A Beechcraft Premier I bizjet flew halfway across the country on a business trip, established a new speed record and symbolically landed on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier -– all in one day.

The business trip carried Raytheon Aircraft Chief Operating Officer Bob Horowitz from Wichita (KS) to Norfolk (VA). The Beechcraft Premier I flew out of Wichita, crossed a navigational fix at 4:45 a.m. (CST), then raced across the Eastern U.S. skies. At exactly 6:36 a.m. (CST), it crossed the Norfolk navigational fix. Total trip time: 1 hour, 51 minutes. Average speed for the 1,152-mile trip: a blazing 639 miles per hour.

"The flight was an opportunity to convert our published performance numbers into an enduring record, one that would underline what it means to be the best-performing entry jet in the world," said Horowitz, who is also president of the Beechcraft Division. "We also wanted a special way to thank the Navy for the opportunity to visit the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), which launched the first strike in Operation Enduring Freedom."

Upon arriving on the aircraft carrier on a Navy C2 flown by Cdr. Andy Alford, Commanding Officer of Logistics Support Squadron 40, Horowitz presented the carrier’s commanding officer, Capt. Richard O’Hanlon, a composite picture -– specially created with computer magic for the visit -– of the Beechcraft Premier I landing on an aircraft carrier, tailhook extended, ready to catch the third wire.

"Captain O’Hanlon loved the picture," Horowitz said. "He was especially pleased that the picture was accompanied by a card from all 8,500 Beechcrafters around the world to the men and women of the Theodore Roosevelt, expressing support for the TR’s impending deployment."

Raytheon Aircraft has submitted the trip statistics to the National Aeronautic Association -- the national authority for overseeing and certifying aviation records -- in the category Class C-I.E (6,164-13,338 lbs.) Group III (jet engine).

Feature-Packed and Fast

Raytheon notes, "The Beechcraft Premier I offers unmatched guaranteed performance with a maximum speed of 451 KTAS (835 km/h). With full fuel, a pilot and three passengers, the Premier I has a 1,450-nm range. The Premier I is powered by two Williams/Rolls FJ44-2A engines. The entire aircraft is built with fewer parts than competitive jets for higher maintainability and reliability."

FMI: www.raytheon.com