Raytheon Aircraft Services Limited (RASL), based at Hawarden airport in North Wales, has developed a solution for RVSM for early model Hawker aircraft.

The solution for HS/BAe125-700 and ADC-80 equipped BAe125-800 aircraft was developed by

RASL’s in-house CAA-approved design team.

Three 125-800 and eight 125-700 operators have chosen RASL’s solution so far.

“What we are offering provides older Hawker 125 series aircraft operators with a cost-effective solution that can be integrated directly in the build and technical data for each aircraft,” said Howard Povey, RASL’s sales manager.

“This is held by Raytheon Aircraft Company through our direct link with the aircraft’s type

certificate holder.

“With RASL holding responsibility for the testing, installation and certification of the major modification programme, operators can be assured of a value-added solution for their aircraft.”

RVSM has become mandatory for flying at certain flight levels across the North Atlantic and aircraft not able to conform to the stringent requirements are having to take longer routes or fly at less efficient altitudes.

Cranfield Aerospace is providing the flight-testing and data-gathering for this programme. To date, RASL has flown ten series 700s and two series 800s.

Once RASL has secured CAA group approval, it then plans to pursue Federal Aviation Administration approval.

This will allow the company to to offer its RVSM solution for the series 700 and 800 aircraft with the

ADC-80K, through the Raytheon Aircraft Series network of FBOs in the US and through approved

Hawker service facilities throughout the world.