May 4, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland – Bombardier Aerospace today shared additional information on its
Learjet 85 program development. Having successfully exited the Joint Definition Phase in
February 2010, Bombardier Learjet is now working with over 40 suppliers worldwide in the detail
design phase. Composite tooling manufacturing for the first aircraft and composite readiness
testing are progressing as planned, and on March 30, 2010, the Queretaro manufacturing
facility was granted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permission for parts conformity. All
aircraft performance objectives continue to be achieved and the program is on schedule for
entry into service in 2013.
“The Learjet 85 aircraft program is on track, and 2010 will be a very exciting year, as we release
over 6,000 detail drawings, build over 1,500 tools, commission our Mexico factory and begin
production,” said Ralph Acs, Vice President, Learjet 85, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The
system design has matured and its installation and integration are on target.
Construction on our Mexico factory is progressing rapidly and we will begin manufacturing components in the
new facility this summer. "Product development milestones
A significant portion of the composite tooling manufacturing process for the production of the
first Learjet 85 aircraft is under way, and will be completed before the end of this year. Over
1,500 tools will be designed and built as part of this process.
With authorization granted by the FAA, Bombardier is now the first aircraft manufacturer in the
US to achieve permission to manufacture Category 1 and 2 aircraft parts in Mexico, an
important milestone, as production of the first Learjet 85 aircraft parts will begin this year.
The first three stages of composite technology readiness, parallel learning and testing activities
to validate the implementation of new technologies on the platform, were successfully
completed. The process, now in its fourth stage, is progressing as planned and will continue
through 2010.
Mexico and Wichita site progress
Construction and readiness of manufacturing and assembly facilities for the Learjet 85 aircraft
are also progressing according to plan. In Queretaro, the building’s foundation and shell
structure are complete, and the facility will be ready for occupancy in June, with parts
manufacturing set to begin in July. Expansion plans at the Wichita facilities, which will regroup
all operations from assembly to delivery of the Learjet 85 aircraft, are set to start towards the
end of 2010.
The new Learjet 85 aircraft - redefining the midsize business jet class
Launched on October 30, 2007, the new Learjet 85 aircraft will be the first Bombardier
Aerospace jet to feature an all-composite structure and will be the first all-composite structure
business jet designed for type certification under U.S. Federal Aviation Administration FAR
Part 25.
An extraordinary advancement in next-generation flight, the Learjet 85 aircraft’s all-composite
structure will allow Learjet aircraft designers to maximize cabin comfort while minimizing drag
and improving performance.
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