Platform For Military Multi-Engine Pilot Training Program

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) announced the delivery of the tenth Beechcraft King Air B200-series aircraft to Serco as a multi-engine trainer. The new King Air B200GT supplements the existing fleet of seven King Air B200s and two King Air B200GTs aircraft to meet an increased demand for military multi-engine pilots within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

"The King Air is a very capable and flexible, special mission platform, easily completing annual utilization rates in excess of 750 hours, even in the demanding military pilot training role for the UK MoD," said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International Government Business. "The partnership between HBC, the service provider Serco and the end customer of the UK MoD has been key to the program's continued success and represents a template for a wide range of similar special mission activities around the globe."

A worldwide service provider, Serco Defence, Science and Technology is responsible for providing the King Air aircraft to the UK MoD as part of a partnership lease program. The delivery of the tenth King Air B200-series aircraft to the Royal Air Force is mirrored by the delivery of the first of four King Air 350ER maritime aircraft for use with the Royal Navy in the rear crew training role. These aircraft are the first new platforms purchased by the UK MoD as part of the future Military Flying Training System.

File Photo

The B200GT is the latest version of the King Air B200-series aircraft. It has an updated glass cockpit and new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 engines, which provide higher cruise speeds and faster climb rates than previous models.

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com