Hawker Beechcraft is the latest to announce it’s considering building aircraft in China. CEO Bill Boisture told Bloomberg the company has been negotiating with Chinese officials about a technology transfer in exchange for greater access to the Chinese market, which is expected to grow rapidly with the relaxation of airspace regulations. Hawker Beech could potentially get 20 percent of its future business from China, Boisture said.
He said talks now revolve around a possible joint venture that will start with parts manufacturing and ultimately final assembly of aircraft in China. “I’ve been there three times since the first of the year and there are serious discussions about potential joint ventures,” Boisture said. Among the considerations for a Chinese business jet is making it easier to fly, he said. The company is already working with Rockwell Collins, Honeywell and Garmin to develop new panels. “We have to pay attention to design and simplification of the product,” he said. “You’re going to see flat-screen displays and intuitive icons to get across the language barrier.”
