Celebrations Slated For Completion Of 100th Wing As Well

More than 250 Raytheon Aircraft employees associated with the Beechcraft Premier I celebrated the completion of the program’s 100th composite fuselage in Wichita (KS) recently. In a ceremony held in the company’s Plant Three Composite Center of Excellence, employees marked the milestone with festivities that included pop, cookies, speeches and a group send-off of the fuselage to Plant Four, where it will soon join the Beechcraft Premier I assembly line. A similar celebration will be held at the company’s Salina (KS) facility upon the completion of the 100th wing.

Jim Funk, Director – Composite Operations, told the gathering that they are participants in a significant portion of the company’s history, and in a larger sense, general aviation history. "This is the first FAA-certified business jet with a full composite fuselage," he said. “Your efforts, your innovation, made this happen.  When all business jets are made from composites, historians will point to Beechcraft airplanes as groundbreaking pioneers.”

Bill Patterson, Director – Premier I program, added, “It’s fitting in this 100th year of flight that we produce the 100th example of the fastest, roomiest and most sophisticated entry-level jets in the world.”

The milestone Premier I has added historical significance as part of another 100th anniversary.  Olive Ann Beech, co-founder of Beech Aircraft Corp. in 1932, and who ran the company until 1980, was born on Sept. 25, 1903.  The 100th Premier I will feature stylized Beechcraft “B” logos on the headrests, and a commemorative decal near the cabin door in honor of Mrs. Beech’s 100th birthday.

The 100th Beechcraft Premier I also has several enhancements from the original design, including a sound abatement package that brings cabin sound levels equal to or less than competitive aircraft.  The Premier I composite fuselage, which is less than one inch thick, allows for a cabin space of 315 cubic feet and height of 65 inches – 35 percent larger than competitive aircraft.  The fuselage contains no rivets, allowing the jet to fly with less drag.  It is lighter, stronger and less dense than traditional metal fuselages.  The epoxy resins are highly resistant to water, fuel, oil, anti-freeze and most other solvents used in the aviation business.

These attributes allow the Premier I to offer 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.raytheonaircraft.com