The Private Jet Beechcraft Premier: History, Performance, and What It Takes to Operate It
Few light jets have a story as distinctive as the Beechcraft Premier. When it entered service in 2001, it was the first business jet to earn FAA certification with a composite fuselage, a technical leap that gave it a wider cabin and a higher cruise speed than most of its rivals. Production ended more than a decade ago, yet the Premier I and Premier IA remain active in private flight departments, owner-flown operations, and charter fleets around the world.
This guide explains where the Premier came from, how it performs, what its cabin and cockpit offer, and what operators should understand about the pilots and maintenance professionals needed to fly it safely. Whether you own a Premier, manage one, or are considering adding one to your fleet, the aircraft's unique design shapes almost every staffing and operational decision you will make.
Origins: Raytheon's Clean-Sheet Light Jet
Design work on the Premier began in early 1994 at Raytheon Aircraft under the preliminary designation PD-374. The goal was to compete with Cessna's CitationJet family by offering strong jet performance at light-jet acquisition and operating costs. The aircraft was officially launched at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in September 1995, and construction of the first prototype started in late 1996.
The prototype rolled out on August 19, 1998, and flew for the first time on December 22, 1998. Four prototypes supported the flight-test program, and the FAA issued the Model 390 type certificate on March 23, 2001. Raytheon celebrated the milestone as the first certified business jet with a composite fuselage, its first clean-sheet business jet, and its first new certified airplane in more than a decade.
According to Conklin & de Decker, the Model 390 was also the first all-new, in-house design from the Beech/Hawker engineering team since the Beech Duke in 1966. AOPA notes that the Premier was the only jet carrying the Beechcraft name that was designed in-house, since the earlier Beechjet originated with Mitsubishi.
The Composite Fuselage: Why It Mattered
The Premier's defining feature is its fuselage, built from carbon fiber and epoxy over a honeycomb core. The technology drew on composite manufacturing experience from the Beech Starship program. Because the structure is built without conventional internal frames, its walls are thin, which frees up interior width without adding weight.
The approach also changed manufacturing. Conklin & de Decker reports that a Premier fuselage could be produced in about one day, compared with one to two weeks for a conventional aluminum airframe.
The wings, by contrast, are traditional aluminum, swept 20 degrees for speed. That combination of a light composite fuselage and a swept metal wing is what gave the Premier its reputation as one of the fastest aircraft in its class.
The design did come with trade-offs. Early aircraft were known for cabin noise, and composite fibers could show through the paint. AOPA also reports that the original Premier I suffered from grabby brakes, an automated lift-dump system that might not deploy after a bounced landing, and a relatively basic cockpit display arrangement.
From Premier I to Premier IA
Hawker Beechcraft addressed many of those issues with the Premier IA, certified on September 22, 2005, and introduced in 2006 at a price of roughly $7 million. Both versions share the same Model 390 type certificate, airframe, and engines.
Key Premier IA improvements included:
Lift dump: The automated system was replaced with a pilot-operated handle on the center console.
Brakes: The braking system was revised to improve ground handling.
Avionics: The Collins Pro Line 21 suite gained a copilot primary flight display, geo-referenced electronic charts, and satellite weather capability.
Cabin: Reworked overhead ducting increased usable headroom and quieted the environmental system, while redesigned sidewalls and window surrounds added slightly more usable width.
Exterior finish: A new finishing process covered the exposed carbon fibers.
Approximately 292 Premiers were built across both variants before production stopped. Published sources differ slightly on the split between Premier I and Premier IA deliveries, but the total of about 290 airframes is consistent.
Beechcraft Premier IA Specifications
The figures below come from published manufacturer data summarized by Wikipedia and AOPA. Real-world performance depends on payload, weather, altitude, and pilot technique.
