Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) is stepping up its efforts in the Middle East, North Africa, India and Pakistan.
In a bid to boost sales RAC (Row A, Chalet 63) is showcasing five of its Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft in the static area.
The Hawker 1000 and Hawker 800XP mid-size jets, the Hawker 400XP and Beechcraft Premier I light jets and the Beechcraft King Air B200 twin turboprop are on display.
“The Middle East market is increasingly attractive to RAC as a number of factors converge,” says Ted Farid, vice-president international sales. “Firstly, the development of the corporate sector creates the market for business jets and moves the emphasis away from big jets for the VIP market. Secondly, RAC’s product range is perfect for this regional market.”
The company has demonstrated its aircraft around the region this year.
Increasing economies, a growing transportation infrastructure, and airline deregulation have bolstered worldwide general aviation sales. RAC’s international sales have grown from $376 million or 16% of total worldwide sales in 2004 to 29% of worldwide sales in 2005.
Jim Schuster, chairman and chief executive, says: “Making customers your No 1 priority translates, no matter what language you speak or what country you are in.”
Putting its money where its mouth is, RAC has appointed international sales and service representatives to oversee its 100 authorised worldwide service centres.
As part of its planned aircraft development strategy RAC has announced improvements to several products this year.
The Hawker Horizon, renamed the Hawker 4000, can carry six passengers for 3,000nm (5,500km) at Mach 0.82 and has a field length requirement of 4,500ft (1,400m), an improvement of nearly 15%.
The Hawker 850XP springs from the Hawker 800XPi, and features RAC designed winglets, adding an extra 100nm to its range.
The Premier IA was introduced in May 2005 and comes with a redesigned interior, avionics enhancements, and several systems’ improvements.
The King Air C90GT is an evolution of the C90B and delivers a 25kt (46km/h) increase in maximum cruise speed and up to a 50% reduction in the time needed to reach its certified ceiling of 30,000ft. US Federal Aviation Administration certification is scheduled for Q4 of 2005, with customer deliveries to start in December 2005.
LIZ MOSCROP
Source: Flight Daily News
