WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Hawker Beechcraft on Thursday defended its plan to pay more than $5.3 million in bonuses to eight top executives, telling a bankruptcy court that its managers are a “talented and capable group” with much work left to do before the company can emerge from bankruptcy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein didn’t immediately rule on the Wichita, Kan.-based plane maker’s request during a hearing in New York, but he did approve a $1.9 million bonus plan for 31 lower management-level employees, according to the company and machinists union, both which had representatives at the hearing.