Beechcraft Premier I
Beechcraft · USA · first flew 1998 · light aircraft
The Beechcraft Premier I is a light business jet with a carbon-composite fuselage and metal wings, seating up to six in a roomy cabin for its class.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Carbon-composite fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Carbon-composite fuselage
- Aft fuselage-mounted turbofans
- Swept T-tail
Identify it by the two turbofans mounted on the rear composite fuselage, a swept T-tail and a swept low wing. Its relatively wide fuselage for a small jet is a further clue.
Specifications
- The Beechcraft Premier I has a length of 14.02 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.56 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 835 km/h (519 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2 pilots, up to 6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Raytheon Aircraft first flew the Premier I in 1998, using a filament-wound composite fuselage to gain interior width without weight. It slotted in below the Hawker jets as Beechcraft's entry-level jet.
Variants
The improved Premier IA followed with better brakes and avionics. The design later evolved toward the planned Hawker 200, though that programme did not reach production.
Where you'll see it
In the UK the Premier I is flown as an owner-operated and light-charter business jet, prized for its wide single-pilot-capable cabin. It competes with other entry-level jets on private-charter networks.
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- Premier I
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- Beechcraft 1900D
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- Extra 330
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