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Nextant Aerospace Announces Completion of Initial Certification Flight

Dépèche transmise le 25 août 2009 par Business Wire

Nextant Aerospace Announces Completion of Initial Certification Flight

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nextant Aerospace announced today that they have completed the initial certification flight for the Beechjet 400A/XP Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 Flight Deck Upgrade.

The Pro Line 21 upgrade program combines one of the most popular avionics suites available with one of the most popular light/medium business jets. “We are excited to announce the achievement of this milestone in the certification process of the Pro Line 21 upgrade for the Beechjet 400A/XP. The increased situational awareness and control this retrofit offers to owners and pilots are exceptional. The interest we have received in this upgrade is astonishing and we have already begun securing installation slots,” said Mark O’Donnell, VP of Manufacturing for Nextant Aerospace. The Pro Line 21 Upgrade brings future airspace capabilities, safety and reliability to earlier-generation flight decks, along with reduced flight deck workload, maintenance and weight.

Nextant is on schedule for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the Pro Line 21 upgrade in October of this year with installations and delivery immediately to follow. Base price for the Beechjet 400A/XP Pro Line 21 upgrade, consisting of three displays, is $390,000. Additional options are available for four displays, IFIS (Integrated Flight Information System) and XM Satellite NEXRAD Radar.

The Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade is part of the complete 400NEXT program. The Nextant 400NEXT is designed to overcome significant limitations to the popular Hawker Beechcraft 400XP/400A by replacing the existing Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with the new modern Williams International FJ44-3AP computer controlled engines along with the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. The range of the 400NEXT will be increased from 1333 nautical miles to over 2000 (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range) with a 31% reduction in operating costs based on fuel savings alone. The 400NEXT will be offered as a remanufactured serially produced aircraft as well as a modification retrofit program.

For additional information, please visit www.nextantaerospace.com .

About Nextant Aerospace

Nextant Aerospace was formed for the primary purpose of developing an aircraft modernization program and operates two full-service corporate aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities located across the United States. The service center network has locations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Birmingham Alabama International Airport (BHM). For more information, please visit www.nextantaerospace.com .

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management, and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com .

About Williams International

Williams International is the world leader in small turbine engines and customer support, with headquarters in Walled Lake, Michigan, and a design-to-production facility in Ogden, Utah. For more information about the company, its products, and support, please visit www.williams-int.com .

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