Belgian charter operator first to put new turboprop into service in European skies
GENEVA, Switzerland (May 4, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today debuted its new Beechcraft King Air 350i turboprop at the 2010 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE). Deliveries commenced in December 2009 for the King Air 350i, which sets the standard in cabin comfort, connectivity and flexibility while delivering unmatched fuel efficiency and the lowest operating cost per seat.
HBC received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Type Certification for the twin-engine aircraft in December and recently made its first delivery to a European customer, Belgian charter operator Philippe Bodson.
“We are pleased to have on display the 350i – a state-of-the-art version of an aircraft with a rich tradition of reputable service throughout the region and around the world,” said Sean McGeough, HBC president, Europe, Middle East and Africa region. “The King Air 350i matches its predecessors in fuel efficiency and mission flexibility while offering a modernized cabin that beats many large business jets with a much higher price tag.”
Bodson, founder and general manager of the private charter company ASL, operates the King Air 350i out of Antwerp. ASL offers corporate charter service to approximately 100 European destinations in Europe and North Africa with the 350i and several other King Air models that are part of the company’s fleet of 14 aircraft.
“We are very glad to have the first King Air 350i in service in Europe,” said Bodson, who started ASL in 1998. “We know the value of the aircraft and it is a very good thing to promote to our customers. The 350i is also particularly good for special missions, like those to small airfields that cannot be done by other aircraft. The spacious and modern cabin of the 350i accommodates up to nine passengers and is the perfect solution for the short and medium ranged missions. It offers a very high price quality ratio and the aircraft attracts specific clients who choose this concept above a jet on these routes.”
The King Air 350i is the first business aircraft on the market equipped with the new Rockwell Collins Venue™ cabin management system (CMS). The system supports multiple Personal Entertainment Devices, including CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ and MP3 players, Apple iPods®, Sony PlayStation® and Microsoft Xbox 360™ gaming consoles, laptop computers, digital and video cameras, USB data-storage devices and future HDMI® devices.
The new CMS features a 15.3-inch swing-out monitor in the forward entertainment cabinet with wide-screen display showing digital high-definition video and entertainment. High-definition screens at each seat can be added. Nine programmable switch panels control the CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc and MP3 players, audio and video jukebox, 3-D Airshow moving map and flight information. Cabinets are also equipped with standard USB charging ports and docking stations for travelers’ wireless devices.
In addition to the CMS enhancements, the King Air’s trademark flexibility has been stretched even further through the 350i’s new state-of-the-art Beechcraft FlexCabin capability, which enables owners to reconfigure or remove aft club components to meet the specific needs of each mission.
The sleek interior design of the King Air 350i spotlights the unparalleled cabin capabilities. The updated interior includes all-new headliner, seat tailoring and tables, electrochromic window darkeners, LED lighting, increased legroom and optional seat warmers. Additionally, the King Air 350i includes an optional vanity in the aft lavatory area that incorporates a variety of toiletry storage areas, running water, automatic LED lighting and dual mirrors, and is located next to the King Air 350i’s in-flight accessible baggage area for total passenger privacy and convenience.
The King Air 350i is also now the quietest King Air. Cabin sound levels have been reduced to an average of 78 dBA, equal to or better than competitive business jets.
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.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
May 032010
GENEVA, Switzerland (May 3, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it has received Type Certification for the Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jet from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The approval is the latest in a growing list for the flagship of the Hawker Beechcraft fleet, which has also gained certification in Bermuda, China, Honduras, India, the Isle of Man, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United States. With its innovative composite construction, the Hawker 4000 is the world’s most advanced business jet, delivering an exceptional combination of speed, climb performance and range.
“The market for the Hawker 4000 in Europe, Africa and the Middle East is an expansive and important one,” said Sean McGeough, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “EASA certification bolsters the Hawker 4000’s already enthusiastic reception in the region. There are currently eight aircraft based in the region with more scheduled for delivery in the coming months.”
The Hawker 4000 leads the super-midsize business jet category in versatility, comfort and performance. It can carry 4 passengers 3,200 nautical miles non stop. Its best-in-class take-off field length (ISA, SL, MTOW) is just 1,545 m (5,068 ft.). It climbs from sea level to 41,000 feet in just 19 minutes. Once at altitude, the Hawker 4000’s maximum cruise speed of Mach .84 (896 km/hr gets customers to their destination quickly. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A engines deliver 6,900 pounds of thrust each flat rated at ISA +22° Celsius and, combined with the Hawker 4000’s advanced wing design, provide impressive high altitude/hot temperature and short field performance.
The Hawker 4000’s cockpit features a fully-integrated Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite, with five high-resolution 20 x 25 cm (8 x 10 in.) LCD displays, that is built on the same advanced avionics architecture as the Boeing 777. It has enhanced situational awareness and flight management systems, backed by real-time system monitoring and status. The airplane comes standard with dual Inertial Reference System, dual air-cycle machines and auto-throttle that are ideally suited for long-range and trans-continental flights. Avionics and utility systems are fully integrated, and advanced composite material construction provides for lower part count, enhanced reliability and lower lifecycle costs.
The composite fuselage of the Hawker 4000 features a 1.83 m (6 ft.) stand-up cabin with a 1.97 m (6 ft. 5.5 in.) width. A flat floor runs the entire length of the aircraft, leading to an impressively large 2.51 cubic m (88.5 cubic ft.)/900 lb. baggage area, accessible during flight and on the ground through an exterior door. An eight-place interior configuration is standard with fully-articulating executive seats in double club format. The interior can be customized with a wide variety of materials and cabin finishes.
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.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
