An Untimely Tire Burst, FAA Issues Force Delays

Raytheon's Brad Hatt

A tire burst test that forced Raytheon to reinforce the nose wheel well and re-route fuel and hydraulic lines, and avionics wiring harnesses, was the principal cause of the delays that pushed back certification of the new Premier 1 and have postponed delivery of the first aircraft until late this coming May, VP Brad Hatt said here Wednesday.

"It happened very late to us," Hatt said of the tire test.

New agency concern about tires in the wake of the Concorde tragedy was a factor, said Raytheon sales V.P. Ted Farid.

Lessons have been learned that should prevent similar problems with the brand new Hawker 450, for which final performance parameters are to be decided by the Paris Air Show in June, Hatt said.

Better communication with busy FAA officials in Wichita is key: "We've got to bring them in to where they can be actually part of our integrated product team," Hatt said.