Hawker Beechcraft Services Chester Facility Sees Increased Demand for Special Mission Conversions, Delivers First VIP/Medevac Hawker 900XP

In an effort to meet the increased demand for jet/special mission conversions, Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) today announced that its Hawker Beechcraft Services facility in Chester, United Kingdom, has developed and certified air ambulance interiors for installation in Hawker 900, 800 and 700 series aircraft. The facility recently delivered its first modified medical evacuation (Medevac) conversion Hawker 900XP midsize jet to a customer in Saudi Arabia. The conversion enables the aircraft to quickly switch between business and medical support flights.

The facility was recently tasked with taking a VIP configuration of its Hawker 900XP best-selling midsize business jet – which can fly up to 5,200 kilometres with eight passengers – and design a system enabling it to undergo a role change from VIP to Medevac when needed. The key requirements were for this role change to be made in less than an hour to keep aircraft downtime to a minimum and allow quick response to medical requirements, as well as ensure that the aesthetics of the VIP layout were not compromised. The conversion was successfully completed in just two months and received full approval from both the European Aviation Safety Authority and the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before being delivered to the customer.

“This was a very demanding request and our team in Chester responded successfully with the design and implementation of a highly-integrated system that fully met the customer’s requirements,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “With our center of technical excellence in Chester, we expect to be delivering many similar conversions in the region over the coming years.”

The Hawker Beechcraft Chester facility was chosen because of its experience and knowledge of the Hawker platform. The facility has been modifying Hawker 900, 800 and 700 series aircraft for nearly 50 years.

Hawker Beechcraft has a long history in Medevac production, having manufactured nearly 40 percent of all airplanes currently registered to air ambulance operators around the globe – almost twice as many as the next manufacturer. The majority are King Air and Hawker 900, 800 and 700 series aircraft; however, nearly all Hawker and Beechcraft products can be converted to air ambulance and completed at the company’s factory-owned service centers.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Global Customer Support is dedicated to improving the value of Hawker Beechcraft aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of five functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers), Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications) and Global Mission Support (government business and special mission maintenance/training support).

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 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.