Beechcraft will forever be an iconic brand of the aviation industry. The story behind it is incredible, and despite the company’s rougher patches such as its bankruptcy filed earlier this year, the company has proven that is is nonetheless a top contender in the global market for general and special missions aviation. In fact, Beechcraft just reported a very strong first quarter for 2013, including 59 total aircraft deliveries – 34 of which were KingAir! See below for the full release.
WICHITA, Kan. (May 8, 2013) – Beechcraft Corporation today announced a strong first quarter in reporting its delivery data to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The company reported a total of 59 Beechcraft deliveries, along with the delivery of its final six remaining Hawker 4000 units. In comparison, the company delivered 37 Beechcraft units during the first quarter of 2012.
“The market is responding positively to the new Beechcraft Corporation, as we focus on a strong line of versatile and globally-renowned products like the King Air turboprop, the T-6 military trainer aircraft, and the largest global customer support network in the industry,” said Bill Boisture, CEO. “This is not only reflected in our strong aircraft delivery numbers this quarter, but also evidenced by the highest booking rate the company has seen in the past three years.”
| Beechcraft Corporation | |
| 2013 First Quarter Aircraft Deliveries | |
| AIRCRAFT MODEL | UNITS |
| King Air 350i/ER | 16 |
| King Air 250 | 13 |
| King Air C90GTx | 5 |
| Baron G58 | 7 |
| Bonanza G36 | 9 |
| T-6A/B/C | 9 |
| Beechcraft Total | 59 |
| Hawker 4000 | 6 |
| Total Aircraft | 65 |
| In 2012, Beechcraft King Airs captured 94 percent of the global multi-engine turboprop deliveries. During this year’s Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition, the company announced the first King Air order for pilot training by a private aviation school in China. In addition, the worldwide fleet of King Air turboprops reached a milestone this quarter by exceeding 60 million flight hours, by far leading all business aircraft fleets.Another milestone achieved this quarter was the delivery of the 800th T-6 trainer aircraft. This milestone aircraft was one of nine delivered in the first quarter. In addition to its on-time deliveries of the T-6, Beechcraft Defense Company remains focused on securing a launch customer for the AT-6 light attack aircraft. The company expects to learn the outcome of its protest of the Light Air Support contract award with the Government Accountability Office during the second quarter.
Further, the Global Customer Support (GCS) upgrade programs for the Hawker 400XPR and 800XPR are attracting a strong positive response in the marketplace. The 2013 slots for the factory designed, engineered and supported Hawker 400XPR program are sold out as the program completes its final certification phase. In addition, the GCS team and its factory-owned service center network, Hawker Beechcraft Services (HBS), continue to focus on supporting all Hawker and Beechcraft products. As evidence of this team’s experience and expertise, its seven U.S. HBS locations received the prestigious Diamond Award from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Maintenance Technician Program earlier this year, the FAA’s highest distinction for excellence in aircraft maintenance training. “Beechcraft Corporation’s first quarter success is a great start for our new company,” Boisture said. “Our plan throughout last year’s restructuring was to emerge as a stronger, more agile organization able to compete in any economy. We are pleased with how our customers are responding to our products and services.” |