Beechcraft Beechjet 400a/Nextat 400: Rent the long-established light business jet with the many names
The Hawker Beechcraft 400 (also known as the Beechjet 400) is a light business jet originally designed and built by Mitsubishi. Later, the light business jet was further developed by the Beech Aircraft Company, which is now part of the Textron Aviation group.
The small and lightweight twin-engine aircraft of all-metal construction is flown by two pilots and comfortably seats up to eight passengers in a pressurised cabin. The wings are equipped with a computer-calculated airfoil, which helps minimise drag. The two Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan engines are mounted on the rear fuselage.
Originally, the aircraft was conceived as a new development under the name Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond to add a top-of-the-line model superior to the Mitsubishi MU-2 to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' business jet portfolio. The first flight took place on 29 August 1978 and the jet received certification on 6 November 1981.
In 1985, Mitsubishi sold the rights, along with some unfinished airframes, to the US aircraft manufacturer Beechcraft. Beechcraft produced the jet from then on as the Beechjet 400 and received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May 1986.
An improved version with greater range, higher take-off weight, more luxurious equipment and a glass flight deck was launched in 1990. In the meantime, development and production took place under the auspices of the defence company Raytheon Technologies, which had taken over Beechcraft in 1980.
In 1993, Raytheon purchased the Hawker business jets from British Aerospace and renamed the Beechjet 400 the Hawker 400 to integrate it into the existing product line. In 2003, Raytheon began production of the Hawker 400XP, which included the following upgrades: a higher gross weight, a nine-passenger option, thrust reversers, the TCAS II collision warning system and an emergency locator feature.
Nextant Aerospace revised the Hawker 400XP and henceforth called it Nextant 400XT. The JT15D engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada were replaced by the Williams FJ44-3AP model. Furthermore, the avionics system and the interior of the aging light jet were also updated.
The Hawker 400 was marketed for over 30 years under a variety of product names, including Mitsubishi Diamond/Diamond II, Beechjet 400/400A and Hawker 400XP. A military version is marketed as the T-1 Jayhawk. To date, a total of over 900 Hawker 400 aircraft have been delivered.
Since 2017, an upgrade of the popular jet has also been offered under the designation Hawker 400XPR: It enables up to 20% lower fuel consumption with around 33% additional range.
Advantages of a Beechjet 400a/Nextat 400 as a rental aircraft:
More spacious than expected: The cabin of the small business jet is more spacious than its relatively small size would suggest. With a cabin volume of 8.66 cubic metres, it offers passengers plenty of space to spread out and relax. The unique square-oval cabin design also contributes to the spacious feel the jet exudes. It is rightly considered one of the most comfortable options in its class.
Excellent safety record: The Beechcraft Jet has an excellent safety record. This is due in part to its intuitive cockpit design. The reduced workload allows pilots to focus on the essentials, which supports an overall safer flight.
Proven aluminium alloy: The use of aluminium alloy in the construction of the Hawker Beechcraft Light Business Jet is a great advantage. This material is strong and lightweight, allowing the aircraft to fly more efficiently. It is also corrosion resistant, allowing worry-free use even in demanding environments.
Convincing total package: The Hawker Beechcraft is an impressive business jet: it is incredibly fast, efficient and can carry a lot of cargo. With advanced aerodynamics, proven engines and a range of over 2,700 kilometres, it takes travellers to many popular destinations within Europe.
Globetrotter: The aircraft has been produced over many years and under the umbrella of different owners. This exceptionally extensive production history makes the Nextant 400 a reliable and proven aircraft. In times when many aircraft series are discontinued or replaced after only a few years, the Beechjet is a symbol of durability and reliability.
Disadvantages of a Beechjet 400a/Nextat 400 as a rental aircraft:
No single-pilot certification: A possible disadvantage of the Beechcraft 400a as a rental aircraft is that it does not have a single-pilot certification. This means that two people are always required to fly the aircraft - a pilot and a co-pilot. For charter flights, this leads to additional costs and coordination efforts for the operators, which are often also reflected in a higher charter price.
Not a whisper jet: The Beechcraft 400a is an older model with somewhat louder engines. This could make it difficult to use at airports with high noise restrictions. Those looking for an aircraft that can fly to noise-sensitive destinations should consider models with quieter engines.
In the light jet segment, there are a number of possible alternatives to chartering a Hawker 400 jet. The Phenom 300, Cessna Citation V and Pilatus PC-24 can all carry up to eight passengers and offer a comparable range. Business travellers are also comfortable and productive in these light jet alternatives. Embraer's Phenom 300 has a lot to offer: Thanks to its speed, efficiency and range strength, it has been named the best-selling light jet for several years in a row. The Cessna Citation V is known as an extremely pilot-friendly aircraft with a soundproof cabin. The Pilatus PC-24 is the newest light jet on the market: it therefore offers modern cockpit, entertainment and comfort features not available in other light jets. All three alternatives, unlike the Beechjet, have the so-called single-pilot certification and are serious alternatives to chartering a Hawker 400.
The Hawker 400 jets continue to be very popular in the light private jet category. With their flight times of up to 3 hours, they are ideal aircraft for short trips within Europe. The Hawker 400 is also considered by experts to be the best-developed business jet on the market: three experienced aircraft manufacturers have worked on optimising the jet since the 1970s! Frequent flyers appreciate the quiet flying experience that the Light Jet offers. Although it is a light aircraft, the interior is comparable to that of a medium-sized or large jet, writes an experienced aviation expert.
Aircraft data / Technical data (Model: Hawker 400XP)
| Aircraft category | Light Jet |
| Manufacturer | Hawker Beechcraft (today: Textron Aviation Inc.) |
| Model | Hawker 400XP |
| Number of units produced | 225 |
| Production period | 2004 - 2010 |
| Engine | 2 x P&WC JT15D-5 |
| Price | US$7.8 million (list price at launch of the model) |
| Crew | 2 Pilots |
| Toilet | 1 x rear |
Performance
| Take-off route | 1.191 m |
| Landing distance | 902 m |
| Maximum speed | 833 km/h |
| Range | 2.711 km |
| Maximum flight altitude | 13.716 m |
Capacity
| Passenger capacity | 9 Sitzplätze |
| Maximum payload with full tank | 273,5 kg |
| Capacity of the most common rental variant | 8 Sitzplätze |
Cabin
| Cabin volume | 8,66 m³ |
| Cabin (length x width x height) | 4,72 m x 1,50 m x 1,45 m |
