Latest news from the Hawker Horizon program at this year's NBAA convention opening is the joining of the first left and right wing elements, supplied earlier this year by Fuji Heavy Industries, into a single, 61 foot 9 inch-unit, to which landing gear will shortly be attached. Meanwhile, fiber placement is complete on the three fuselage sections of the prototype, and these are now being equipped.
Raytheon Aircraft Company also reports that progress toward a maiden flight is being assisted by the completion of the nose birdstrike test article, current manufacture of the static test airframe, imminent landing gear drop trials, and adherence to schedule of the regular certification progress meetings, with the FAA and European JAA equivalent.

Fuji, which is a risk-sharing partner, will deliver the second wing set before the end of the month. The Horizon landing gear comes from Messier-Dowty and avionics from Honeywell. Pratt & Whitney provides the aircraft's two PW308A turbofans and has so far accumulated over 1,064 hours on six development and two customer engines.

Sales and options for the eight/12-seat Horizon now number more than 150, recently prompting Raytheon to hoist production targets from 24 to 36 per year and to install two more Cincinnati Machine Viper fiber placement machines for fuselage manufacture. Although fabricated in a similar manner to its entry-level stable-mate, the Premier I, the Horizon fuselage is larger, boasting a 72-inch, stand-up, flat-floor cabin with 77.5-inch width. First deliveries are due in 2001.

By Paul Jackson