WICHITA, Kan.  -  Hawker Beechcraft has asked a bankruptcy court to allow it to back out of warranties and other support obligations for its discontinued Hawker 4000 and Premier I and IA aircraft.
     The Wichita-based plane maker argued in a court filing Thursday that this was a critical step toward long-term profitability and growth after it emerges from bankruptcy.
     The company says the cost of warranty and maintenance-support obligations for those aircraft could amount to tens of millions of dollars over the next five years.  The attorney for the committee of affected aircraft owners did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.  A hearing was set for Nov. 29.