Raytheon-Beech-Hawker Raytheon/Beech Beechjet 400/T-1 Jayhawk

Twin Jet· 399 globally registered

The Beechjet 400A is a light business jet that traces its lineage to the Mitsubishi Diamond II of the early 1980s, later developed by Beech Aircraft and refined through multiple ownership changes under Raytheon and Hawker Beechcraft. Certified in 1990, the 400A became one of the most successful light jets of the 1990s, offering transcontinental range and a stand-up cabin in a compact twin-engine package. Its Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engines deliver a maximum cruise speed of 450 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet, making it competitive with the Cessna Citation series while offering slightly more cabin volume. The type earned a reputation for reliability in corporate and charter operations, with over 800 examples built before production transitioned to the improved Hawker 400XP in 2003. The 400A's relatively low operating costs and dependable systems made it a favorite among fractional ownership programs and small charter operators throughout North America. Its performance envelope, capable of linking city pairs like New York to Denver or Los Angeles to Chicago nonstop, positioned it as the workhorse of the light jet category during its production run. Though newer competitors like the Embraer Phenom 300 and Cessna Citation CJ4 have since captured market share, the Beechjet 400A remains a common sight at business aviation airports across the United States. SkyMeter has tracked 826 flights across 187 airframes and 125 operators, with CENTRAL IOWA AVIATION LLC the largest observed operator.