Story ID: 
Nextant Rolls Out Incremental 400XTi Conversion
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Rather than taking on the full conversion at one time, Nextant Aerospace is now offering a step-by-step process.
Word Count: 269
Acknowledging that the full $3 million cost of a Beech 400A/Hawker 400XP conversion to the Nextant 400XTi may be too large a chunk for some of its customers to tackle at once, aircraft remanufacturer Nextant Aerospace has launched an incremental upgrade program. Clients can first receive a four-display Pro Line 21 cockpit retrofit with synthetic vision, ADS-B out, WAAS/LPV and the Nextant glareshield modification to meet the looming regulatory mandates.

“This extremely cost-effective solution [priced at about $500,000], allows operators to minimize capital outlays while still receiving the advanced technology benefits of the new cockpit and taking the first step towards the 400XTi,” said Mark O’Donnell, the company's executive vice president. He dded that the program also includes a hot section and STC TBO extension for the existing Pratt & Whitney powerplants, increasing the overhaul interval to 5,400 hours.

Nextant Aerospace has also merged with fellow Constant Aviation subsidiary Air Services, an off-wing service provider specializing in component repair and overhaul, PMA capability and composite manufacturing and repair. The move will bring those services in-house at the Cleveland-based company.

Stephen Maiden, CEO of Constant Aviation, said, “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 move adds approximately 150,000 sq ft of shop space to the remanufacturing processes. Mark O’Donnell, an original Nextant staff member who had moved to Air Services, will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the combined company as executive vice president, reporting directly to Maiden.