Hawker Beechcraft Introduces King Air 350i and Hawker 450XP

King Air 350 buyers can now opt for the new 350i variant, with a new-design interior, the latest Rockwell Collins Venue cabin "infotainment" suite (compatible with iPods, XM Satellite Radio, Blu-ray DVD and Xboxes "for the kids") and high definition displays throughout the cabin. Hawker Beechcraft's "Serenity System" soundproofing is also included, said to lower ambient cabin noise to 78 dBA from 82 dBA. The 350i King Air also features an enhanced lavatory, said to be comparable to those found on midsize jets. Price of the latest King Air 350 variant is pegged at $6.526 million. The upgraded Hawker 450XP also incorporates the Rockwell Collins Venue system for passengers, but they will have less time to enjoy those amenities because the $7.695 million 450XP has been re-engined with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535D turbofans replacing the 400XPs JT15Ds. Advantages include an increase in cruising speed, increased range, better time to climb, 7 to 10 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption (with corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions) and lower maintenance costs (5,000 hour inspection intervals), in part due to the new engines' full authority digital engine controls (fadec). Hot and high performance is also significantly improved -- by a range increase of some 500 nautical miles out of Denver, for example. And for ski-season flights, both the King Air 350i and the Hawker 450XP are available with heated seats.