Hawker 900XP
The Hawker 800XP, a revision of the Hawker 800 with different engines and avionics, developed into the Hawker 850XP, a virtually identical model with winglets. After a successful track record of reliability, high performance, and consistent sales, the $13.775 million Hawker 850XP is being replaced by two close relatives, the Hawker 750 and the Hawker 900XP.
The Hawker 900XP keeps many of the distinguishing features of the 850XP, such as the winglets, ProLine 21 avionics, and cabin design, but uses different engines. The new engines allow it to climb to 37,000 feet in 17 minutes, cruise at 448 ktas, and fly up to 2,818 nautical miles with four passengers. It is slated to compete with other midsized private jets, such as the Gulfstream G150.
The Hawker 900XP’s advantage over its predecessor can be attributed to its TFE731-50R engines, flat-rated to 4,660 pounds of thrust each. Although they produce the same amount of thrust as the TFE731-5BR models used on the Hawker 850XP, they burn less fuel and require maintenance much less often. The inspection interval for the Hawker 900XP’s engines is 6,000 cycles, a marked improvement over the 4,200 cycle inspection interval of the engines on the Hawker 850XP.
These engines provide the 900XP with the power needed to take off in 5,032 feet at sea level under standard conditions, and in 7,795 feet on a runway at 5,000 feet with a temperature of 77°F – a small improvement over the 850XP’s hot/high runway performance. The Hawker 900XP can climb to 37,000 feet in 17 minutes (2 minutes faster than the Hawker 850XP), but cruises at the same speeds as its predecessor: 402 ktas for long range trips, and 448 ktas for high-speed operations.
The Hawker 900XP’s main asset is its range, enough to fly nonstop between any two city pairs in the US. Comparisons between the Hawker 900XP and the Hawker 850XP consistently show the 900XP to be able to fly further than its predecessor. For example, on a mission with four passengers and required NBAA IFR reserves, the Hawker 900XP can fly up to 2,818 nautical miles, about 200 miles more than the Hawker 850XP would be capable of. The Hawker 900XP outstrips the Hawker 850XP in range by roughly same margin on a mission with both private jets loaded with their maximum payload and available fuel.
When range is held constant, the Hawker 900XP shows itself to be more fuel-efficient and faster than the Hawker 850XP. On a 1,000 mile trip with four passengers, crew, and required NBAA IFR reserves, the Hawker 900XP would burn 4,218 pounds of fuel. This is about 170 pounds less than the Hawker 850’s fuel consumption of 4,387 pounds. The 900XP would complete such a trip in 2 hours and 19 minutes, slightly under the Hawker 850XP’s flight time of 2 hours and 22 minutes.
Some areas of the Hawker 900XP which remain entirely unchanged are still worth mentioning, particularly the cabin. The 604 cubic-foot cabin is built to match each client’s preferences. Multiple seating options are available, including a high-density 15-passenger layout, but most buyers opt for an 8-passenger design. The cabin stretches to 21.3 feet long, 5.7 feet high and 6 feet wide. 50 cubic feet of baggage can be stored in interior compartments. The cabin includes a full galley, an enclosed lav, a touch-screen Airshow 21 cabin entertainment system, power outlets, LED lighting, and two-zone temperature control.
In the end, the real difference between the Hawker 850XP and the 900XP is the choice of engines. The upgrade to the TFE731-50R model results in an increase in range, less frequent inspection intervals, and a modest improvement in fuel burn. So far the Hawker 900XP has proven to be highly attractive to buyers, including NetJets, which placed an order for 18 Hawker 900XPs. Deliveries for the $14.29 million private jet are expected to begin in 2008.