In early 2012, Hawker Beechcraft expects the FAA will grant approval for extended overwater operations such as San Francisco to Hawaii for the Hawker 800XP, 800XPR, 850XP, and 900XP. The flights will be made without the need for the FAA’s extended twin-engine operations standards (ETOPS) approval.
ETOPS is an internationally recognized standard which permits twin-engine business jet aircraft to fly routes that are up to 180 minutes flying time from the nearest airport. Based upon a series of extensive testing, Hawker Beechcraft believes the aircraft has the capability of traveling the required distance within the allotted time.
“This extension of the Hawker jets’ performance profile in an engine-out situation is not only the result of comprehensive testing, but a testimony to the proven reliability and robust systems of the Hawker fleet,” said Shawn Vick, Hawker Beechcraft executive vice president. “The freedom to operate for even longer periods over water broadens the list of available destinations for these aircraft and provides operators, especially charter companies, with a significant number of additional revenue-generating options.”
Hawker Beechcraft’s analysis determined that the Hawker models are capable of traveling half the distance between specified departure and destination airports in 180 minutes after the loss of power in one engine. At the point of power loss, operating manual procedures call for the aircraft to descend using a high-speed drift down procedure to the most favorable altitude and proceed to the nearest airport.
Alton K. Marsh
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