Hawker Beechcraft filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and is currently in exclusive negotiations with Superior Aviation Beijing, which has placed a stalking-horse bid to buy Hawker Beechcraft for $1.79 billion. However, the Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer will ultimately be sold in a public auction, meaning it is still very much up for grabs.
Cessna Aircraft parent company Textron and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer were believed to be among the interested bidders during the closed-bid process in which Superior Aviation prevailed. But the sale of Hawker Beechcraft, which was founded in Wichita by Walter Beech in 1932, to a Chinese company doesn’t sit well with many. Likewise, selling it to another general/business aviation aircraft manufacturer will just result in fewer competitors, which really isn’t good for customers, the supplier base or even the overall industry.
Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group. He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion, the student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot magazine, he joined AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.
