Ultimate Guide To Hawker Beechcraft Private Jets & Aircraft

Hawker Beechcraft was an aircraft manufacturer that built the well-known Hawker and Beechcraft jets. Although Hawker Beechcraft is probably most famous for its commercial aircraft and business jets, the company also manufactured military training planes for the United States Navy and Air Force.

In the spring of 2012, Hawker Beechcraft submitted its bankruptcy petition. Becoming Beechcraft Corporation, the company emerged from bankruptcy at the beginning of 2013 and was acquired by Textron.

About the Company

Between 2006 and 2013, the American aerospace manufacturer known as Hawker Beechcraft Corporation was responsible for producing the Beechcraft and Hawker private jet series of aircraft. Wichita, Kansas, served as the location of the main office, while other cities throughout the world were responsible for manufacturing and servicing. The beginning of Hawker Beechcraft may be traced back to 1994 when Raytheon combined the Beech Aircraft Corporation and the Raytheon Corporate Jets businesses into a single company.

In 2006, a group of investors from Goldman Sachs and Onex Corp purchased the company. Because of this acquisition, the firm was left with a significant amount of debt and had difficulties covering it as the global financial crisis of 2008 progressed. The company fell behind on its payments; as a result, extensive rumors circulated that the company would soon file for bankruptcy.

The corporation formally declared bankruptcy on May 3, 2012, by voluntarily filling out forms with the United States Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11.

As a direct result of the bankruptcy, the firm decided to accept an offer to be acquired by Superior Aviation Beijing. After the discussions for a sale broke down, the business made the decision to discontinue jet manufacturing.

On February 19, 2013, the company emerged from bankruptcy after rebranding under the name Beechcraft Corporation.

At this time, Cessna’s owner – Textron, expressed interest in purchasing the firm if Hawker Beechcraft was unable to finalize the proposed transaction with Superior. Textron Aviation completed the acquisition of the new firm in 2014; nonetheless, the Beechcraft trademark continues to operate independently under Textron Aviation.

Hawker Beechcraft Products and Services

Products

Civil

Piston-propeller
Beechcraft Baron
Beechcraft Bonanza
Turboprop
Beechcraft King Air
Beechcraft Super King Air
Beechcraft 1900 Airliner

Jets

Beechcraft Premier I
Hawker 200
Hawker 400XP
Hawker 750
Hawker 850XP
Hawker 900XP
Hawker 1000
Hawker 4000

Military

C-12 Huron
T-1 Jayhawk
T-6 Texan II/CT-156 Harvard II

Services

Textron Aviation, the parent company of Hawker Beechcraft, offers the following aircraft services for Hawker planes as well as other subsidiaries.

AOG (Aircraft On Ground) Support

With only one phone call, clients can quickly get their jet back in the air if an unexpected need for repair occurs. Customers of Cessna Citation, King Air, and Hawker Beechcraft have access to a specific, centralized contact number and contact person, thanks to 1CALL’s convenient service. After that, a knowledgeable professional from 1CALL will:

provide technical assistance,
provide portable maintenance,
or deliver components to clients’ locations.

All these services are available regardless of the client’s location.

Mobile Service

Repairs and upkeep are always performed based on the client’s preferences by a team of mechanics and professionals who perform portable service solutions geared up to maintain a Hawker aircraft. In addition, if any questions arise, clients can contact Team Hawker, which is comprised of some of the industry’s most qualified Hawker technicians and specialists, available to help on a technical matter.

Service Centers

Clients have an extensive and competent service network, assisting at twenty well-equipped sites all around the world, positioned tactically. Aircraft are kept in high-functioning condition by professionals with OEM certifications. If a client cannot make it to a service location, the company will send a Mobile Service Unit to provide onsite help.

You can take a look at all service locations on the following link.

Spare Parts

Textron Aviation can provide leasing, maintenance, and overhaul services around the clock and access to its inventory of more than 19 million aircraft components. They are able to deliver almost 100% same-day supply on all in-stock supply orders.

You can take a more detailed look and get to know the team, their offer, and even get a discount on the following link.

Field Support Reps

Field Support Representatives (FSR) are knowledgeable technicians who have received factory-specific training and are ready to assist clients with their aircraft. These FSRs give onsite help whenever required thanks to their years of expertise working in airplane upkeep and their access to substantial instruction manuals, factory layouts, and thorough manufacturer paperwork.

On the following link, you can browse through the following listing:

Asia Pacific
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Latin America
United States & Canada – Jet
United States & Canada – Propeller
Managers

Planning Ahead

Textron Aviation encourages clients to plan ahead and will help them become owners of one of the many aircraft under Textron Aviation.

Aircraft Types

Let’s explore the aircraft types through history.

