Revolutionary Beechcraft Premier IA Sets Another Speed Record

Legendary astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson highlights EBACE opening with speed
record flight

GENEVA, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beechcraft Premier IA continues to set
records and firmly keep its reign as the world's fastest single-pilot business
jet. The Premier IA's most recent record was established on May 10 leading
into this year's European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE)
in Geneva, Switzerland. With legendary astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson at the
controls, the Premier IA completed a 627-statute mile (1009 km) trip from
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation's (HBC) International Headquarters in Chester,
U.K. to Geneva in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 30 seconds. Gibson blazed the course
with an average speed of 511.9-mph (823.8 kph).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090518/NE19090 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070322/HBLOGO )

"As was proven again this week, there is no competition for the speed of the
Premier IA," said Brad Hatt, president, Hawker Beechcraft Commercial Aircraft.
"In addition to its speed, the Premier IA is popular in Europe and around the
world for its efficiency and medium-jet sized cabin that is available at a
light jet cost. Time is money and the Premier fulfills both through its speed
and efficiency."

With Gibson at the controls and aircraft owner Robert Kay of the United
Kingdom alongside, the Premier IA's speed record highlighted the beginning of
the week-long Hawker Beechcraft EBACE event.

HBC submitted the trip statistics to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
-- the national authority for overseeing and certifying aviation records -- in
the category Class C-I.E (6,164-13,228 lbs.) Group III (jet engine). The
flight details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

"I like to call the Premier IA a baby rocket ship," Gibson said. "Its speed
and handling qualities are exceptional. It is the type of aircraft that pilots
love to fly."

Speed records are nothing new to Gibson and the Beechcraft Premier. In 2004,
he broke two records previously held by a Cessna Citation when he flew a
Premier I from Seattle, Wash., to Las Vegas, Nev., covering the 866-statute
mile trip in 1:44:09. He followed that with another record trip from Las Vegas
to Wichita, Kan., completing the 995-statute mile distance in 1:49:12.

The Premier IA delivers the performance and capabilities of a much larger jet
while providing the economy and efficiency normally found in light jets. It
has the largest cabin in its class -- at nearly 30 percent larger than what
you find in its nearest competitor. As the first and only composite fuselage
light jet on the market, the Premier IA's composite structure has
unprecedented structural strength, efficiency and extremely high resistance to
fatigue and corrosion. Its fully integrated state-of-the-art avionics suite
combined with the quietest cabin in its class and lowest operating cost make
the Premier IA the best value light jet on the market.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business,
special mission and trainer aircraft -- designing, marketing and supporting
aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals
worldwide. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

This release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, including statements that address activities, events or developments
that we or our management intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will
or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's assumptions and assessments in light of
past experience and trends, current conditions, expected future developments
and other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and
actual results may differ significantly from those envisaged by our
forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those described or implied in the forward-looking
statements are general business and economic conditions, production delays
resulting from lack of regulatory certifications and other factors,
competition in our existing and future markets, lack of market acceptance of
our products and services, the substantial leverage and debt service resulting
from our indebtedness, loss or retirement of key executives and other risks
disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Hawker Beechcraft Corporation

Nicole Alexander of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, +1-316-676-3212,
nicole_alexander@hawkerbeechcraft.com