Vic Flegler and the keys to a new T-6A Texan II primary trainer were handed to Capt. Brent Looby and Capt. Matt Pearce (USMC) from Vance Air Force Base.
"Over the past several days in meetings with employees and customers, I have referenced the Beechcraft and Hawker books that describes the history of our great company, and that we will now begin to write the next book setting forth the future history of Hawker Beechcraft," said Jim Schuster, chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. "These two deliveries will be included in the first chapter of that new book."Mr. Flegler is the Rheem® HVAC distributor for the Midwest headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., with multiple offices throughout the territory. His first flight in an airplane was in a 1950 V-tail Bonanza and he began flying at the age of 14 in Dodge City, Kan. A 3,800-hour pilot with two jet ratings, Mr. Flegler purchased the new Bonanza G36 because of its performance and reliability, as well as the advanced, fully-integrated Garmin G1000 avionics system.
The Beechcraft Bonanza is the only aircraft in history to remain in continuous production for 60 years. Utilizing the latest technology in avionics, systems and safety equipment, paired with exquisite interior appointments, the airplane offers the ultimate in refinement. It features Garmin G1000 avionics suites including the new Garmin GFC 700TM autopilot, and is the first application of the fully integrated avionics system in piston engine aircraft. The combined package provides improved situational awareness, increased functionality, and reduced pilot workload. More than 18,000 Beechcraft Bonanzas have been built and delivered.
The T-6A Texan II is the military trainer for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS). The JPATS program was awarded to, what was then Beech Aircraft Corporation, in 1996 with training beginning at Moody Air Force Base (Ga.) in October of 2001. The Hellenic Air Force of Greece has 45 aircraft and the NATO Flying Training Canada (NTFC) program has 26 aircraft. The T-6A has accumulated over 550,000 fleet hours around the world. To date, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy have ordered 420 aircraft, and over 350 have been delivered. The JPATS program calls for the company to build nearly 800 of the primary trainers through the year 2017 while expecting increased domestic and international sales during that time. Support for the aircraft will continue through 2050.
Vance Air Force Base conducts joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy primary flight training. Over 90 T-6A Texan II aircraft are operated at the base.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is the world's leading business, special-mission and trainer aircraft manufacturer – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company's headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Chester, England, U.K. The company leads the industry with a global network of over 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers.
