Hawker 4000 Charter

The Hawker 4000 (originally the Hawker Horizon) was Raytheon Aircraft's attempt in the early 2000s to build the world's first super-midsize business jet with an all-composite fuselage, a fly-by-wire flight-control system and transcontinental range in a Hawker-badged airframe. First flight came in 2001, but certification issues around composite structure and honeycomb corrosion delayed entry into service until 2008 — by which time Raytheon had sold the business to Onex-affiliated Hawker Beechcraft.

Only 73 Hawker 4000s were built between 2008 and 2013, when Hawker Beechcraft's bankruptcy ended production. The type continues to serve in charter and fractional fleets (notably NetJets, which ordered 50) but the small fleet size and residual concerns about composite fuselage inspection cycles have kept resale values well below what specification alone might suggest.

For charter clients the 4000 offers a genuinely spacious super-midsize cabin, transcontinental range and a distinctive product feel at prices that reflect the aircraft's commercial history rather than its capability. When available it is often the best-value super-midsize on the market.

The 4000 cabin is 25 feet long, 6 feet 5 inches wide and 6 feet tall — full stand-up, competitive with modern Longitudes and Praetors, and materially bigger than a Challenger 300 or Citation X. The composite fuselage allowed Hawker to shape the cabin without the frame-and-stringer intrusions typical of aluminium construction, and passengers notice the smoothness of the sidewall trim.

Standard layout is a double-club eight-seat configuration with an aft two-place divan. Seats are full leather and reclining, with tables and sidewall drawers integrated into the sidewall structure. Cabin management is Rockwell Collins Venue on late-production aircraft; earlier examples run less capable systems. Ka-band Wi-Fi is available as a retrofit but not standard.

The galley is forward-right and generously sized for the class. The lavatory is fully enclosed, well-appointed and includes vanity space. Baggage volume is 96 cubic feet in an aft-accessed heated hold — competitive with peers.

Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A engines deliver 6,900 pounds of thrust each. Maximum operating Mach is 0.84; long-range cruise Mach 0.80. Certified ceiling is FL450. NBAA IFR range with eight passengers is 3,190 nautical miles — enough for London to Dubai, New York to Los Angeles, Dubai to Cape Town or Miami to São Paulo with reserves.

Balanced field length at MTOW is 4,995 ft — competitive with the Longitude but longer than a Challenger 350. Landing distance is 3,400 ft. The 4000 is not a short-field specialist but performs adequately at most business airports; steep-approach and hot-and-high operations require careful weight planning.

Fly-by-wire flight controls (a first for its class) give the aircraft precise handling and integrated envelope protection. Fuel burn averages 260 gph in cruise — mid-pack for the segment.

Charter hourly rates for the 4000 run $7,800–$9,500 in North America; €8,500–€10,000 in Europe. Empty-leg availability is limited because the fleet is small. Indicative pricing: New York to LA from $40,000; London to Dubai from £52,000; Miami to São Paulo from $58,000.

Against the Longitude the 4000 gives up some cabin length and modern avionics generation but offers a broadly comparable cabin experience at 10–15 per cent lower charter cost. Against the Challenger 350/3500 the 4000 offers a wider cabin at similar range but with a much smaller service network. Against the Citation X+ the 4000 gives up speed and gains cabin volume.

The 4000's central commercial issue is not the aircraft — it is fleet volume and residual concerns about composite inspection. For charter clients that translates into thin availability and, when the aircraft is available, attractive pricing.

Charter the 4000 when it is available at a meaningful discount to a Longitude or Challenger 3500 on the same mission and cabin size is more important than newness. It suits transcontinental corporate travel with six to eight passengers and clients who want a distinctive product without paying flagship prices.

Prefer the Longitude, Praetor 600 or Challenger 3500 when service network, resale predictability and fleet depth matter — the 4000 is a specialist aircraft in a small fleet, and the commercial case only works when the price reflects that.