Monday, November 16, 2009

Wichita planemakers are making sales in the Middle East this week at the Dubai Air Show.

Hawker Beechcraft is finding success as it markets a military trainer plane to international customers. The plane is named the T-6, nicknamed the Texan, and has been built in Wichita for more than a decade.

The U.S. Air Force and Navy have bought hundreds of the T-6 to train new pilots. Now, international customers are buying the latest version.

So far this year, Hawker Beechcraft has sold 59 of the trainers to international buyers, including Israel, Iraq and Morocco.

"The advanced technology of the trainer mirrors the systems and capabilities of today's front-line military aircraft. We are pleased with the positive response we've received and look forward to continued interest from international customers looking to modernize their military pilot trainer forces," Jim Maslowski, President of Hawker Beechcraft’s U.S. and International Government Business said.

Hawker has also announced the delivery of the tenth King Air B-200 to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force for multi-engine pilot training.

Military sales and deliveries are helping Hawker to weather the latest civil aviation downturn.

Also in Dubai, Cessna has announced plane deliveries, including a Citation Mustang to the Egyptian Aviation Academy.

The Dubai Air Show continues throughout the week.