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Bombardier Learjet 85 Aircraft Is In Full Production By Jim Douglas |
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May 13, 2012 - Bombardier Aerospace has made significant
progress on its all new Learjet 85 aircraft. Work on the
two first flight test aircraft and the complete aircraft
static test article is well underway, with the
production of hundreds of composite components,
including the unique 32-foot composite pressure
fuselage.
The Learjet 85 is the latest Learjet development program
by aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace. The
program was launched on October 30, 2007 and a mockup of
the aircraft was unveiled in October 2008 at the NBAA
show in Orlando. The Learjet 85 fits between the midsize and the super midsize segments of the market. It will be the first Bombardier Aerospace jet to feature a composite structure and will be Learjet's first composite structure business jet designed for type certification under FAR-25. |
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The plane is expected to have a high-speed cruise of Mach
0.82 and a transcontinental range of up to 3,000 nautical
miles (5,556 km).
The first shipments of wing spars and skins,
manufactured at Bombardier's site in Belfast, Northern Ireland,
have arrived at the Quer?taro site, where wing assembly has
started. Additionally, major supplier components, such as the
aircraft's Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307B engines, are now on
site at the final assembly line in Wichita. A ground breaking ceremony on April 30th
marked the official start of the next phase of the Learjet
Wichita site expansion plan, which includes building a new
production flight facility, paint facilities and a new delivery
center to support the Learjet 85 aircraft. "We're entering an exciting phase of the
program," said Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager,
Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Our sites are moving
full speed ahead and the production of the first flight test
aircraft is progressing very well. We have solid momentum in all
areas and it's great to see the focus and commitment of our
Bombardier employees and suppliers worldwide as we assemble our
first test aircraft and prepare for first flight." |