Hawker Beechcraft’s 400XPR upgrade program has achieved two milestones: the first set of Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines was recently mounted on the 400XPR test airplane and certification has been achieved for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite.

First run of the new Williams engines is expected in the next few weeks. The powerplants can each deliver 3,600 pounds of thrust, although they will be flat-rated to produced 3,200 pounds, for a total of 6,400 pounds (8 percent more than the Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5R engines that were originally installed on the Beechjet 400/400XP). The engines are controlled by full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems that reduce pilot workload and offer additional features such as trend monitoring, time-limited dispatch, diagnostics and engine synchronization. As well as featuring the new Williams engines, the 400XPR will also have Hawker Beechcraft-designed winglets.

The Pro Line 21 avionics installation is an option for the 400XPR and upgrades the avionics from the original Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 system to a four-display system with FMS 6100 flight management system. Features available in Pro Line 21 include electronic charts, XM weather/data (available in the U.S.), WAAS/LPV precision GPS-based instrument approaches, ADS-B out, VHF data link and capability for future upgrades to meet coming airspace requirements.

Hawker Beechcraft offers the XPR upgrade for existing Beechjet 400/400XP owners or the company can provide the aircraft and upgrades as a factory-completed aircraft. The company has already sold out 2012 production for the 400XPR upgrade. It expects to receive certification of the engines and winglet installation by the end of June.