Beechcraft models

Single-engined aircraft

Model 16: single-engine training aircraft;

Model 17: single-radial-engine, biplane utility aircraft;

Model 23: single-engine utility aircraft;

Model 24: higher-power development of Model 23;

Model 35 Bonanza: single-engine utility aircraft with V-tail;

Model 77 Skipper: single-engine, two-seat trainer aircraft;

Model 220 Denali: single-turboprop high-performance utility aircraft.

Twin-engined aircraft

Standard 18 Twin Beech: Twin-radial-engine utility aircraft;

Model 26 Wichita: twin-engine trainer built primarily of wood;

Model 40: twin-engined Bonanza, only one produced;

Model 50 Twin Bonanza: twin-engine utility aircraft;

Model 55 Baron: twin-engine high-performance, new design, utility aircraft;

Model 58 Baron: lengthened aircraft based on the Model 55 with dual rear passenger doors and cabin pressurization;

Model 60 Duke: twin-engine high-performance utility aircraft;

Model 80 Queen Air: twin-engine transport aircraft;

Model 87: turboprop engines;

Model 88 Queen Air: twin-engine transport aircraft;

Model 95 Travel Air: twin-engine development of the Model 35 Bonanza;

Model 400 Beechjet: twin-turbofan-engine utility aircraft, designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi;

Model 2000 Starship: twin-turboprop-engine utility aircraft;

Model 1900 Airliner: twin-turboprop-engine airliner development of Model 200 Super King Air.

Prototype

Model 34 Twin-Quad: prototype of a small airliner; the largest aircraft ever built by Beechcraft;

Model 38P Lightning: experimental turboprop utility aircraft;

Model 73 Jet Mentor: prototype for two-seat tandem jet trainer;

Model 70 Queen Air: twin-engine transport aircraft.

Turboprops

Model 56 Baron: turbocharged variant of the Model 55;

Model 65 Queen Air: twin-engine transport aircraft;

Model 99 Airliner: twin-turboprop-engine small airliner; derived from the Queen Air 80;

Model 390 Premier: twin-turbofan-engine utility aircraft.

King Air

Model 90 King Air: twin-turboprop-engine transport aircraft developed from the Queen Air 88;

Model 100 King Air: twin-turboprop-engineer transport aircraft developed from the King Air 90;

Model 200 Super King Air: development of the King Air 100;

Model 300 Super King Air: development of the King Air 200.

Defense

Model 45 Mentor: tandem two-seat single-engine military trainer produced for the U.S. military as T-34;

Model 76 Duchess: twin-engine four-seat trainer developed from Model 24 Sierra;

Model 3000 Texan II: military turboprop trainer.

Drone

Model 1001

Model 1019

Model 1025

Model 1074 Pave Eagle

Model 1079 Pave Eagle II

Hawker models

Hawker Duiker: prototype – first original design by Hawker, one aircraft built;

Hawker Woodcock

Hawker Cygnet

Hawker Hedgehog: prototype

Hawker Horsley

Hawker Heron

Hawker Hornbill

Hawker Danecock

Hawker Harrier: prototype

Hawker Hawfinch

Hawker Hart

Hawker F.20/27 prototype

Hawker Hoopoe

Hawker Tomtit

Hawker Hornet

Hawker Osprey

Hawker Nimrod

Hawker Fury

Hawker Audax

Hawker Dantorp

Hawker Demon

Hawker P.V.3 prototype

Hawker Hart

Hawker Hind

Hawker Hind variants

Hawker P.V.4 prototype

Hawker Hartbeest

Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Hawker Hector

Hawker Henley

Hawker Hotspur

Hawker Tornado

Hawker Typhoon

Hawker Tempest

List of Hawker Tempest operators

Hawker F.2/43 Fury prototype

Hawker Sea Fury

Hawker P.1040

Hawker Sea Hawk

Hawker P.1052 1948 prototype

Hawker P.1072 1950 prototype

Hawker P.1078 prototype

Hawker P.1081 1950 prototype

Hawker Hunter variants

Hawker P.1127 1960 prototype

In service

King Air 360ER

Maximum flight range: 2,539 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 15

King Air 360

Maximum flight range: 1,806 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 11

King Air 260

Maximum flight range: 1,720 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 9

Beechcraft Denali

Maximum flight range: 1,600 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 8 to 11

Baron G58

Maximum flight range: 1,480 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 6

Bonanza G36

Maximum flight range: 920 nm

Maximum number of passengers: 6

Most Famous Aircraft by the Company

Let’s take a look at Beechcraft and Hawker’s aircraft that made an impact in the companies’ history, respectfully.

