Aircraft overview

The Beechcraft Premier is a light business jet developed by Raytheon Aircraft, later Beechcraft, to offer jet speed with a cabin larger than many aircraft in its weight class. The Premier I first flew in 1998, received certification in 2001, and was followed by the refined Premier IA from 2006. Production ended in the early 2010s. Its most distinctive engineering feature is a carbon fiber composite fuselage mated to a conventional aluminum wing, a combination intended to maximize cabin volume while keeping weight within the light jet category.

Performance & specifications

Typical cruise performance is around 450 knots at higher altitudes, with a maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. Published range varies with payload, reserves and operating assumptions, but the Premier is generally considered a roughly 1,300 nautical mile aircraft in practical planning. Power comes from two Williams International FJ44-2A turbofan engines, each rated at about 2,300 pounds of thrust. Maximum takeoff weight is 12,500 pounds, with useful load typically around 3,000 pounds depending on equipment and configuration. Buyers should evaluate full fuel payload carefully, as it is a meaningful operating factor in this class.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin is one of the Premier’s main differentiators. It commonly seats six passengers in the cabin, often with a club arrangement and an aft belted lavatory available on many layouts. The composite fuselage gives the aircraft a comparatively wide and tall cabin for a light jet, with a flat floor and good shoulder room. Avionics are typically Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21, not Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective. Equipment varies by year and retrofit history, so WAAS LPV capability, ADS-B compliance, charting, weather display options and software status should be reviewed aircraft by aircraft.

Buying & value

Used market choices are mainly the Premier I and Premier IA. The IA brought cabin refinements, systems updates and avionics improvements, and it usually commands a premium over early Premier I examples. Key pre-purchase items include engine program status, FJ44 maintenance history, landing gear cycles, compliance with service bulletins, avionics upgrade records, pressurization and environmental system condition, and the state of the composite fuselage and windows. The Premier often appeals to buyers comparing late model turboprops, very light jets and other light jets, offering strong speed and cabin space with operating economics and support considerations that should be examined in detail.