Hawker Unveils Premier II

The next generation of Hawker Beechcraft's composite Premier is faster, goes farther and gets to a new maximum altitude of FL450 faster than its already-revolutionary predecessor and it only costs 10 cents per nautical mile more to operate. The rejuvenated Wichita planemaker unveiled a mockup of the aircraft in a pre-show press conference at EBACE 2008 in Geneva on Monday. The new plane adds winglets, Williams FJ44-3AP turbofans that produce 3,000 lbs. of thrust and goes 1,500 nm on the same size tank of gas, compared to 1,150 nm on he earlier model. "This is truly a revolutionary aircraft," said CEO Jim Schuster, who appeared at the news conference with Gerry Schwartz, chairman of Onex Corp., which took over Hawker Beechcraft more than a year ago. (Both are featured in this podcast interview.)

The more powerful engines improve performance across the board, including high/hot operations that give the aircraft much improved range in challenging circumstances. The company is also stressing that the Premier IA is the only composite certified jet and the fastest single-pilot certified aircraft outside of the military and its new stablemate will build on that success. Schuster said the Premier II will "redefine the light jet market."