Still stinging from the collapse of its buyout deal with Superior Aviation Beijing, Hawker Beechcraft used the stage at the NBAA Convention to focus on the future — and in particular the company’s plans to introduce four new turboprop and piston models in the next five years while also exiting the business jet market. Plans revealed at NBAA also call for a transition to diesel power across Beechcraft’s piston line.
The first new product from a stand-alone Beechcraft could be an 8- to 11-seat Pratt & Whitney-powered single-engine turboprop that would use the composite fuselage of the Premier I light business jet. Other products would be positioned to fill in gaps between the Bonanza, Baron and King Air family, giving the company a complete range of light general aviation products topping out with the King Air 350.