Specification | Premier IA |
Crew | 1 (single-pilot certified) |
Passengers | 6 to 7 |
Length | 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m) |
Wingspan | 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m) |
Height | 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) |
Maximum takeoff weight | 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) |
Fuel capacity | About 3,670 lb (1,665 kg) |
Maximum payload | About 1,400 lb (635 kg) |
Engines | 2 × Williams International FJ44-2A, 2,300 lbf thrust each |
Maximum cruise speed | 454 KTAS (Mach 0.80 MMO) |
Service ceiling | 41,000 ft |
Ferry range | About 1,480 nm |
Takeoff distance (MTOW, sea level, ISA) | 3,792 ft |
Landing distance (MLW) | 3,177 ft |
Cabin (L × W × H) | 13 ft 6 in × 5 ft 6 in × 5 ft 5 in |
Avionics | Collins Pro Line 21 |
Range in Practice
Headline range figures for the Premier IA are often quoted near 1,400 nautical miles, but those numbers assume light loads and ideal conditions. Wikipedia's data shows the aircraft can carry four passengers about 1,105 nm, or two passengers about 1,365 nm. AOPA describes the Premier as typically a 700- to 900-nautical-mile airplane, with an experienced pilot reporting that he could stretch it to about 1,100 nm with a light load and the right altitude.
This distinction matters for mission planning. The Premier excels on fast regional trips, such as South Florida to the Carolinas or short international hops to the Bahamas, but long overwater legs with limited alternates may challenge its reserves.
Speed Versus Runway Performance
The swept wing that delivers the Premier's speed also raises its approach speeds. AOPA reports that the Premier is roughly 35 knots faster than the Cessna Citation CJ2+, but its landing reference speeds are about 10 knots higher and its runway distances are 400 to 500 feet longer. Flaps cover about 75 percent of the wing's trailing edge, so computer-controlled hydraulic spoilers assist the ailerons in roll.
Cabin and Baggage
The Premier's cabin is one of its strongest selling points. Its width is comparable to the larger Citation Excel, though with less headroom, and its seating area length is similar to a CJ2. A typical layout includes a four-seat club arrangement, two aft seats, and an enclosed aft lavatory.
Baggage capacity is generous for the class. The aft compartment, located beneath the left engine, offers 44 cubic feet and holds up to 450 pounds, which is large enough for golf clubs and skis. A forward compartment holds an additional 150 pounds.
Cockpit, Systems, and Handling
The Premier is powered by two Williams FJ44-2A turbofans managed by an electronic engine control system. AOPA explains that this system provides FADEC-like functions with a single digital channel and a mechanical backup, rather than dual digital channels. The aircraft uses panel-mounted yokes, which make the cockpit easier to enter and exit than jets with floor-mounted control columns.
Pilots generally describe the Premier as fast, responsive, and enjoyable to fly. One former F-14 and airline pilot interviewed by AOPA called it the closest thing to a civilian fighter he had flown. At the same time, the aircraft has a reputation for lengthy, complex checklists and a demanding startup sequence. Before each flight, pilots must test about 10 automated systems using an overhead test knob, including fire detection and landing-gear warnings.
Many later-production Premier IA aircraft have been upgraded with dual flight management systems, synthetic vision, WAAS, and ADS-B capability, so equipment varies considerably from one airframe to another.
Type Ratings and Pilot Qualifications
Every pilot who acts as pilot in command of a Premier needs a type rating. The FAA lists two designations for the aircraft:
RA-390: Requires a second-in-command.
RA-390S: Authorizes single-pilot operation.
Initial training is intensive. A pilot writing in Twin & Turbine described a 16-day Premier single-pilot program at the FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training center in Wichita, which included more than 80 hours of ground school, 8 hours in a procedures trainer, 14 hours in a full-motion Level D simulator, and a practical test lasting about five and a half hours. In-aircraft programs are also available from independent providers, and pilots must complete recurrent training to satisfy the FAA's pilot proficiency requirements under 14 CFR 61.58.
Insurance requirements add another layer. One aviation insurance broker, BWI, has described qualified Premier pilots as holding at least a commercial certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings, around 3,000 total hours, 1,000 multi-engine hours, and 50 hours in make and model. Sunset Aviation Insurance notes that single-pilot operations with transitioning or lower-time pilots are among the most difficult Beechcraft risks to insure.
For operators, these requirements narrow the candidate pool considerably. A Premier pilot search often focuses on:
FAA ATP or commercial certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings
RA-390 or RA-390S type rating, or a willingness to train
Light-jet and turbine experience, ideally with Pro Line 21 avionics
Single-pilot judgment, workload management, and strong safety habits
Time in type that meets insurance underwriter minimums
Maintenance and Ownership Considerations
When Hawker Beechcraft filed for bankruptcy in 2012, it stopped business jet production, and the company emerged in 2013 as Beechcraft Corporation. Textron acquired Beechcraft in a deal that closed in early 2014, creating Textron Aviation. No additional Premiers were built, and the planned Premier II, later rebranded as the Hawker 200, never entered production.
