Hawker 125 Series Commemorates 50 Years at the Forefront of Aviation Evolution

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Hawker 125 midsize business jet series. The Hawker 125 – one of the world’s first business jets – completed its maiden flight on Aug. 13, 1962, in the form of the Hawker Siddeley DH125 Jet Dragon and the first delivery took place nearly two years later on Sept. 10, 1964. Nearly 1,700 Hawker 125-series aircraft have been produced throughout the last 50 years.

“The Hawker 125 series is one of the most iconic business aircraft in the industry and we are proud to be celebrating such a momentous milestone in the program’s history,” said Ron Gunnarson, vice president, Hawker Marketing. “Its unique design allows for travelers to fly with absolute freedom, negating the need presented by some aircraft to sacrifice fuel, number of passengers or baggage when embarking on a flight. This, coupled with the 125 series’ renowned range, speed and comfort, makes it easy to see why the series has enjoyed so much success for five decades.”

The Hawker 125 series’ success continues today. According to data recently released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), HBC delivered 34 percent of all 2011 aircraft in the medium jet category. “Continual refinement based on customer feedback is the key,” Gunnarson said.

The Hawker 900XP boasts a long list of high-technology enhancements, including new fuel-efficient engines, advanced aerodynamic composite winglets, digital cabin pressurization, auto-throttles, synthetic vision, enhanced vision, LED lighting, satellite weather and communications, and wireless cabin entertainment options. These advanced systems seamlessly integrate with a strong airframe with an unbeatable reputation. The Hawker 900XP offers unmatched cabin comfort, increased performance, range and efficiency at an unprecedented value.

The company will hold a series of special flights and activities to mark this milestone occasion, including a gala reception on Aug. 13 at the London Science Museum in Kensington, when aircraft owners from around the world will gather following the London Olympics to join in the celebration.

“With the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in London taking place the day before the anniversary, there couldn’t be a better way for the series to ring in this anniversary,” said Sean McGeough, HBC president, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. “The 125 series has a very proud British tradition, with the majority of parts being manufactured in the UK, and we expect to see a large number of variants of the 125 series flying into London’s airports throughout the Games.”

HBC is displaying the Hawker 900XP at this week’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, along with seven other aircraft from its product lineup.

Hawker Beechcraft is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.