Hawker Beechcraft Receives More Than 70 Commitments for New Premier II
GENEVA, Switzerland (May 20, 2008) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today revealed that the number of commitments for the recently announced new Beechcraft Premier II has grown to more than 70 positions, including more than 40 firm orders.
“The customer response has been fantastic. Those who have experienced a Premier know that they are flying or operating a true breakthrough aircraft,” said Brad Hatt, Hawker Beechcraft president, Commercial Aircraft. “The Premier’s unmistakable comfort, now combined with a phenomenal boost in performance, makes the Premier II an airplane pilots and companies can’t wait to own and operate.”
HBC announced the launch of the Beechcraft Premier II earlier this week at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The new light business jet evolves from the highly successful Premier 1A and will feature higher cruise speeds, 20 percent longer range with four passengers and increased payload, while still offering the largest cabin and most technologically advanced single-pilot business jet in the world. The Premier II’s performance, cabin and technology will provide the ideal light jet choice for pilot owners and business operators.
The Premier II will be a twin turbofan, swept wing, light jet aircraft featuring a high-strength, advanced composite fuselage that allows for a medium-jet sized cabin at light jet costs. New winglets and the new powerful and highly efficient Williams International FJ44-3AP engines, each producing 3,000 pounds of thrust, will allow the Premier II to climb unrestricted to 45,000 feet and fly a 1,500 nm (2,778 km) mission with one pilot and four passengers (800 lbs payload).
Additionally, the higher thrust engines will increase maximum cruise speed to 465 knots (861 km/hr) at 33,000 feet and improve high/hot take-off operations. The Premier’s renowned comfortable standard seating for up to six passengers and their baggage will be a luxury standard in the Premier II.
First flight of the aircraft is scheduled for April 2009 with FAA Certification for Q2 2010. European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) certification is planned for Q4 2010.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft – 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. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.