In addition to the Hawker 800Xpi, Raytheon announced last week another set of upgrades to one of its bizjets; this time it’s the Premier I getting the makeover treatment to become the Premier IA. The company says the Premier IA will feature a totally redesigned interior, avionics enhancements and several systems improvements, all of which are part of the Premier I’s planned evolution. We continually listen to our customers needs, and their feedback is critical to our product improvement strategy for all Beechcraft products, said President and General Manager of Beechcraft Randy Groom. With more than 100 Premier Is now flying around the world, the new Beechcraft Premier IA is a perfect example of the evolution of a tremendous aircraft, based on customer input, he added. The company said the Premier I is the largest and fastest single-pilot jet in the world. Available later this summer, the 2006-model Beechcraft Premier IA offers a more contemporary interior with more options. Features include a new contoured cabin headliner that increases passenger headroom, adjustable LED downwash lighting and repositioned passenger reading lights. Cabin chairs should be more comfortable, Raytheon said, and new seat base contouring was added for more foot room for fifth- and sixth-seat occupants. Four restyled cabinetry choices allow integration of the Collins cabin entertainment system with CD/DVD and Airshow capability. Up front, the Beechcraft Premier IAs flight deck incorporates Rockwell Collins Integrated Flight Information Systems (IFIS) into the existing Pro Line 21 (PL21) avionics suite. Additional avionics and cockpit upgrades now standard in the Premier IA include a three-display PL21 arrangement versus two-display in the Beechcraft Premier I, digital radio and audio systems and IFIS cursor control panel. The cockpit also includes improved rail-mounted sun visors and a 110-VAC laptop computer outlet.
