Hawker Beechcraft

Hawker Beechcraft has reached an agreement with lenders that will provide a $120 million loan as the company negotiates with creditors to avoid default. Hawker Beech said it intends to use the proceeds of the loan to fund operations as it continues working with its lenders on broader recapitalization. The company in February named turnaround […]

Amidst ongoing financial turmoil at the company, Hawker Beechcraft announced the addition of recovery specialist Robert “Steve” Miller as CEO on Wednesday. Miller, often cited as the “turnaround kid” for his work restructuring struggling companies in the steel, automotive and waste management industry, will take the reins at Beechcraft immediately. Former CEO Bill Boisture will […]

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia has issued an airworthiness directive temporarily grounding all Beechcraft Bonanza, Debonair and Baron models after aircraft inspections revealed damaged flight control cables. CASA has ordered the repair of any damaged cables before further flight, and has directed operators to replace any cables in use for more than […]

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has sealed a deal with Hawker Beechcraft for six of the company’s new T-6C+ trainers, Beechcraft announced this week. The new trainers, equipped with Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics, HUD and an up-front control panel, among other features, will replace the FAM’s existing fleet of Pilatus PC-7s. According to Beechcraft, […]

Embraer has won a hotly contested contract to build counterinsurgency aircraft in its first deal with the U.S. Air Force, marking a major victory for the Brazilian company and an important milestone in relations between the two countries. The contract award has also touched off a fierce PR and legal offensive by the losing bidder, […]

Citing the “fragile global economic situation,” Hawker Beechcraft has decided to slow development of the Hawker 200 light business jet, known originally as the Beechcraft Premier II, until market conditions rebound. “As you are aware, our industry is facing one of the most challenging markets in its history,” noted Hawker Beechcraft chairman and CEO Bill […]

Hawker Beechcraft‘s Global Customer Support (GCS) has expanded its XPR upgrade program for the Hawker 400 and 800. The program, which was previously exclusive to airframe owners, provides a factory completed option for customers interested in purchasing an airplane and upgrading it with the XPR components and other upgrades. GCS will assist those customers in […]

Hawker Beechcraft reported a loss of $42.2 million in the third quarter, but that was actually a big improvement over last year, when the Wichita aircraft maker lost $81.4 million in the same period. Overall sales were down, totaling $518.8 million in this year’s third quarter compared with $594.7 million during the same period last […]

I stood the autothrottles of the Hawker 4000 up straight, and like magic they came right out of my hand and set their own power as though they knew just what I wanted. I kept my left hand on the tiller along the sidewall waiting for the 60-knot callout, at which point I knew the […]

A story that appeared Wednesday in The New York Times — but which actually dates back more than a year — reported on a U.S. Air Force program that takes lightly used, corporate-configured King Airs and turns them into spy planes — the newly named Liberty MC-12, which are used to gather intelligence on enemy […]