Light Jet
Beechcraft Beechjet 400A
Range
1,180 NM
Cruise speed
449 kts
Seats
7
History
The Beechjet 400A started life in Japan, where Mitsubishi Heavy Industries designed it as the MU-300 Diamond, its flagship business jet. The Diamond first flew on 29 August 1978 and was certified by the FAA in 1981. Mitsubishi built more than 90 in Japan, with final assembly at its San Angelo plant in Texas.
In 1985 Beechcraft bought the rights to the design, along with unfinished airframes, and renamed it the Beechjet 400. FAA certification came in May 1986, the month the first Beechcraft-assembled aircraft was rolled out, powered by JT15D-5 engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. The improved 400A followed in September 1989. It gained a larger cabin, a higher gross weight, upgraded engines with more power and a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 flight deck, which together gave more range and a better-appointed interior.
The name changed again after Raytheon bought the Hawker business jet line in 1993, when the 400A was rebranded as the Hawker 400. Production carried on through the changes of ownership until 2008, and across all versions more than 950 had been delivered by 2009.
Technical Specifications
General information
| Model name | Beechjet 400A |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| Aircraft category | light jet |
| ICAO Designator | BE40 |
| Start/End of Production | 1990 - 2008 |
| Number of pilot(s) | 2 |
Performances
| Range (with IFR reserves) | 1180 NM (2185 km) |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 1519 NM (2813 km) |
| Cruise speed | 449 kts (832 km/h) |
| Max Operating Speed – VMO | 320 KIAS |
| Max Mach Operating Speed - MMO | Mach 0.79 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed - LRC | 410 KTAS |
| Approach Speed | 111 kts |
| Takeoff Distance | 1308 m |
| Average Landing Distance | 902 m |
| Rate of Climb | 3770 ft/min |
| Service Ceiling | 45000 ft |
| Thrust | 2965 lbf |
Aircraft technology
| Engine type | Turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 |
| Avionics | Collins Pro Line 4 |
Dimensions and capacity
| Aircraft length | 14.8 m |
|---|---|
| Aircraft height | 4.24 m |
| Wing span | 13.3 m |
| Cabin height | 1.47 m (4.83 ft) |
| Cabin length | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Cabin width | 1.5 m (4.92 ft) |
| Baggage volume | 1.59 m3 |
| Seats (standard config) | 7 |
| Seats (max) | 11 |
| Suitcases | 5 |
| Carry-on luggage | 3 |
| Maximum payload | 975 kg |
| Maximum TakeOff Weight - MTOW | 7303 kg |
| Maximum Landing Weight - MLW | 7121 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 2785 L |
FAQ
What range does the Beechjet 400A have?
With IFR reserves it flies 1,180 nm (2,185 km), depending on the passenger load, the weather and the cruise speed chosen. That is enough for regional routes such as Miami from New York, Athens from London or Istanbul from Paris without a fuel stop. Its ferry range is 1,519 nm.
Beechjet 400A or Embraer Phenom 300: how do they compare?
They are light jets from different generations. The 400A dates from the late 1980s, seats seven in standard layout and flies 1,180 nm (2,185 km). Embraer's Phenom 300 arrived in the 2000s, seats six and reaches around 2,010 nm (3,723 km), with more modern avionics and engines that use less fuel. For shorter routes the 400A is still a sound choice, while the Phenom 300 makes sense when range or newer technology matters more.
What did the Hawker 400XP improve over the Beechjet 400A?
The 400XP is the improved successor, with a heavier maximum take-off weight, engines with more power and updated avionics. The interior was redesigned for passenger comfort, and fuel efficiency is slightly better than on the 400A.
What runway does a Beechjet 400A need, and can it use London City?
It needs about 1,308 m to take off and an average of 902 m to land, varying with conditions. The 400A is not certified for steep approaches, so London City is not an option. Even so, most regional airports and dedicated business aviation airfields remain within reach.
Gallery
Figures are published manufacturer data, shown for illustration only. Images are generated for this concept and show the Beechjet 400A type, not a specific aircraft. Beechcraft and Beechjet 400A are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify the aircraft.