Rival upgrades for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP light business jet are reporting progress, with completion of development flight tests on the Nextant 400XT and acquisition of a test aircraft for Hawker Beechcraft’s own 400XPR.
Nextant Aerospace plans to begin certification flight tests this month after completing final configuration changes on the 400XT, with FAA approval expected in the first quarter of 2011.
The 400XT upgrade replaces the 400A/XP’s Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D engines with more fuel-efficient Williams International FJ44-3APs. Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics and aerodynamic improvements complete the package.
To be certificated in 2012 and available through Hawker Beechcraft Services’ factory-owned facilities, the 400XPR upgrade re-engines the 400A/XP with FJ44-4A-32s and installs composite winglets, with a Pro Line 21 cockpit available as an option.
The 3,050-lb. thrust FJ44-3AP gives the 400XT a range with four passengers of 2,005 nm., compared with 1,465 nm. for the basic aircraft, says Nextant. Hawker Beechcraft says the FJ44-4A, flat-rated to 3,200-lb., will give the 400XPR a range of 1,800 nm.
Nextant in October announced a 40-aircraft order from U.S. fractional operator Flight Options. Hawker Beechcraft, meanwhile, has halted Hawker 400XP production for 2011 and 2012, but is expected to incorporate the 400XP upgrades when in restarts the line.
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