Hawker 4000

BRIEF HISTORY – HAWKER 4000

RAYTHEON HAWKER BEECHCRAFT | HORIZON | HAWKER 4000 (2008-2012)
In November 1996, Raytheon unveiled a new business jet that would be larger than the existing Hawker 1000, which was the company’s top-of-the-line jet, albeit a flop at the time. The Hawker Horizon, as it was then known, was supposed to fly in 1999, with certification and first customer deliveries set for 2001. When it was first launched in 1996, the 4000 was dubbed the Horizon and was hailed as a game-changer in the then-nascent super-midsize business jet market. Raytheon Aircraft had devised a new way to manufacture an all-composite business jet, inspired by the magnificent $1 billion egg it had laid with its futuristic, all-composite Beechcraft Starship twin-engine turboprop a decade earlier. The 4000’s carbon fiber fuselage was precision wound and mated to a pair of aluminum wings using a huge automated fiber-placement machine called Viper.The composite fuselage reduces weight, fabrication, assembly, and labor time while also being five times stronger than aluminum, corrosion-resistant, and providing more cabin capacity. At the aircraft’s maximum cruising altitude, the carbon fiber fuselage allows for a low cabin pressure altitude of just 6,000 feet. Special isolators attenuate vibration and produce a cabin quieter than other luxury sedans of the day, reducing the risk of rigidity-induced cabin noise. The first prototype took to the air on August 11, 2001. It was required to go through a 5 year certification process to be certified as FAA FAR Part 25 as it is a new transport category aircraft. The Hawker 4000 received type approval from the US FAA in December 2004 and granted the final type certification in November 2006, however revisions necessitated extra certification, which was granted in June 2008. On June 17th, 2008, the first Hawker 4000 was delivered to Jack DeBoer, a Wichita, Kansas businessman at their headquarters. Sadly in 2012 Hawker Beechcraft would file for bankruptcy after 73 Hawker 4000’s built only 69 of which were between 2008-2012.

CABIN COMFORTS – HAWKER 4000
The Hawker 4000 boasts the largest cabin out of all the Hawker series aircraft measuring 6 feet tall (1.83 m), 6 feet 5 inches wide (1.97 m), and 25 feet (7.42m) long, with a volume of 757 cubic feet (21.44 cu m). The flat-floor, stand-up cabin has seating for eight or nine passengers in a double- or single-club configuration, as well as a half-club opposite a three-place berthing divan. The configuration is completed by a forward cabin galley, two forward closets, and a rear cabin lavatory with walk-in baggage compartment with external access. When flying below 41,000 feet, the 100-cubic-foot baggage box can be accessed. For an airplane in this class, the lavatory and baggage area are both generously spacious. In the restroom, which has a potable water system, a gravity-fed flushing toilet with external servicing, and a wash basin, you can actually stand up and wander around. A certified belted lavatory seat with a belt was an option.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE – HAWKER 4000
The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A turbofan engines, each with a thrust rating of 28.9kN. The engines are situated in pods on either side of the rear fuselage and are equipped with Nordam target thrust reversers and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). A Honeywell AE-36-150 (HH) auxiliary power unit is placed in the tail cone of the aircraft.The first hour of fuel burn is approximately 2,600 pounds (1,180 kg), with successive hours consuming 1,800 to 1,900 pounds (817-862 kg). The range is impressive at 3,000 nautical miles. With flaps covering much of the wing’s trailing edge, the 4000 can reach VREF speeds of 115 KIAS, enabling for impressively quick landings. However, the balanced field length for takeoff is 5,088 feet (1,551 m) and a landing distance at 2,907 feet (886 m).The Hawker 4000’s climb capability, which allows it to quickly reach more fuel-saving altitude, is a major feature. The 4000 can reach 35,000 feet (10,668 m) in 13 to 14 minutes after a maximum weight takeoff and 41,000 feet (12,497 m) in under 20 minutes. And that’s with speeds of 280 knots (322 mph / 518 km/h) at lower altitudes and Mach.76 to.78 (505-520 kt/ 580-600mph / 930-970 km/h) at 30,000 feet (9,144 m). It has a max cruise speed of Mach.82 (547 kt / 628 mph/ 1,011 km/h) and a max speed of Mach.84 (569 kt/ 644 mph/1,036 km/h). The significant 9.6 psi pressurization difference that keeps the cabin at 6,000 feet when the plane is flying at 45,000 feet is due to the strength to weight ratio of carbon.

FLIGHT DECK – HAWKER 4000
Honeywell’s Primus Epic integrated electronic flight deck and Honeywell’s cabin-management system were used for the first time on the 4000. Some of the aircraft’s controls, such as the rudder and spoiler-ons, are controlled by fly-by-wire. Raytheon chose not to equip the 4000 with forward-edge wing slats as a cost-cutting measure, and the jet’s runway performance suffers as a result. Full authority automatic throttle, moving map displays, and vertical navigation are all provided by the aircraft’s avionics equipment.A Primus Epic flight control and flight management system are among the flight deck systems. A dual VHF omnidirectional radio navigation system, dual distance measuring equipment, dual inertial navigation system, dual global positioning system, an electronic ground proximity warning system, a TCAS II terrain collision avoidance system, and a Primus 880 color weather radar comprise the navigation suite.Five 8in x 10in (203mm x 254mm) color liquid crystal panels and two smaller multi-function displays are installed on the flight deck. Two primary flight displays, two multi-function displays, and an Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System are among the huge LCDs (EICAS). The Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite on board the plane is set up using a virtual backplane network architecture. Replacement avionics components are housed in a cupboard behind the co-seat. Pilots can utilize cursor control, touch pad, light pen, joystick, trackball, or on-screen touch key system are all options for interacting with the avionics system. For demisting and anti-icing, an embedded electrically conductive coating is installed on the flight deck windscreen and passenger compartment windows.

CHARTER A HAWKER 4000
The Hawker 4000 is one of the most rare business jets still on the market. Every AvGeek will snap their neck every time they see one of these touchdowns as it’s akin to seeing a unicorn. These impressive aircraft are incredibly spacious and well-equipped for coast to coast or even transatlantic flights. As these jets are rare, they are tough to come by on the charter market, if you get the chance to fly in one be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. You’ll surely never forget it. CharterJets Inc. features the newest and highest safety rated Hawker 4000’s available. Reach out today to discuss your upcoming travel!