Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Company, LLC Reports 2010 First Quarter Results

Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Company, LLC (HBAC) reported higher sales and a reduced operating loss during the three months ended March 28, 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased production volume in its Trainer Aircraft segment.

Net sales for the three months ended March 28, 2010, were $568.2 million, an increase of $30.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2009. Sales in the Trainer Aircraft segment increased by $61.6 million due to an increased build rate on the Company’s JPATS contract with the U.S. Government, as well as increased production on other international contracts awarded in the second half of 2009. Partially offsetting this increase was a decline in Business and General Aviation segment sales of $32.8 million as a result of continued depressed demand in the general aviation market. During the quarter, the Company delivered 34 business and general aviation aircraft as compared to 57 during the same period in 2009.

During the three months ended March 28, 2010, the Company recorded an operating loss of $25.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $46.0 million during the first quarter of 2009. The improvement over the prior year was primarily due to the increased volume in the Trainer Aircraft segment.

Cash flow generated by operations was $8.7 million during the three months ended March 28, 2010, compared to operating cash consumed in operations of $171.2 million in the same quarter of 2009. The improved cash flow compared to the prior year was primarily due to continued reduction in inventory balances, as well as lower operating expenses across the Company. On March 28, 2010, the Company’s cash balance was $300.7 million.

Backlog was $3.1 billion on March 28, 2010, compared to $3.4 billion on December 31, 2009. Net new orders were lower than sales for the quarter, resulting in the lower backlog.

Form 10-Q and Earnings Conference Call:Additional financial information is included in the Company’s first quarter 2010 Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier today and in the attached tables. HBAC’s earnings results conference call for the three months ended March 28, 2010, will be held Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 9 a.m. CDT. To attend, register at https://cossprereg.btci.com/prereg/key.process?key=PWYER7YKC.

Once you register, you will be provided with dial-in numbers and pass codes needed to join the conference call. A recording of the earnings call will be posted to the Company’s Web site after the call and will be available for 45 days.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission 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 Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with the largest number of factory-owned service centers and a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.