Hawker Beechcraft is slowing down work on its Hawker 200 light jet, the company said on Friday, citing the “fragile global economic situation.” The program has been meeting its objectives, Hawker CEO Bill Boisture said in a letter to employees, but with the timing of a recovery uncertain, “the prudent management decision is to slow the pace of the completion of the Hawker 200 certification program until indicators reflect a healthier light jet market.” He added that the company is increasing production rates for its turboprops and some of its jets to meet market demand.
The Hawker 200 program was announced in October 2010. The single-pilot jet, with new Williams engines, a composite fuselage, an updated cockpit and seats for six to eight passengers, was set to sell for about $7.5 million. Boisture said the program is “well positioned to continue … when the time is right.” Meanwhile, he added, the company will continue to evaluate new technology that might be useful for the 200 when it gets back online. Click here for an AVweb video about the jet, from NBAA 2010.
