Guardian Flight Orders Upgrade Package for Six Hawker 400XPR Business Jets

Oct. 22, 2014
Guardian Flight’s upgraded Hawker XPR aircraft will feature Genuine Hawker Winglets and the increased power of the Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 22, 2014 – Beechcraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc.,a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition in Orlando that Guardian Flight has secured six orders for the Hawker 400XPR upgrade package. First deliveries are planned for the first half of 2015.

“As the largest air medevac provider in Alaska, this order demonstrates Guardian Flight’s confidence in the added range performance and operating value provided through the Hawker400XPR upgrade,” said Brad Thress, senior vice president, Customer Service at Textron Aviation.

Guardian Flight’s upgraded Hawker XPR aircraft will feature Genuine Hawker Winglets and the increased power of the Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines. Combined, these modifications are projected to realize a 33 percent increase in range along with improvements in runway and hot/high performance. 

Beechcraft offers the exclusive factory-approved, engineered and supported upgrade package that significantly improves performance, operating cost and resale value of the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP. In addition to engines and winglets, the XPR can include upgrades to the aircraft’s exterior, cabin and avionics.

The Genuine Hawker Winglet increases wing aspect ratio to reduce induced drag and allows the airplane to fly farther on less fuel. By increasing wing surface area, the winglets provide greater slow speed handling and improved stability at higher flight levels. Preliminary performance data shows that aircraft upgraded with Hawker winglets should see a three to four percent increase in range. Also during NBAA, Beechcraft announced winglet testing is complete and FAA certification.

The Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines will enable the Hawker 400XPR to climb directly to FL450 in only 19 minutes at max takeoff weight. Based on preliminary performance data, the 400XPR will fly 1,970 nautical miles with four passengers departing a 5,000-foot elevation airport at 30°C. Certification of the new engines is pending.

The factory-approved, engineered and supported upgrade package is available through the Textron Aviation company-owned service center network. Textron Aviation, through its Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, is renowned for its unrivaled global service network dedicated to complete life-cycle support. Textron Aviation’s product support organization includes a world-wide network of authorized service centers including 21 company-owned facilities with thousands of expert service engineers offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionic upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments, and other specialized services. Textron Aviation also offers on-site service support through more than 40 mobile support units, an Air Response Team and its Go Teams.

For more information on the XPR upgrade program, visit http://xpr.beechcraft.com/.