Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) flagship Hawker 4000 and leading Beechcraft Premier IA will be honored today for world speed record flights accomplished in each aircraft earlier this year. Today, in two separate ceremonies at the HBC static display at Orlando Executive Airport, National Aeronautics Association (NAA) officials will present the pilots of each aircraft with certificates commemorating each flight. On hand for the event will be legendary astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson, who was at the controls of the Premier IA flight. “Both the Hawker 4000 and the Premier IA deliver superior cruise and range performance compared to their nearest competitors,” said HBC executive vice president Shawn Vick. “The Hawker 4000 sets the standard in the super-midsize category and there really is no competition for the Premier IA when it comes to speed and cabin comfort in its class.” The Premier IA ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. and the Hawker 4000 ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Representing the NAA, the national authority for overseeing and certifying aviation records, in the ceremonies will be President Jonathan Gaffney. Both speed record flights took place en route to the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in May. The Hawker 4000 set its speed record between Farmingdale, New York, and Shannon, Ireland, covering the 3,063-statute mile (4,929 km) distance in 5 hours, 17 minutes. The HBC crew consisted of Vice President of Flight Operations Bob Blouin and Senior Demonstration Captain Mark Danin. Their average speed over the route was 579.63-mph (932.83 kph) at an altitude of 41,000 feet. The NAA approved the record in the category Class C-1.I (35,274 lbs.-44,092 lbs.) Group III (jet), and forwarded it to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) in Switzerland where it was certified as a world record. The Premier IA’s record was set between HBC’s International Headquarters in Chester, U.K., and Geneva, Switzerland, with Robert “Hoot” Gibson at the controls and aircraft owner Robert Kay of the United Kingdom and HBC pilot Aaron Comber alongside. The Premier IA completed the 627-statute mile (1,011 km) trip in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 30 seconds at an average speed of 512.66-mph (825.05 kph), setting a world record in the Class C-I.E (6,164-13,228 lbs.) Group III (jet) category. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
