Aircraft manufacturer seeks to take lead among its peers for sustainability

Hawker Beechcraft takes steps to set industry standard by forming coalition to implement recycling program and experimenting with sustainable fuels.

By Control Engineering Staff June 1, 2009

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC)—a manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft—is looking to take the lead in sustainability among aircraft manufacturing companies. Among its first steps was organizing the formation of the Wichita Sustainability Coalition—in which HBC and Wichita State University (WSU) have formed a coalition of local manufacturers to focus on increasing industrial recycling.
In addition, HBC’s Beechcraft Bonanza G36 was the first to fly on Swift Sustainable Fuel and among 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, HBC 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.
Beyond the recycling program with WSU, HBC joined with the university to design and implement a sustainability program throughout all areas of its global business. The HBC sustainability program is focused on excellence in product value, manufacturing leadership, environmental performance, and people and ideas.
Read more about manufacturing-related recycling issues from Control Engineering:

  • Electronics components boardboard adopts environmental tracking service

  • Motor energy-efficiency developments: recycling, efficiency classes

– Edited by David Greenfield , editorial director

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