Story ID: 
Nextant Flight Testing Beechjet Avionics Upgrade
By: Chad Trautvetter
Caption: Richmond Heights, Ohio-based Nextant Aerospace announced today that it has completed the initial certification flight for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP Ro
Word Count: 188
Richmond Heights, Ohio-based Nextant Aerospace announced today that it has completed the initial certification flight for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 flight deck upgrade. The company said it is on schedule for FAA STC approval for the Pro Line 21 upgrade in October, with installations and deliveries to follow immediately. Nextant has already begun securing installation slots for the avionics upgrade, which brings future airspace capabilities, safety and reliability to earlier-generation flight decks, along with reduced pilot workload, maintenance and weight. Base price for the three-display Pro Line 21 upgrade is $390,000, including installation. Additional options include a fourth LCD display, integrated flight information system (IFIS) and XM satellite radar. The Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade is part of the complete 400Next program, which also includes replacing the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP’s existing Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D engines with Fadec-equipped Williams International FJ44-3AP engines. The 400Next will be offered as a remanufactured serially produced aircraft for less than $5 million (airframe included), as well as a package modification retrofit program. STC approval for the Williams engines is expected early next year.