Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 4,660 lbst Honeywell TFE731-5BR turbofans

Specifications:

History:

Following the success of the Hawker Siddeley HS-125 series over the years British Aerospace, which acquired the interests of Hawker Siddeley, announced the launch of two new models, the Models 800 and 1000, the prototype of the new series, the British Aerospace 125-800 featuring a number of improvements over its predecessor, the BAe 125-700, these including a re-designed curved windscreen, extended fin leading-edge, a larger ventral fuel tank, increased wingspan and re-design of the outer wing panels. The new model also had Garrett TFE731-5R-1H turbofans, Collins EFIS-85 avionics, and a new interior.  Certification of the new model in the United Kingdom and the United States was awarded in May and June 1984 respectively.

In 1989 British Aerospace launched the 125-900 as a long-range development of the 125-800, this aircraft later becoming known as the 125-1000 as there was already a Dassault Falcon 900, changes including a stretch of the fuselage by 0.84 m (2 ft 9 in), a larger cabin, modified wing, increased fuel capacity, some changes to the structure and systems to meet then new FAR and JAR certification requirements, and new Pratt & Whitney PW305 turbofans each rated at 5,225 lbst. The first development aircraft was flown on 16 June 1990 and certification in the US and UK was granted in October 1991. The Raytheon Hawker 1000 is a larger member of the range, being optimised to have a crew of two and standard seating for eight, although up to 15 may be carried. This model is identified by having a stretched fuselage and seven main cabin windows compared to six in the 800.

In 1993 Raytheon acquired British Aerospace Corporate Jets Ltd and began marketing the series as the Hawker 800. Development continued, a new model known as the Raytheon 850XP being certified on 3 February 2006. This model had a crew of two and typically carried eight passengers, with a maximum of 13. Powered by two Honeywell 731-5BR turbofans of 4,660 lbst it had a max speed of 827 km/h (514 mph) and with four passengers and a crew of two had a range of 4,894 km (3,041 miles). First example of this model registered in this region was obtained by the Queensland Government. A variant of the 800 was supplied to the Japan Self Defence Force as the U125A, of which 27 were supplied for search and rescue, having a 360 degree search radar, forward looking infra-red system and capability to drop rescue equipment.

Examples of this series have also been operated here, including model 800Bs: VH-III (c/n 258002 – ex VH-CCC [ntu]) operated by Skywest Airlines, Kilchoan Ltd, and ANZ Aviation Services before becoming VH-NJM in July 1993, being exported in May 1994 as G-DCCC; VH-SGY (c/ n 258019 – ex VH-SGJ [ntu]) operated by the Queensland Government, later with the Bureau of Emergency Services as VH-LKV before being exported in July 1991 as N900MD; VH-IXL (c/n 258040) operated by Carlton & United Breweries from October 1985 to March 1991 when it was exported as G-5-697; VH-NMR (c/n 258058) operated from December 1988 to June 1989 by the NSCA (Victoria Division), before bding exported as N125JW; and VH-XMO (c/n 258243) operated by Southern Commander from March 1996 to May 2000 when it was exported to Canada as C-GSCL.

Development of the series continued to the 850XP, certification of this model being announced on 2 March 2006. It is fitted with Raytheon Aircraft designed winglets. This variant was described as the next evolution of the 800 series and was part of a strategically planned sequence of upgrades for the Hawker fleet that began with the Hawker 400XP in May of 2003.  Typical seating was for two pilots and eight passengers.

Model 800XPs have included VH-ELJ (c/n 258281) operated by BHP Australia Coal from November 1995 to July 1998 when it was exported as N281XP; VH-LAW (c/n 258295) operated by McRoss Developments from August 1996, becoming VH-LAT with Walker Corporation in November 2003, then operating with Prime Aviation from July 2004, registration being changed to VH-KEF; VH-SGY (c/n 258328) owned by the Queensland Treasury Corp from December 1997 and operated for the Queensland Government. Examples of the 850XP have also been imported, the first for the Queensland Government, a further aircraft becoming VH-MZY (c/n 258807) in December 2006 as a demonstrator for Hawker Pacific Ltd of Milperra, NSW. Model 1000B VH-LMP (c/n 259022) was operated by Jet Systems Pty Ltd from July 1992, later going to Boston LHF Pty Ltd.

One of the first of the series registered in New Zealand was BA-125-800B ZK-RJI (c/n 258082) in October 1987 for Cory-Wright & Salmon Ltd of Wellington, followed by ZK-EUI (c/n 258058), an 800B series, which operated for a short period and was exported to Australia as VH-NMR. Further examples have since been imported. The 800 series was introduced in 1993 after Raytheon took over the Corporate Jets Division of British Aerospace, production at that time being transferred to Wichita in Kansas, USA. Production of this model, which reached more than 360 examples, continued in the 850XP (extended performance) variant.

A new development of the series was the Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, this being an improvement of the 800 series with an increased payload capability, enhanced performance and upgraded systems, being powered by Honeywell Aerospace TFE 731-50R turbofan engines, this model being launched at the NBAA convention in October 2006, US certification being received in October 2007 and deliveries beginning in 2008. The first of this model registered became VH-ACE (c/n HA-0049) to Remorex Pty Ltd of West Perth, WA in May 2008, being followed by VH-NKD (c/n 0064) imported for Tatary Pty Ltd of Belmont, WA.