View Full Version : Beechjet 400A
Considering this bird for ourselves. Any common type-specific issues to be aware of? Design flaws? Operational peculiarities?
We all know it isn't always exactly what it says on the box, so any first-hand experience would be highly appreciated...
Thanks in advance!
Duchess_Driver
28th Feb 2020, 13:01
To do what, where, for who? How many hours per year?
733driver
28th Feb 2020, 15:00
By now an old aircraft. Noisy engines. Needs long runways for a light jet. Needs Prist (fuel additive) in the fuel if not modified with fuel heaters. Fuselage tank takes a long time to fill.
It's a solid airplane, good ride in turbulence, pretty fast, heavy in roll (roll spoilers only, no ailerons), Standard cabin for a light jet. ProLine 4 avionics were good for the time. Standard range for a light jet of that era (about 1200 NM). I enjoyed it more than the Citations 550 of the same era. Much more solid feel to it.
Make sure it has been updated to meet current avionics requirements and check noise restrictions at the airports you intend to use. It's officially Stage 3 but barely.
By now an old aircraft. Noisy engines. Needs long runways for a light jet. Needs Prist (fuel additive) in the fuel if not modified with fuel heaters. Fuselage tank takes a long time to fill.
It's a solid airplane, good ride in turbulence, pretty fast, heavy in roll (roll spoilers only, no ailerons), Standard cabin for a light jet. ProLine 4 avionics were good for the time. Standard range for a light jet of that era (about 1200 NM). I enjoyed it more than the Citations 550 of the same era. Much more solid feel to it.
Make sure it has been updated to meet current avionics requirements and check noise restrictions at the airports you intend to use. It's officially Stage 3 but barely.
Thank you, sir! Good insights,.
Whats the more modern version? 400XP (Hawker)?
Sorry, not very familiar with Beechcraft (Raytheon?)...
733driver
28th Feb 2020, 15:40
Thank you, sir! Good insights,.
Whats the more modern version? 400XP (Hawker)?
Sorry, not very familiar with Beechcraft (Raytheon?)...
The 400XP is essentially the same. The only true modern version with updated engines and avionics is the Nextant.
733, got it. Thanks again!
Pugilistic Animus
29th Feb 2020, 05:22
Eclipse 550 about 2.8 million but it has things like autothrottle... I've never flown it but seems very impressive on paper.
733driver
29th Feb 2020, 08:22
Eclipse 550 about 2.8 million but it has things like autothrottle... I've never flown it but seems very impressive on paper.
The Eclipes is a very light jet (VLJ), and a niche product at that. From a niche manufacturer. I would consider it a risky investment, even if it did fit the mission profile. If VLJ then I'd recommend a Phenom 100. It's the most grown-up of the bunch. Except I don't like the G1000's user interface at all. Most used Phenom 100s will have the G1000. New ones have the 3000, I believe.
733driver
29th Feb 2020, 08:23
If your budget permits, you might be better off with a Nextant 400XTi or used Embraer 300.
I would tend to agree. Although I'm really not a big fan of the Garmin 1000 avionics in the early Phenom 300. The Garmin 3000 with touch controllers has a much better user interface.
KKoran
1st Mar 2020, 01:28
Eclipse 550 about 2.8 million but it has things like autothrottle... I've never flown it but seems very impressive on paper.
Have you ever seen an Eclipse? They are small.
Pugilistic Animus
1st Mar 2020, 19:38
Actually, no I haven't seen one but I think it may just be a more feasible jet than the old Beechjet provided you don't need a lot of seating.... Citation Mustang then, maybe?
I consider Phenom a bit overpriced for what it is. Both 100 and 300. Nice and all, yes, but this is for commercial reasons, not personal indulgence...
Eclipse pics from the web: looks extra tiny!! How cramped is it inside compared to Beech and/or CJ1/2?
340drvr
3rd Mar 2020, 11:18
The Eclipse is very small, closer in comparison to a Baron inside, than other small jets.
733driver
3rd Mar 2020, 13:38
I consider Phenom a bit overpriced for what it is. Both 100 and 300. Nice and all, yes, but this is for commercial reasons, not personal indulgence...
Eclipse pics from the web: looks extra tiny!! How cramped is it inside compared to Beech and/or CJ1/2?
Yes, the Eclipse is tiny. It's more a personal jet than your typical VLJ used for charter and/or corporate.
