The Hawker 800 series
The Hawker family of private jets have a proven track record for reliability, range and comfort that spans more than five decades. When production ended in 2013 over 1,700 aircraft (including earlier models) had been produced. Hawker 800s remain highly popular private aircraft and many have been upgraded with the latest technology to increase their longevity. Owners, operators and customers alike agree that the Hawker 800 delivers tremendous value for money when compared to other aircraft in their class.
Hawker 800. Hawker Beechcraft photo
The Hawker 800 is a mid-size, medium-range business aircraft. The world’s longest-running business jet production program, its predecessor, the Hawker Siddeley 125, was designed and built in the UK beginning in the early 1960s when British designs arguably lead the civil aircraft industry. The HS 125 (then later the British Aerospace 125) was still being built in late 1990s when production was assumed by Beechcraft-Hawker in the U.S.
Hawker 850XP
The Hawker 850XP features a redesigned interior
The most popular model, the HS-125 -800 and subsequent variants were produced between 1983 and 2013. The -800 features an increased wingspan, a visibly streamlined nosecone, increased fuel capacity, and upgraded engines. It was the first business aircraft to incorporate an electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) which replaces traditional gauges in the flight deck with flat panel displays. In 1995 the -800XP variant was introduced with more powerful engines, increased range, and a new cockpit technologies. Models built from 2006 onward became known as the -850XP and feature fuel saving/ range improving winglets as well as other enhancements. Many earlier model 800s have also since been upgraded with winglets to improve their performance. Built tough, a little known fact about the Hawker 800 series includes its distinction as one of the only business aircraft currently approved to land on both gravel and grass runways.
As an older design the Hawker 800 may not have the widest or most comfortable mid-size jet cabin but it competes favorably with the Lear 60, and Gulfstream’s G-150. The Hawker will also charter out at lower average hourly rates than these jets, and still be capable of near- transcontinental range depending on the winds. The aircraft’s design and performance allow it to operate full off of shorter runways even in warmer weather when other aircraft take penalties. The last upgrade to the Hawker 800 was offered as the Hawker 900 prior to the end of production. The Hawker 750 is a development of the 800 series and features a larger baggage compartment.
Beechcraft Hawker 800XP, 900XP / 850XP
Passengers (typical): 8
Cabin Height: 5.8 ft
Cabin Width: 6.0 ft
Cabin Length: 21.3 ft
Baggage total: 50 cu ft
Average Cruising Speed: 427 KTAS / 410 KTAS
Max Cruising Altitude: 41,000 ft
Full Passenger Range: Up to 2,733 NM
Lavatory: Yes
Galley: Yes