Nextant Aerospace has introduced here a baseline version of the 400XTi, aimed at operators who are not looking for a high-specification version of the remanufactured Beechcraft and Hawker 400-series business jet.
The aircraft, dubbed the 400XTe, will feature the same Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 flightdeck as its stablemate, but with a three-screen rather than a four-screen layout. This configuration was designed for the US Air Force’s Hawker 400-derived T-1A Jayhawk avionics modification programme. Nextant and contract partners Field Aerospace, Rockwell Collins and FlightSafety International were awarded a contract in April to upgrade 178 examples operated by the USAF. Modification work is now underway.
“As with the T-1As, the 400XTe will have two primary flight displays and a single multi-function display as opposed to the XTi’s two MFD’s” says Jim Clifford, Nextant’s director of new product development.
He says Nextant’s decision to launch the baseline model was triggered by customer demand.
“Charter companies and utility operators said they are thrilled with all the operational benefits of the 400XTi platform, but they don’t require the added features such as a VIP interior and a high specification cockpit that comes with its $5.4 million price tag,” Clifford notes.
“Many operators are aware of the T-1A avionics modification and asked if it could be adapted to their aircraft”, he adds.
Nextant is also offering a high-density seating configuration, which will carry up to nine passengers – two more than a typical XTi layout. An off-the-peg 400XTe is priced at $4.5 million, although Nextant does offer what Clifford calls an “à la carte” menu of modifications for existing Hawker/Beechcraft 400-series owners.
The company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, expects the XTe to be “well received”, and Clifford hopes to deliver the first examples in 2019.
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Source: Flight International
