1930’s
- Beech Aircraft Corporation is founded in 1932 by
Walter H. and Olive Ann Beech. - The first Beechcraft produced is the Model 17—the
classic Beechcraft "Staggerwing." Designed
especially for the business traveler, the airplane
proves to be faster than military pursuit airplanes
of the day and wins numerous air races. - In 1937, Beech introduces the Model 18 "Twin
Beech." This airplane is to business what the
DC-3 is to the airlines. Produced until 1970, the
33 years of continuous Model 18 production was a record
until surpassed by the Beechcraft Bonanza.
1940’s
- During World War II, more than 14,000 Beechcrafters
produce some 7,400 airplanes for the United States
and Allied armed forces. It is estimated that 90 percent
of all U.S. Army Air Corps bombardiers and navigators
are trained in AT-7 and AT-11 aircraft—derivatives
of the Beechcraft Model 18. - Following the war, in 1947, Beech introduces the Model
35 Beech Bonanza. The new Beech is a high-performance,
single-engine, business airplane. Its record for continuous
production is still lengthening.
1960’s
- In 1961, Beech introduces the Baron B55, the forerunner
of today’s Baron 58, one of the most popular owner-flown
twin-engine aircraft available. - In 1964, Beech introduces the Model 90 Beech King
Air. It quickly establishes itself as the industry
standard in corporate jetprops. Today, the various
King Air models maintain a market share of more than
90 percent in their class. - In 1968, Beech enters an expanding commuter airline
market with the Beechcraft 99 Airliner.
1970’s
- In 1974, Beech delivers the first Beech King Air 200,
which brings new standards of room, speed, and passenger
comfort to a business airplane. Beech has delivered
nearly 2,000 Model 200s in civilian and military versions. - In 1975, Beech delivers the first C-12—the military
version of the Beech Super King Air 200—to the
U.S. Army. Today, all four branches of the U.S. Armed
Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps—fly
C-12s in various configurations. The Navy also uses
Beech T-34C jetprop trainers for primary flight training,
and versions of the Beech King Air Model 90, designated
T-44A, for multi-engine training.
1980’s
- On February 8, 1980, Beech Aircraft Corporation becomes
a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, a diversified electronics
and technology company located in Lexington, Massachusetts. - Early in 1984, Beech delivers the first of its new
pressurized 1900 Airliners to regional airlines. Today,
more than 600 of the 19-passenger jetprops have been
delivered worldwide. - Also in 1984, Beech introduces the Beech King Air
300, which offers improvement in speed, performance,
and cabin amenities over its predecessors. - On December 2, 1985, Beech announces the addition
of the Beechjet to its product line. Beechjet is a
535-mile-per-hour eight-to-ten passenger transport
and features new business jet technology, having been
certified in May 1985. - In May 1987, Beech announces it will retrofit more
than 5,000 V-tail Bonanzas produced since 1950 to
account for errors in government aircraft certification
design data revealed during Beech’s two year, multimillion-dollar
research effort. Demonstrating Beech’s commitment
to its customers, the company pays for the retrofit
for any airworthy Bonanza affected. - In early 1988, Beech announces it will relocate assembly
and subassembly work on the Beechjet from Mitsubishi
facilities in Japan to Kansas, creating hundreds of
new jobs for American workers. - In October 1988, Beech introduces the Beechjet 400A,
which features a larger interior and the most advanced
flight deck available. - In October 1989, Beech introduces the Beech King Air
350. With a wider wing span, double-club seating and
two-foot-high winglets, the 350 is the most comfortable
and capable King Air ever built.
1990’s
- In February 1990, U.S. Air Force officials announce
the selection of the Beechjet for its T-1A Jayhawk
program to train tanker and transport pilots. With
all contract options exercised, Beech Aircraft is
to provide 180 Beechjets to the Air Force for specialized
undergraduate pilot training. - In September 1990, Beech Aircraft commits to compete
for the U.S. Air Force and Navy Joint Primary Aircraft
Training System. The Beech team offers a missionized
version of the Pilatus PC-9 to be called the Beech
MkII, an advanced, high-performance primary trainer. - In March 1991, Beech is awarded a type certificate
for the 1900D Airliner, a state-of-the-art 19-passenger,
pressurized aircraft featuring a 71-inch stand-up
cabin, more baggage capacity, and improved passenger
comfort features. - At the National Business Aircraft Association convention
in October 1991, Beech introduces the new King Air
C90B, which features a redesigned passenger cabin,
new sound absorbent and moisture resistant interior
panels, four-blade propellers, new propeller spinners
and a new paint scheme. - On January 17, 1992, Beech delivers the first T-1A
Jayhawk to the U.S. Air Force in ceremonies near the
company’s jet assembly line. - On July 6, 1993, Mrs. O.A. Beech, co-founder of Beech
Aircraft, dies in Wichita at age 89. - On July 12, 1993, Raytheon Company names Arthur E.
