Photograph:
The first Australian example, a 400XTi, VH-OVS (c/n RK-239/17), at Essendon VIC in early 2014 (Gordon Reid)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business jet / air ambulance
Power Plant:
Two 3,050 lbst Williams FJ44-3AP turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.26 m (43 ft 6 in)
- Length: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
- Height: 4.24 m (13 ft 11 in)
- High speed cruising speed: 872 km/h (542 mph)
- Long-range cruising speed: 750 km/h (466 mph)
- Take-off field length: 1,165 m (3,821 ft)
- Landing distance: 883 m (2,898 ft)
- Single engine climb rate: 258 m/min (845 ft/min)
- Range with four passengers: 3,710 km (2,305 miles)
- Max range: 4,000 km (2,484 miles)
- Time to climb to 11,278 m (37,000 ft): 16 mins
- Max ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
- Engine out service ceiling: 8,839 m (29,000 ft)
- Empty weight: 7,484 kg (16,500 lb)
- Loaded weight: 7,394 kg (16,300 lb)
- Basic operating weight: 4,898 kg (10,800 lb)
- Max payload: 998 kg (2,200 lb)
- Useful load: 2,585 kg (5,700 lb)
- Max fuel capacity: 2,228 kg (4,912 lb)
History:
In recent years Nextant Aerospace of Cleveland, Ohio, has been re-manufacturing Beech 400 business jets. The Company was founded in 2007 and was the first company to introduce the concept of re-manufacturing business jets. Its first product was the 400XT, a modified and modernised Beech 400A/XP, fitting it with new Williams FJ44-3AP with Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) and a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics suite. Other changes include the overhauling and replacing of items, these including all life-limited components returned to zero time status by replacement or overhaul, Schedules A, B, C and D inspections completed and replacement of all new primary wiring harnesses.
A series of alternative seating configurations is available, a Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system, entertainment equipment, LED lighting and Internet and satellite phone access. The upgrade is said to increase range by 50%, improves fuel efficiency by 32%, reduces climb times by one-third, and operating costs by 29%. The first aircraft converted flew in March 2010 and certification was received from the FAA in October 2011. An order was received for 40 conversions from Flight Options LLC.
In the VIP role it can be fitted with a three-seat divan and four-seat club seating, new acoustic insulation, an APU independent of ground support for the air-conditioning, a new lavatory and a full-service galley. Accommodation is available for a crew of two with up to eight or 10 passengers.
The 400XT can be fitted out for special mission work quickly, particularly as an Air Ambulance, a seat rail adaptation allowing the aircraft to be converted from VIP configuration to a full ACLS capable ambulance in less than 30 minutes, the equipment including a manual loading system, unit and stretcher, stretcher bridge with mounting poles, equipment table, oxygen bottle, inverter etc.
The type is marketed in Australia by Nextant Pacific, the first example, a 400XTi being placed on the Australian civil aircraft register on 18 December 2013. This aircraft, VH-OVS² (c/n RK-239/17 – N868JL, N485FL, [N421LX] N785TA), was sold to CareFlight Ltd and took up duties at Darwin, NT being operated by BAS (Business Aviation Services) for CareFlight. Nextant in early 2014 announced, in addition to re-manufacturing Beech 400 business jets, it would re-manufacture King Air G90XT turboprops which would be fitted with General Electric H75 engines and a Garmin G1000 Avionics suite.
On 19 September 2014 Nextant announced a 400 XTi quick change air ambulance had been sold to Skyline Aviation for CareJet ambulance services, this aircraft being delivered in December 2014. It was imported to New Zealand, becoming ZK-NXJ (c/n RK-210 – ex N111CX) to Skyline Aviation of Napier on 25 February 2015.