Raytheon Travel Air Signs Its 550th Owner

Raytheon Aircraft's fastest-growing business, the Raytheon Travel Air fractional ownership program for executive jets, has signed up its 550th owner since it was formed just three years ago.

Its fleet now consists of 78 aircraft and 550 owners, compared with 13 aircraft and 42 owners some six months after its inception. The program is based on the King Air B200, Beechjet 400A, Hawker 800XP and the new Premier I and Hawker Horizon business jets, which have yet to enter service.

The latest customer is David K. Welles, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Therma-Tru Doors of Maumee, Ohio. Until now he has relied on commercial and charter flights for his company's travel needs. Fractional ownership will improve the company's efficiency and lower its travel expenses.

"Flexibility is a big reason we chose Raytheon Travel Air - flexibility in aircraft choice and in aircraft availability on short notice," said Welles, who purchased a share of a Beechjet 400A light jet and a share of a King Air B200 twin turboprop. "Safety was another key factor. I like that fact that Travel Air's pilots are dedicated to flying a single model of aircraft."

Therma-Tru's flight hours will be used primarily to bring potential customers to the manufacturing facilities, as well as for executive transport. Having a share of both the Beechjet and the King Air will allow it to fly into remote airport locations where a jet alone cannot, while sometimes the King Air will be more efficient on short flights.

Since its inception, the Travel Air program has logged more than 89,000 flight hours on 65,000-plus flights. The company is currently averaging 125 flights per day, and has an on-time record of 98.5%.

By John Morris