Aviation News Item: 00932

20th Oct 2009

Source: fly-corporate.com

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and Michelin North America have developed an innovative New Bias Technology (NBT) Michelin tire with improved landing performance for Hawker series aircraft.

A cooperative effort between HBC and Michelin Aircraft Tires, the NBT tire will provide increased durability and shoulder wear, which translates into improved landing performance and reduced per-landing costs. HBC's parts and distribution organisation, RAPID, is taking orders for the tires.

The Michelin NBT tire possesses a circumferential crown reinforcement that produces a flatter footprint than those of conventional bias tires. This helps slow the overall rate of wear for a longer tire life and lower operating costs. The upgraded tire will be available on both A and B versions of the BAe 125 Series 800, as well as Hawker 750, 800XP, 850XP and 900XP models. Hawker Beechcraft Services received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the installation.

The company also named its 2009 supplier award recipients, a programme recognising outstanding HBC vendors in five categories. Rockwell Collins received top honors as the HBC Supplier of the Year. BE Aerospace's Miami Seating Division earned the title of 2009 Performance Champion, while Shackleford Machine and Shuttle Machine shared the spotlight with the Small Business Partners Award. Damping Technologies was recognized for Innovative Excellence, and High Tech Finishing and BE Aerospace's Miami Seating Division were named the 2009 Customer Service Champions.

In addition, HBC's Hawker 4000 and Beechcraft Premier IA are to be honored at the NBAA convention for world speed record flights accomplished in each aircraft earlier this year. In two separate ceremonies at the HBC static display at Orlando Executive Airport, National Aeronautics Association (NAA) officials will present the pilots of each aircraft with certificates commemorating each flight. On hand for the event will be legendary astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson, who was at the controls of the Premier IA flight.

The Premier IA ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. and the Hawker 4000 ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Representing the NAA, the national authority for overseeing and certifying aviation records, in the ceremonies will be President Jonathan Gaffney. Both speed record flights took place en route to the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in May.

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