Hawker Beechcraft has gained US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification of the Hawker 800XPR, powered by the Honeywell TFE731-50R engines.

The upgrade package offers performance and capability improvements by replacing the aircraft's original engines and improved aerodynamics with genuine Hawker winglets. The first customer delivery is scheduled for early September.

"The Hawker 800XPR factory upgrade underscores our commitment to our customers, with products that improve performance, lower operating costs and increase resale value of the aircraft we design and build," said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft vice-president, global customer support.

 Hawker 800XP W445
The Hawker 800XPR is an upgrade of the Hawker 800XP with genuine Hawker winglets powered by the Honeywell TFE731-50R engines

Hawker is also working on the 400XPR upgrade programme, with certification anticipated in 2012.

The company claims a 7% reduction in fuel consumption and improved hot and high performance from the upgrades.

Meanwhile, the Rockwell Collins Integrated Display System (IDS) flight deck upgrade for the Beechcraft 1900D has completed its first flight. This upgrade removes the factory-installed Pro Line II EFIS 84 system and replaces it with the fully integrated Pro Line 21 IDS.

Source: Flight International