BEECHCRAFT

Beechcraft is a manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and owned by Textron Aviation since 2014. The company was founded in 1932 by Walter Beech, Olive Ann Beech, Ted A. Wells, K.K. Shaul, and C.G. Yankey and began operations in an unused Cessna factory. With designer Ted Wells, they developed the first aircraft under the Beechcraft name, the classic Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing, which first flew in November 1932. The company has manufactured a range of aircraft, including single-engine and twin-engined turboprop transports, business jets, and military trainers. Beechcraft was a division of Raytheon and Hawker Beechcraft before being acquired by Textron. The brand maintains a strong reputation in the industry and is widely used worldwide.