Sierra Industries modified Hawker 400XPR makes first flight

Sierra
Industries has announced that a Hawker Beechcraft 400XPR made its first flight
powered by newly installed Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines. Skyway
Aerospace Technology designed and engineered the retrofit, while the
modification work was done by Sierra Industries of Uvalde, Texas.

Taking off from Garner Field
Airport in Uvalde, Sierra
Industries chief executive officer Mark Huffstutler flew left seat with Hawker
Beechcraft test pilot Dave Newton in the right seat. After takeoff, the 400XPR
climbed to 5,000 feet in one minute and eventually reached 14,000 feet and 320
knots during the maiden flight. “This thing just performed flawlessly,” said
Huffstutler after the flight.

The Hawker 400XPR is a modified version of the
Beechjet/Hawker 400 and buyers can choose among three major modifications,
including new Fadec-controlled Williams engines; Hawker Beechcraft-designed
winglets, which haven’t flown yet but are slated for certification in August;
and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, which have been certified in the
model 400. There were 604 of the eligible serial number Beechjets/Hawker 400s
built.

With the new 3,200-pound-thrust Fadec-controlled
Williams engines replacing the original Pratt & Whitney Canada engines,
the 400XPR can fly 2,015 nm with maximum fuel, 450 nm farther than the regular
model 400.