There's probably a good reason why the newer jets such as the Phenom 100 and 300 are more expensive than an old Beechjet They are cheaper to operate. The more you fly, the quicker that will pay for itself. They are probably also more reliable. Maintenance support may be better. You need to consider all these factors and more before making a decision.
Perhaps you want to share more of your mission profile? How many hours a year? What type of airports? City pairs? Pax count? Charter, corporate or private?
Yes, the Eclipse is tiny. It's more a personal jet than your typical VLJ used for charter and/or corporate.
There's probably a good reason why the newer jets such as the Phenom 100 and 300 are more expensive than an old Beechjet They are cheaper to operate. The more you fly, the quicker that will pay for itself. They are probably also more reliable. Maintenance support may be better. You need to consider all these factors and more before making a decision.
Perhaps you want to share more of your mission profile? How many hours a year? What type of airports? City pairs? Pax count? Charter, corporate or private?
driver,
I understand the opex argument, but it is still hard to fork out the initial investment. It's like 350/787 - I appreciate how economical they are, but still can't afford one...
missions 1 to 1.5 hrs, 400hrs/year target give or take... airports mostly full equip within EU, nothing too exotic, although might be on occasion.
733driver
3rd Mar 2020, 15:23
Hmmm, A Phenom 100 isn't much more expensive than a decent 400XP. The Phenom will be significantly cheaper to operate but the 400XP is a significantly larger and more substantial jet. If my mission was typically just one or two pax for not more than about 600 miles I'd go for a Phenom 100. Any more pax and/or longer flights on a regular basis, I'd go for something bigger such as the Beechjet or 400XP. I just learned there is something called a Hawker 400 XPR which is Textron's response to the Nextant. However, both should be significantly more expensive than a Beechjet or a 400XP.
botswanadriver
24th Mar 2020, 22:32
Solid aircraft, Ageing avionics but they do the job. Does not climb well with engine and wing anti ice on in the clag. Solid 430-450kts TAS for 2.5 hrs then must land. Environmental system can give loads of trouble.
Heavy on the stick due to spoilers but rides the bumps very well. Very well made aircraft. Makes a C550 feel like a plastic aircraft i.e. solid.
Look for ADS-B out and TCAS7.1, expensive upgrades
Global Aviator
24th Mar 2020, 22:57
Solid aircraft, Ageing avionics but they do the job. Does not climb well with engine and wing anti ice on in the clag. Solid 430-450kts TAS for 2.5 hrs then must land. Environmental system can give loads of trouble.
Heavy on the stick due to spoilers but rides the bumps very well. Very well made aircraft. Makes a C550 feel like a plastic aircraft i.e. solid.
Look for ADS-B out and TCAS7.1, expensive upgrades
Wouldn’t the Nextant mod fix most of that?
botswanadriver
24th Mar 2020, 22:59
Yes but you're still buying an old airframe with overwing fueling and an aft tank that take ages to fill. Bargain on 30 mins to fuel the bird.
Buy something newer
botswanadriver
24th Mar 2020, 23:05
Believe me I love the 400XP, but its engines don't perform and runs out of steam through FL300-320 when heavy. The nextant with williams may be a load better no experience on that
Believe me I love the 400XP, but its engines don't perform and runs out of steam through FL300-320 when heavy. The nextant with williams may be a load better no experience on that
bots driver, thx bru, well noted
snail13
25th Mar 2020, 12:19
We've operated the Nextant 400XT for 6 years now and have found it to be really good.
The Williams TAP engine program and Collins CASP coverage help smooth out the maintenance costs. With the new engines we climb to FL400 - FL430 direct with no real issues. The owners require a plane that operates in and out of 3000' runways and we do that with very little issue at temps around 30 - 35 Celsius.
With the new updates the claimed range is 2000 nm, but in saying that the furthest I have pushed her is 1860nm and landed with around 50 mins of fuel.
Proline 21 is a very nice upgrade, also slowly aging though. But is more than capable and the electronic charts are excellent.
Cons form our side, lav isn't great especially with the extended range now, over wing refueling is slow but not the worst.
snail, thanks, good insights
Tinstaafl
28th Mar 2020, 23:50
Baggage space is a pain. Small, oddly shaped, & squatting under the L engine to load through the small door makes it awkward.
carlos turmina
17th Oct 2022, 02:10
does anybody know what would be the pitch angle limit on the beechjet for tail strike during landing ?