Beechcraft
The Beechcraft Story
Built on the Belief That Quality Is Never Optional
"There are aircraft manufacturers. And then there is Gulfstream."
Walter Beech was not a man who accepted compromise. Having co-founded Travel Air Manufacturing Company and later served as president of Curtiss-Wright, he founded Beech Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kansas in 1932 — in the depths of the Great Depression — with his wife Olive Ann, who would later become one of the most influential executives in aviation history.
The company’s first aircraft, the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing, was audacious by any standard — a biplane of such elegance and performance that it immediately established the Beechcraft name as synonymous with quality that others aspired to but rarely matched. The Bonanza followed in 1947 and has been in continuous production ever since — making it the longest-running production aircraft in history, a distinction it holds to this day.
Today, Beechcraft operates under Textron Aviation alongside Cessna and Bell, benefiting from one of the most comprehensive service and support networks in general aviation. But the culture Walter Beech established in 1932 — that every rivet, every weld, and every system must meet a standard that the pilot and passengers deserve — remains as present in a new Bonanza G36 as it was in the original Model 17.
The Most Chartered Beechcraft Jets
| Beechjet 400A | Premier I | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Light jet | Light jet |
| Range | 1,619 nm | 1,500 nm |
| Passengers | 1–8 | 1–6 |
| Cabin height | 4.8 ft | 5.5 ft |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.78 | Mach 0.80 |
| Typical charter rate* | $2,800–$4,500/hr | $3,000–$4,800/hr |
| Sample route | New York to Miami | New York to Chicago |
Rates vary by route, season, and availability. Contact Arc Jet Club for a precise quote.
Beechjet 400A — The aircraft that brought Beechcraft credibility in business jets and continues to deliver in the charter market. Originally developed as the Mitsubishi Diamond and refined by Beechcraft into the 400A, this light jet served the US Air Force as the T-1A Jayhawk trainer — the most compelling endorsement any aircraft can receive. A well-appointed eight-passenger cabin, 1,619 nautical miles of range, and Williams FJ44 engines of proven reliability make the 400A a smart charter choice for domestic US routes where a larger jet simply isn’t required. Outstanding value per seat mile against current-production light jets.
Premier I — Beechcraft’s composite-fuselage pioneer remains a compelling charter option for clients who value cabin width above almost anything else. The Premier I’s carbon fiber structure delivered the widest cabin of any aircraft in its class at launch — and that advantage remains real today. Williams FJ44-2A engines, Mach 0.80 cruise, and a refined interior make it an intelligent choice for groups of up to six who want a genuine jet experience at a charter rate that reflects the aircraft’s pre-owned economics rather than a current-production price tag.
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