Wegner as a senior vice president of Raytheon and
chairman and chief executive officer of Beech. - In August 1993, Raytheon Company acquires Raytheon
Corporate Jets, producers of the mid-sized Hawker
jet line, from British Aerospace. - In mid-September of 1994, Beech Aircraft and Raytheon
Corporate Jets merge to form Raytheon Aircraft. Arthur
E. Wegner is named chairman and CEO. - At the end of 1994, U.S. Air Force exercises sixth
option for 32 T-1A Jayhawks worth $127 million, bringing
the total order to 180 aircraft worth $755 million. - In April of 1995, the company’s new Administration
Building opens. A $10 million, 100,000-square-foot
facility, the building provides a modern showcase
in which to conduct business with Raytheon Aircraft
customers from around the world. - The Beech MkII is chosen as the U.S. Air Force and
U.S. Navy’s next-generation primary trainer aircraft
in a highly competitive selection process on June
22, 1995. The multibillion-dollar program calls for
the production of more than 700 aircraft. The joint
services would soon name the aircraft the T-6A Texan II. - In September 1995, Raytheon Aircraft introduces its
all-new light jet, the Raytheon Premier I, which utilizes
the latest technologies in design and construction
to provide outstanding comfort, performance, and value. - Also in September 1995, the first Hawker 800XP (Extended
Performance) is delivered to a customer. The Hawker
800XP represents the first upgrade of the Hawker line
since its acquisition by Raytheon Company. - In April 1996, the 3,000th Beech Bonanza A36 rolls
off the production line. The 5,000th King Air is delivered
in June 1996. - Raytheon Aircraft introduces the company’s all-new,
super mid-sized jet, the Hawker Horizon, during the
National Business Aircraft Association convention
in November 1996. - In June 1997, Raytheon Aircraft announces the formation
of Raytheon Travel Air, an aircraft fractional ownership
company featuring the Hawker 800XP, the Beechjet 400A,
and the King Air B200. - In spring of 1997, the company marks 50 years of continuous
production of the popular single-engine Bonanza series. - In the summer of 1997, the company delivers the 180th
and final T-1 Jayhawk pilot trainer to the U.S. Air
Force. - At the end of 1997, Raytheon Aircraft marks a record
year by generating more than $2.45 billion in sales. - In July 1998, the first production T-6A Texan II makes
its maiden flight. Four other production aircraft
would join the first to conduct flight tests in preparation
for first delivery in 1999. - On December 22, 1998—exactly 53 years to the
day from the first flight of the famed Beech Bonanza—the
new Raytheon Premier I takes to the skies for the
first time. The new entry-level business jet flew
a successful 62-minute debut, paving the way for certification
efforts in 1999. - Raytheon Aircraft ends 1998 with record sales of $2.5
billion while delivering 395 aircraft. - In June 1999, Executive Jet, Inc. announces an order
for 50 Hawker Horizon super mid-size business jets,
with options for 50 more. Total value of the transaction,
including support activities and options, is valued
at $2 billion, a company and industry record. - Raytheon Travel Air scores number one on an independent
survey for customer satisfaction among fractional
ownership companies. The company ends 1999 with $230
million in sales. Revenue and fractional share ownership
grow in excess of 75 percent during the year. - The new Raytheon Premier I entry-level business jet
completes more than 700 flight hours toward certification,
and validates all critical performance numbers. More
than 200 Premier Is are on order by the end of the
year. - Raytheon Aircraft ends 1999 with record sales of $2.7
billion and a record backlog of $4.3 billion, compared
with $2.5 billion in 1998.
2000’s
- In August 2000, upon the retirement of Art Wegner, Hansel
Tookes becomes Chairman of Raytheon Aircraft, in addition
to his titles of President and CEO. - Raytheon Aircraft ends 2000 with record sales of $3.2
billion and deliveries of 525 aircraft, the most in
nearly 20 years. - On March 23, 2001, the future of business aviation
arrives. Raytheon Aircraft celebrates the Federal
Aviation Administration certification of the new Premier
I business jet. The Premier I is the first certified
business jet with a composite fuselage, the first
clean-sheet business jet certified by Raytheon Aircraft,
and the first new airplane certified by Raytheon Aircraft
in more than a decade. Orders stand at more than 300
for the $5.3 million aircraft. - In an April 17 ceremony Raytheon Aircraft officially
rolls out the second of its composite fuselage business
jets . The super mid-size Hawker Horizon has transcontinental
range and seating for up to 13. - On May 30, James E. Schuster is named Chairman and
CEO of Raytheon Aircraft, succeeding Hansel Tookes,
who becomes President of Raytheon International Inc. - On June 22, 2001, the innovative Premier I achieved
an important milestone when first delivery was enthusiastically
received by Troy Eaden. - On Aug. 11, the new super mid-size business jet, the Hawker
Horizon, conducts its maiden flight. The composite-fuselage
jet flew a 2 ½-hour mission from Wichita’s Beech Field
that tested the aircraft’s flying qualities, engine operation,
low-speed handling and climb performance. The aircraft flew to 10,500
feet and
operated at speeds up to 225 knots. - At
NBAA 2002, Raytheon Aircraft announced the return
of the Hawker and Beechcraft brands. Both known worldwide
for their high performance,
reliability, and large, comfortable cabins the brands
represent corporate-flown aircraft (Hawkers) and
those certified for single-pilot flight (Beechcraft). - On May 6, 2003, Raytheon Aircraft introduces the Hawker
400XP at the 2003 European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition.
This new Hawker is a critical step in the company’s overall
strategy to create distinct branding references for our customers.
The aircraft was formerly known as the Beechjet 400A. - On
Oct. 7, 2003, Raytheon Aircraft introduces the Collins
Pro Line 21 avionics suites for the Beechcraft King
Air 350 and B200. The cockpit
upgrades mark a long line of product enhancements
for the King Air line, which will celebrate its 40th
anniversary in 2004. - On
Jan. 20, 2004, Raytheon Aircraft celebrates the 40th
anniversary of the first flight of the Beechcraft
King Air. The original Beechcraft
King Air Model 90 lifted off from Beech Field in
Wichita on this date, and flew on to become most
successful business aircraft of all time.
The King Air family today remains a highly versatile
aircraft line.