Hawker Beechcraft Bringing All Sales In-House For 2009

Marking the end of a 63-year relationship as one of the leading dealers of Beechcraft products, Cutter Aviation accepted delivery of the last dealer-sold Beechcraft G36 Bonanza on Tuesday, February 3 from the Hawker Beechcraft Company (HBC) in Wichita, KS.

Cutter tells ANN the delivery heralded the end of the Hawker Beechcraft dealer network era, which was dissolved at the beginning of 2009 when the planemaker decided to make all sales of new aircraft factory-direct. That move was part of efforts to increase Hawker Beech's profitability at a time when the industry is gripped by declining sales, and massive layoffs.

Finished in overall bright red with yellow and black trim, the G36 was painted to match the first Bonanza accepted by Cutter Aviation in 1946. The FAA registration "N460YR" pays tribute to Cutter Aviation's dealer standing "For Over Sixty Years."

The Bonanza was accepted and flown to Cutter Aviation Phoenix by William R. 'Bill' Cutter and Sid Cutter. The two brothers were the second generation owners of Cutter Aviation after taking over from their father William P. Cutter who founded the company in 1928. Current Cutter Aviation President and third generation Will Cutter was on hand at the delivery as well as over a dozen current and past dealers and salespeople from the Beechcraft dealer network.

"Nearly two thousand Beechcraft aircraft passed through Cutter Aviation’s doors in the time we were a dealer and we thought it appropriate to mark the end of the tradition with this Bonanza," said Will Cutter about the new aircraft. "We were there in the beginning and now were here at the very end."

Though HBC has removed all new aircraft dealership titles from the various FBOs that held them up until 2008, Cutter personnel say their business remains committed to the Beechcraft product line and looks forward to a bright future with pre-owned aircraft sales and maintenance service.

FMI: www.cutteraviation.com, www.hawkerbeechcraft.com