Today, every Premier on the market is pre-owned. Support is available through Textron Aviation's service network, which serves both Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. AOPA notes that engine time and enrollment in an engine maintenance program are major factors in a Premier's resale value.
Because the fuselage is composite, the aircraft also benefits from technicians who understand composite inspection and repair, in addition to standard turbine engine, avionics, and hydraulic systems expertise. Operators often look for:
FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificated technicians with light-jet experience
Familiarity with Williams FJ44 engines and Collins Pro Line 21 avionics
Composite structure inspection and repair knowledge
Inspection Authorization (IA) for return-to-service sign-offs
Strong documentation habits for records, airworthiness directives, and engine program compliance
Who Flies the Premier Today
The Premier appeals to owner-operators who want a fast, roomy, single-pilot jet, corporate flight departments with regional travel needs, and charter companies serving short- to medium-length trips. Its combination of speed and cabin width at a pre-owned price point keeps demand alive, but its specialized type rating, insurance thresholds, and maintenance profile mean that the right crew is just as important as the right airframe.
Staffing Your Beechcraft Premier Operation With OSI Recruit
A Premier is only as safe and dependable as the people who fly and maintain it. Finding a pilot who holds an RA-390S rating, meets insurance minimums, and fits your operation's culture can take months without the right network. Locating a technician who understands composite structures, Williams engines, and Pro Line 21 avionics can be just as challenging.
OSI Recruit specializes in aviation recruitment for private aviation operators, flight departments, and charter companies.
Our team understands the credentials, type ratings, and screening standards that matter for light-jet operations, and we focus on long-term partnerships rather than one-time placements.
When you partner with OSI Recruit, you gain:
Aviation-specific expertise: Recruiters who understand type ratings, Part 91 and Part 135 requirements, and insurance-driven hiring criteria.
Thorough screening: A structured process covering credentials, records, background checks, and safety-culture fit, as outlined in our guide to the 5-step screening process every private aviation employer should demand.
Flexible placement options: Direct-hire, contract, and temporary solutions explained on our placement options page.
Transparent partnership: Clear pricing and responsive communication from first call to final placement.
Ready to staff your Premier with qualified, safety-focused professionals?
Contact OSI Recruit today to discuss your pilot and maintenance hiring needs, or learn more about our aviation recruitment services for employers.
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Sources
Wikipedia, "Beechcraft Premier I": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Premier_I
AOPA, "Raytheon Premier IA: Diary of a Teenage Jet" (February 2021): https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2021/february/pilot/raytheon-premier-ia
Conklin & de Decker, "Beechcraft Premier I – Operating Costs & Specs": https://conklindedecker.jetsupport.com/details/Beechcraft%20Premier%20I
Business Air News, "Beechcraft Premier Handbook": https://www.businessairnews.com/hb_aircraftpage.html?recnum=PD390
GlobalSecurity.org, "Raytheon Aircraft": https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/industry/raytheon-aircraft.htm
Airport Technology, "Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1": https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/raytheon_premier_1/
Wikipedia, "Hawker Beechcraft": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raytheon_Aircraft_Company
Quantum Jets, "Beechcraft Premier IA: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide": https://www.quantumjets.com/aircraft/beechcraft-premier-ia-specs-performance-guide
FindAPilot, "List of FAA Airman Certificate Type Ratings": https://www.findapilot.com/blog/list-of-faa-airman-certificate-type-ratings-11/05/2010
Twin & Turbine, "Train Like You Fly, Fly Like You Train: Beechcraft Premier Type Rating": https://www.twinandturbine.com/train-like-you-fly-fly-like-you-train-beechcraft-premier-type-rating/
AEROCOR, "RA-390 Beechcraft Premier I/IA Pilot Training": https://www.aerocor.com/aerocor-flight-training
BWI, "Beechcraft Premier I / IA Insurance Cost": https://bwifly.com/beechcraft-premier-i-ia-insurance-cost/
Sunset Aviation Insurance, "Beechcraft Airplane Insurance": https://sunsetais.com/airplanes/beechcraft/
Flying411, "Beechcraft Premier 1A vs Phenom 300": https://flying411.com/blog/beechcraft-premier-1a-vs-phenom-300/596
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