Engine Upgrade Peps Up Hawker 700

The Hawker 700 is a good airplane with a roomy cabin, but its engine limits its range and payload performance, according to many operators, especially those who fly out of hot and high airports. Garrett Aviation and Honeywell plan to offer a potent tonic that will boost the aircraft's allowable maximum takeoff weight under such conditions, reduce takeoff field length by as much as 300 meters, and shorten time to climb by as much as 30%.

The recipe for this tonic is complex, yet cost-effective. Garrett and Honeywell plan to transform the aircraft's original 3,700-pounds-thrust TFE731-3R turbofans into 4,080-pounds-thrust ­4s. A higher-pressure ratio fan and fan gear box, and more robust hot-section parts are the main ingredients that make possible the nearly 10% increase in takeoff thrust.

The new parts will boost high-altitude cruise thrust and improve thrust-specific fuel consumption, too. The result is at least 2,000 feet higher initial cruise altitude and more than 10 knots greater cruise speed. An added benefit is an increase in MPI from 1,400 hours to 2,100 hours.

The estimated cost is $922,000 to $1.3 million, depending upon time remaining to the next major engine inspection interval and MSP status. Garrett and Honeywell need 18 customers to launch the program.