Aviation News
Beechcraft Premier I Smashes Two Existing Citation Speed RecordsLAS VEGAS (Oct. 12, 2004) -- The world's fastest single-pilot business jet, the Beechcraft Premier I, is rewriting the record books for this year's NBAA convention in Las Vegas.
With former astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson at the controls, along with Raytheon Aircraft chief pilot Trevor Blackmer, the Beechcraft Premier I recently shattered two existing Cessna Citation world speed records to and from Las Vegas.
Starting in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 22, the Premier I flew directly to Las Vegas in 1:44:09, with a blazing average speed of 499 mph. The previous record for the 866-statute mile trip was set by a Citation 550 with an average 364-mph speed, taking approximately 2:20 – 36 minutes slower than the Premier I.
That afternoon, the Premier I blew past the existing Las Vegas-to-Wichita record by covering the 995-statute mile distance in only 1:49:12. That was more than one hour under the existing Citation 550 record of approximately 2:55, and flown at an average speed of 547 mph, versus 340 mph for the Cessna 550.
"The Beechcraft Premier I's speed and handling qualities are exceptional," said Gibson, a former Space Shuttle astronaut who now competes in Unlimited Class air racing at Reno, Nev. "I can see why Premier I owners consider this to be the pinnacle of single-pilot travel. Nothing else comes close."
Beechcraft President Randy Groom said having Gibson at the controls was a natural fit.
"I've always called the Premier a ‘rocket with room' with its speed and spacious composite fuselage," Groom said. "Hoot Gibson has flown fighter jets, racing airplanes and a true rocket -- the Space Shuttle. He confirms what we've known all along – the Beechcraft Premier I is unmatched in today's marketplace."
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).
The six-passenger Premier I is the first composite-fuselage business jet. This state-of-the-art construction method, combined with a metal swept wing, provides faster cruise speed, better altitude performance, superior handling and a cabin size that is seven inches taller and eight inches wider than competitive entry-level business jets.
The Premier I offers unmatched guaranteed performance with a maximum speed of 451 KTAS (835 km/h). With full fuel, one 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.
Raytheon Aircraft designs, manufactures, markets and supports Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft for the world's commercial, military and regional airline markets.
Robert "Hoot" Gibson biography
Gibson is a retired astronaut, decorated Naval pilot and Vietnam veteran. He flew five NASA missions between 1979 and 1995 for a total of 36 1/2 days in space. He is a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons School, or "Top Gun," and his numerous honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Gibson's first three NASA missions included launching satellites, conducting astrophysics experiments and carrying cargo for the Department of Defense. On his forth space flight, the 50th Space Shuttle mission, he served as spacecraft commander aboard the Orbiter Endeavour. He also commanded a crew of 10 – six from the United States and four from Russia -- on Space Shuttle Mission STS-71, the first to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. While with NASA, Gibson served as Chief of the Astronaut Office, as deputy director of Flight Crew Operations and as a team investigator into the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. Gibson lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with his wife Rhea. His hobbies include building aircraft, unlimited air racing, running and surfing.
Back to the News Releases page.
|
