US manufacturer enhances Premier IA and Hawker 800XPi business jets with changes available from September
Raytheon Aircraft has introduced the improved Beechcraft Premier IA light business jet and mid-size Hawker 800XPi, featuring cockpit and cabin upgrades. Deliveries will switch to the improved Premier IA in September, says Randy Groom, Beechcraft president.
The light jet features a new interior offering more head and leg room and LED lighting. The Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics are upgraded with the IFIS-5000 integrated flight navigation system, with map overlays as standard and electronic charts and graphical weather as options. The Premier IA also features on-demand lift dump control for better landing performance, improved hydraulic brake anti-skid system, acoustical liner for reduced cabin noise, and lower landing reference speeds, says Groom. At $6.65 million, the Premier IA costs $60,000 more than the original aircraft.
With a list price of $13.5 million, the Hawker 800XPi costs $250,000 more than the aircraft it replaces. Production also switches in September, says Brad Hatt, Hawker president and general manager. Changes include a redesigned interior with additional baggage space, LED lighting and a Rockwell Collins Airshow 21 cabin entertainment system with larger monitors.
The aircraft's Pro Line 21 integrated avionics are upgraded with the IFIS-5000, with electronic charts and graphical weather as standard. The optional second on-board file server will allow paperless cockpit approval, says Hatt. Further upgrades of the Hawker 800, including winglets, are in the offing. The super mid-size Hawker Horizon, meanwhile, made its European debut at EBACE, beginning a demonstration tour that will culminate at next month's Paris air show. Final US certification of the Horizon is expected at the end of the third quarter, says Hatt, with two aircraft to be delivered by year-end, 11 next year and a slow ramp-up to 25-30 a year, he says.
Source: Flight International
