HAWKER 4000 (HORIZON) MODEL

The Hawker 4000 super mid-size business jet, developed by Raytheon Aircraft Company, is the largest in the Hawker family. Originally known as Hawker Horizon prior to November 2005, it features an all-composite fuselage and swept aluminum wing design. It made its first flight on August 11, 2001, and official debut in November 2005 when a development aircraft was displayed at the National Business Aviation Association convention.

The 4000 can seat eight to twelve passengers. The eight-seat cabin holds four pairs of club chairs with writing tables. The aircrafts carbon composite construction gives it more interior space than many jets in its class. This composite construction also makes the aircraft much lighter than a standard aluminum structure, allowing a maximum range of 3,445 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The aircrafts avionics system provides full authority automatic throttle, moving map displays and vertical navigation. The cabin air conditioning and pressurization system is digitally controlled, which can significantly improve passenger comfort when gas becomes trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, middle ear and paranasal sinuses.

The US Federal Aviation Administration granted the Hawker 4000 type certification in December 2004. Shortly after, the first aircraft was delivered to Jack DeBoer, a businessman from Kansas. Final type certification was given on November 21, 2006 and production deliveries are scheduled to begin in September 2007. As of March 2007, a total of more than 130 aircraft have been ordered. Customers include the Jordan Grand Prix Racing Team, Flight Options LLC and NetJets. NetJets placed a contract for 50 aircraft in December 2005, the largest single commercial order in the history of Raytheon Aircraft. Deliveries will begin by the end of 2007 through 2013. In May 2007, NetJets Europe ordered 32 aircraft which are slated for delivery between 2008 and 2016.