Aircraft remanufacturing expert Nextant Aerospace, which offers the 400XTi, G90XT and Challenger 604XT, has merged with Air Services to launch a new program for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP. Air Services’ expertise lies in component repair and overhaul, composite manufacturing and repair and PMA capabilities.
“The severe decline in value for young, pre-owned inventory has placed an overwhelming focus on value for aircraft owners and operators,” said Stephen Maiden, CEO of Nextant’s parent company, Constant Aviation.
“The cornerstone of our brand has always been to deliver fully integrated product solutions, but now, we are going to look for new and creative ways to lessen the financial burden to operators while still providing long-term pathways to a complete remanufactured product.”
“The 400XTi program has been extremely successful, with more than 70 deliveries to 13 countries,” said Mark O’Donnell, who will now run Nextant’s day-to-day operations. “While we believe that is the right end game for the Beechjet airframe, we understand that not everyone is able to justify the US$3m required for the 400XTi conversion.
“With this in mind, we have created a program that allows operators to take the first step of upgrading their cockpit technology to meet the pending regulatory mandates and obsolescence issues they are facing and we have combined it with an industry-first TBO extension that allows the overhaul interval for the Pratt and Whitney engines to increase to 5,400 hours.
“This extremely cost-effective solution (priced at just over US$500,000), allows operators to minimize capital outlays while still receiving the advanced technology benefits of the new cockpit and taking the first step toward the 400XTi.”
The STC was gained following the hiring of Jim Clifford as the company’s director of new product development. “I was very impressed with the efficiency in which he led the effort to obtain this STC,” said O’Donnell. “He brings with him a wealth of experience that will be invaluable as we continue to expand our brand in the global market.”
The Pro Line 21 cockpit upgrade includes a four-display system, Synthetic Vision, ADS-B Out, WAAS/LPV and Nextant’s glare shield modification. The program also includes a hot section and STC that increases the aircraft’s TBO interval to 5,400 hours.
June 14, 2017
