Nextant Aerospace has delivered the first 400XTi to US fractional ownership company PlaneSense, bringing total deliveries of its remanufactured and re-engined Beechjet/Hawker 400A/XP business jet – introduced in 2011 – to nearly 60.
PlaneSense will incorporate the light twin in to its fleet before the end of the month. This is the first aircraft from an order for up to five 400XTis, placed by the Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based company in March. The second unit is scheduled for delivery later this year.
The $5.3 million 400XTi marks PlaneSense’s foray into the business jet and multi-engine market. Until now the it has operated only Pilatus PC-12 single-engined turboprops, for which it is the biggest customer in the world with a fleet of 32 of the seven-seat VIP-configured type..
Unlike the PC-12s, the 400XTi will not be split into fractions, but added to the core fleet and used by owners who need to travel longer distances than the PC-12 will allow, PlaneSense says.
The company is also launch customer for Pilatus’s in-development light business jet, the PC-24, with an order for six of the types. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2017.
Meanwhile, Nextant is hoping to clinch certification for its G90XT remanufactured and re-engined Beechcraft King Air C90 in the fourth quarter. Deliveries of the $2.75 million aircraft will begin soon after.
The Cleveland, Ohio-based company is now evaluating its next product and has set its sights on aircraft in the super midsize to long-range sectors, including the Dassault Falcon 50/2000/900 families and the Bombardier Challenger 600-series. A programme could be launched as soon as November’s NBAA convention in Las Vegas.
Source: Flight International
