Nextant Aerospace 400NEXT Phase 1 Completes First Flight

Posted By: Marcel van Leeuwen March 13, 2010

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, OHIO — March 12, 2010 – Nextant Aerospace today announced the first flight of a fully equipped Phase 1 400NEXT aircraft. The flight took place Thursday February 25th and completed the transition from experimental to production aircraft.

“With the completion of the STC for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Flight Deck Upgrade in October, Nextant is now offering the 400NEXT aircraft in a two phase program. The Phase 1 aircraft is being built according to the 400NEXT configuration including the Pro Line 21 cockpit, but retains the Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engines. Phase 2 will be the installation of the Williams FJ44-3AP engines once that certification is complete. We were extremely happy with the outcome of the Phase 1 first flight. This flight also highlighted the capabilities of the Rockwell Collins Venue™ cabin management system, the Aircell Axxess® system, and the ATG 4000 High Speed Internet.” said James Miller, President of Nextant Aerospace.

The Phase 1 400NEXT aircraft, N401NX, was outfitted with the following equipment which will be optional items on the complete 400NEXT aircraft:

  • Aircell Axxess® cabin communications system and ATG 4000 High Speed Internet
  • iShades – solid state window shades allowing passengers to electronically adjust the amount of natural light coming into the cabin
  • Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system:
    • High definition (HD) audio/video system
    • Media Center with Blu-ray Disc player and HD Airshow Map
    • Dual iPod docks
    • Dual 10.6” HD displays pluggable at any seat

“Being able to offer such a high tech cabin is something we are extremely excited about. In the past internet access in light jets was unheard of; typically a jet owner would have to own a large cabin aircraft to be offered that amenity. During the installation and testing of the High Speed Internet System, we found the speed of the connection to be faster in the air than on the ground.” said Miller.

The Nextant 400NEXT is designed to overcome significant limitations to the popular Hawker Beechcraft 400XP/400A by replacing the existing Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with the new modern Williams International FJ44-3AP computer controlled engines along with the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. The range of the 400NEXT will be increased from 1333 nautical miles to over 2000 (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range) with a 30% reduction in operating costs based on fuel savings alone.

 Nextant 400NEXT – Beechjet 400A/XP Performance Comparison
   400NEXT % Beechjet 400A 
 Range (4 Pax NBAA IFR Res.)  2005  50%  1333
 Long Range Cruise Speed  437  6%  414
 High Speed Cruise Speed (kts)  460 2%  450
 Takeoff Length @ MTOGW (SL/ISA std. day)  3906 –  3906
 Landing Distance (4 Pax NBAA IFR Res.)  2960 –  2960
 Single Engine Climb Rate  745  144% 305
 Operating Cost per mile ††  $1.91 †  30%  $2.72
 Time to Climb All Engines  22/FL430  33%  33/FL430