Hawker 400

The Hawker 400, originally introduced as the Beech Model 400, entered service in 1979 as a high‑performance business jet built by Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas. Developed from the earlier Beech Baron twin‑engine piston aircraft, the jet incorporated a sleek, low‑drag airframe and Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4A turbofan engines, delivering a cruising speed of around 470 kt and a range of roughly 1,800 nm. Over its production run—spanning more than a decade and resulting in over 400 units—the aircraft earned a reputation for reliability, low operating costs, and the ability to operate from short runways, making it popular among corporate operators and air‑taxi services. In the early 2000s the type was rebranded under the Hawker name after the merger that created Hawker Beechcraft, and the updated Hawker 400XP variant added pressurised avionics, improved cabin comfort, and enhanced performance. The Hawker 400’s blend of jet speed with piston‑aircraft simplicity helped bridge the gap between light pistons and larger midsize jets, influencing later designs such as the Hawker 750 and contributing to the growth of the very light jet market. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for cost‑effective, versatile corporate aviation.