Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 4,300 lbst Garrett TFE731-5R-1H turbofans

Specifications:

History:

The de Havilland DH-125 series was intended as a jet-engined replacement for the de Havilland DH-104 Dove executive aircraft, the project being announced in February 1961. Subsequently the series went from strength to strength and by May 1985 600 examples of the series had been produced and it had become Britain’s best-selling civil jet aircraft.

The Series 800 was launched in 1983, work on the new model being commencing in 1980, this model being fitted with 4,300 lbst Garrett TFE731-5R engines. It had a new wing design of increased span with modified ailerons, a re-designed forward fuselage with larger cockpit windows, a re-profiled nose to improve its appearance and a simplified fuel system of increased capacity, fuel being placed in the wings and in a ventral tank. This series was the first business jet fitted with the Honeywell SPZ-8000 system in the cockpit. Range had now been increased to 4,630 km (2,877 miles).

Originally known as the British Aerospace 125-800 Series it became known as the Hawker 800. Variants included the C-29A, which was delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1990-1991, being equipped with an LTV Sierra automatic flight inspection system for checking navigation aids, these aircraft later being taken over by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The U-125A was a modified search-and-rescue variant for the Japanese Self Defence Force.

The 800SP was a variant fitted out by Aviation Partners with winglets for reduced drag and fuel consumption, the first of these flying in 2001.

The 800XP was the extended performance model produced from 1995, these being produced after Raytheon took over the Company. They were fitted with 4,660 lbst Garrett TFE731-5BR turbofans and had improved climb and hot/high airfield performance. These aircraft had thrust reversers as standard equipment, modified aileron gearing, wing ‘Vortilons’ and a new glass cockpit.

The 800 XP1 was an upgraded variant of the 800XP introduced in 2005 with enhanced avionics and cabin furnishings.

The 850XP had blended winglets designed by Hawker for reduced drag and fuel consumption, a greater range, improved climb performance, and an increase in the wingspan by 0.91 m (3 ft). This model was introduced in November 2005 and 114 examples were delivered.

Further models have continued to be delivered, including the Series 1000 (dealt with separately); the Series 750, being a light mid-size variant; and the longer range series 900XP, the latter two models being introduced to the market in October 2006, being developed from the 800 Series.

The 750 was basically an 800XP without the winglets, with the ventral fuel tank deleted and with a range of 3,890 km (2,417 miles). The removal of the ventral fuel tank permitted the aircraft to have a heated, externally-accessible luggage compartment.

The 900XP combined the airframe, operating weights and systems of the 850XP with new generation Garrett TFE731-50 engines which provided a reduction in fuel consumption.

Examples of the Series 800 operated in this region have included an 800XP VH-ELJ (c/n 258281) which was registered to BHP Australia Coal on 22 November 1995 and was exported on 24 July 1998 as N281XP.

An  800XP VH-LAW (c/n 258295) was registered to McRoss Developments Pty Ltd on 23 August 1996. It became VH-LAT to Walker Corporation on 26 July 2004 and ownership was transferred to Prime Aviation Pty Ltd. It was re-registered VH-KEF² to Prime Aviation on 9 August 2004, becoming VH-ELJ² in November 2008.

VH-SGY5 (c/n 258780), an 850XP, was registered to the Queensland Treasury Corporation on 16 December 1997 for operation by the Queensland Government.

VH-III (c/n 258002), an 800B, was registered to Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd on 1 July 1986. Other operators included Kilchoan Ltd and ANZ Aviation Services. It was exported in January 1993 as G-DCCC, but returned as VH-NJM to National Jet Systems Pty Ltd on 30 July 1993, again being exported on 13 May 1994 as G-DCCC.

VH-SGY² (c/n 131284), an Series 800B, was the first Series 800 aircraft owned by the Queensland Government. It was taken over by the Bureau of Emergency Services of Queensland in June 1990, becoming VH-LKV on 22 January 1991. It was exported as N900MD on 1 July 1991.

VH-IXL (c/n 258040), an 800B, was registered to Carlton United Breweries Ltd on 25 October 1984 but was exported on 13 March 1991 as G-5-697.

VH-NMR (c/n 258058), an 800B, was registered on 14 December 1988 for the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA), Victoria Division but was exported on 15 June 1989 as N125JW.

VH-XMO (c/n 258243), an 800B, was registered on 14 December 1988 to Southern Commander Pty Ltd, being operated by Shell, which was exported as C-GSCL on 16 May 2000.

VH-VRC (c/n 258295), an 800XP, was registered to Sunshine Air Services of Mount Waverley, VIC.

VH-RIU (c/n 258723), an 800XP1, was registered to SC Aviation of Osborne Park, WA.

VH-OVE (c/n 258366), an 800XP2, was registered to Asia Pacific Jets of Singapore and operated by AP Jets of Artarmon, NSW.

VH-RIO (c/n 358954), an 850XP, was registered to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Western Operations at Jandakot, WA.

VH-MQY (c/n 258807), also an 850XP, was registered to GE Finance Australasia and operated by Nantay Pty Ltd.