By Beechcraft

Passengers worldwide use the Beechcraft King Air turboprop more than any other turboprop. As a middle ground between piston-engine and jet aircraft, Beech Aircraft created King Air in 1964. It could fly higher and further than piston-engine aircraft while landing on restricted runways and small airports.

Small to midsize businesses continue to use this design as their leading company aircraft, while bigger enterprises still have several of them in their flying inventory. Beechcraft used its current production process to create a significantly improved and successful business airplane instead of engaging in an entirely new and costly innovation, focusing on ongoing improvements to meet a variety of executive demands.

King Air 360

The King Air 360 includes cabin design enhancements and changes to the cockpit to minimize pilot effort, even though most of its specs are identical to those of the Model 350.

Specifications:

Passengers: 11;
Wing span: 57 ft 11 in;
Exterior height: 14 ft 4 in;
Full length: 46 ft 8 in;
Cabin height: 57 ft;
Cabin length: 19 ft 6 in;
Cabin width: 54 ft;
External baggage space: 71.3 cu ft;
Max flight range: 1806 nm;
Max cruise speed: 312 kts;
Engines: 2;
Crew: 2.

The King Air series, which has been in production for almost 40 years, continues to reign supreme among turboprops and fills a sizable void in the business aviation industry.

By Hawker

The Hawker 800 has established itself as one of the most well-liked business jets throughout the course of its close to 30-year existence, selling over 650. The Hawker 800 is significantly smaller than the majority of other midsize business jets, which also makes it lighter. As a result, the Hawker has a comparable faster top and cruise speed and a greater range.

Many Hawkers also come equipped with a sofa, which is frequently convertible into a bed. Although some Hawker owners choose not to use this option, it does rely on Hawker’s design. The Hawker 800’s luggage compartment is smaller than that of other private jets in its class, unsuitable for passengers who are carrying excessive baggage.

Specifications:

Passengers: 8;
Wing span: 54 ft 4 in;
Exterior height: 18 ft 1 in;
Full length: 51 ft 2 in;
Cabin width: 6 ft;
Cabin height: 5 ft 9 in;
Cabin length: 21 ft 4 in;
Internal baggage space: 49 cu ft;
Max flight range: 2620 nm;
Max cruise speed: 449 kts;
Engines: 2;
Crew: 2.

Safety

Reducing the adverse effects of industry practices on the surrounding environment is an essential component of Hawker Beechcraft’s parent company, Textron Aviation. The target for the company’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) performance is to strive for steady growth.

Textron Aviation’s operating principles regarding EHS are:

No profession or hobby is worth the danger of getting hurt.
Clients can avoid all accidents.
It’s a requirement for employees to maintain a safe workplace.
Senior management is liable for environmental, safety, and health, while line management is responsible for its implementation.
Their services, company facilities, and planning processes all have ecological, medical, and safety considerations designed and integrated into them.
Employees get the training, education, and experience necessary to do their jobs safely.

The worldwide operating principles and standards serve as a benchmark against which they evaluate the progress made across all of their business divisions.

You can visit Textron Aviation’s Corporate Responsibility Report if you want further information on Textron’s commitment as well as its accomplishments.

Innovations

This year (2022), Textron successfully completed its purchase of Pipistrel, an innovator in electrically-powered aircraft.

Textron Aviation has a comprehensive recycling program integrated into its production cycle. They recycle avionics, landing gear, and electrical components and then reuse them in their manufacturing process. This allows them to employ scrap metal and composite materials left over from the production process.

Textron Inc. has just established a new business segment known as Textron eAviation. Its principal objective is to create aircraft that are less harmful to the environment, as well as pioneering electric propulsion systems for rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft.

Sustainability

Textron Aviation is committed to environmental sustainability, pledging to decrease carbon emissions from 2020 to 2050.

The following objectives are priorities for Textron Aviation:

Customers and employees are in a safe and friendly environment.
Improved neighborhoods where their employees live.
Reducing trash production, energy and water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a kind of fuel with a lower total carbon footprint, is compatible with all Textron turbine-powered aircraft. Additionally, SAF is accessible to clients at the Textron Aviation Service Center in Wichita, Kansas, as part of the regular customer service experience.

The New Green Energy Program at Textron Aviation is run by the Kansas-based energy company Evergy. The two businesses agreed to work together to use Kansas’s abundant, affordable, and sustainable wind energy to meet almost all of the electricity needs of the Wichita and Independence sites.

Conclusion

Hawker Beechcraft made a long run through history, with many ups and downs, but managed to survive in the aviation industry thanks to its parent company Textron Aviation. The Hawker and Beechcraft aircraft continue flying and receive maintenance to keep aircraft owners happy and enjoy their quality jets.