Hawker Beechcraft sets industry standard for sustainability

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) is taking the lead in sustainability among aircraft manufacturing companies. HBC organized the formation of the Wichita Sustainability Coalition, implemented a sustainability program throughout all areas of its business and expanded its company recycling program. In addition, the company's Beechcraft Bonanza G36 was the first to fly on Swift Sustainable Fuel and one of the first to fly on unleaded fuel.

"Our sustainability program and the Wichita Sustainability Coalition are two steps we are taking to improve our workplace and community," said Ed Petkus, vice president, Hawker Beechcraft Product Development and Engineering. "This is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen our sustainability processes and reduce our environmental footprint."

HBC's goal is to improve sustainability for the entire life cycle of an aircraft – from engineering and manufacturing to customer operations and product retirement. Earlier this year, HBC partnered with Wichita State University (WSU) to form the Wichita Sustainability Coalition, an alliance of local manufacturers. The coalition is focusing on increasing industrial recycling.

Last year, HBC created a team that joined with WSU to design and implement a sustainability program throughout all areas of HBC's global business. The HBC sustainability program is focused on excellence in these key areas – product value, manufacturing leadership, environmental performance, and people and ideas.

In other efforts, HBC recently announced the successful test flights of its Beechcraft Bonanza G36 on unleaded aviation fuel and Swift Sustainable Fuel. In celebration of Earth Day last month, HBC launched an expanded recycling program at its facilities in Wichita, Kan. The company is committed to reducing waste sent to local landfills by 60 percent.