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Learjet 60XR Aircraft establishes world record

LearJetOct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – Bombardier Aerospace has confirmed that its high-performance Learjet 60 XR aircraft set a new speed record on Aug. 8, 2010, flying 4,777 nm (8,847 km) from Wichita, Kansas to São Paulo, Brazil, with one stop in Cali, Colombia, in just 11 hours, 58 minutes.


October 20, 2010  By Wings Magazine

Oct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – Bombardier Aerospace has confirmed that its high-performance
Learjet 60 XR aircraft set a new speed record on Aug. 8, 2010, flying 4,777 nm (8,847 km)
from Wichita, Kansas to São Paulo, Brazil, with one stop in Cali, Colombia, in just
11 hours, 58 minutes. The flight was officially sanctioned by the National Aeronautics
Association (N.A.A.) and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (F.A.I.) on
Sept. 8, 2010.

LearJet  
Left to right – Kerry Swanson, Learjet demonstration pilot, Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO, National Aeronautic Association, and Chris Walker, Learjet demonstration pilot.


 

Bombardier’s Learjet 60 XR business jet departed Wichita Airport (KICT) with a two-person
crew and four passengers. The flight started at a long-range cruise speed of 428 KTAS
(793 km/h), beginning at FL370 and ending at FL430. The aircraft made one 25-minute stop
before departing for its final destination. The average speed was 443.06 mph (750 km/h)
throughout the flight, with average tailwinds of five knots. The Learjet 60 XR aircraft landed,
after flying normal descent and full arrival procedures, at both Cali (SKCL) and
São Paulo (SBKP).

"The aircraft performed a superb takeoff from Wichita Airport at 02:00 local time and climbed
directly to 37,000 ft (11,278 m) in 12 minutes,” stated Chris Walker, Captain, Bombardier
Business Aircraft. The first leg to Cali (2,393 nm/4,432 km) was completed in five hours, 49
minutes, and the subsequent leg continued to São Paulo (2,384 nm/4,415 km), arriving
five hours and 44 minutes later. “This record flight proves the Learjet 60 XR jet’s outstanding
performance capabilities and that by flying the factory-published profiles, the aircraft will deliver
consistent results,” added Kerry Swanson, Captain, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
This new N.A.A.-sanctioned world record for the Learjet 60 XR aircraft represents the fastest
time ever recorded for a civil flight between Wichita and São Paulo and is the seventh speed
record for the aircraft type.

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  • On Sept. 21, 2006, a Learjet 60 aircraft flew Cape Town-Johannesburg non-stop in
    two hours and 59 minutes.
  • On June 14, 2001, a Learjet 60 aircraft connected Wichita-Paris at a record speed of
    505.97 mph (814km/h) in nine hours, 18 minutes and Gander-Paris at 535.48 mph
    (862km/h) in four hours and 42 minutes.
  • On June 12, 1997, a Learjet 60 aircraft flew from Pittsburgh to Gander at a speed of
    529.48 mph (852km/h) in two hours and 35 minutes, and from Pittsburgh to Paris at a
    speed of 486.21 mph (782km/h) in eight hours.
  • On June 7, 1995, a Learjet 60 aircraft linked Wichita to Geneva and Gander to Geneva
    at record speeds of 478.82 mph (771km/h) in ten hours 21 minutes and 481.36 mph
    (775km/h) in five hours, 43 minutes, respectively.

“This new world speed record reiterates that our Learjet family of aircraft offers unparalleled
performance,” said Fabio Rebello, Regional Vice President, Latin America, Bombardier
Business Aircraft. “Learjet aircraft continue to gain popularity in Brazil and currently account for
over 80 per cent of the Bombardier business jet fleet in the country. The Learjet 60 XR aircraft
offers the perfect combination of cabin comfort, speed and efficiency and is an ideal jet for travel
in this region.”

In service since July 2007, the Learjet 60 XR aircraft is a proven model of performance, comfort,
value and versatility in the midsize jet market segment. It delivers a high cruise speed of Mach
0.81 (861 km/h), superior climb capabilities, proven fuel efficiency and low direct operating costs
per nautical mile*.

The jet’s higher operating altitudes – certified to 51,000 ft (15,545 m) –
translate to time savings due to better winds, less traffic and less turbulence. The Learjet 60 XR
aircraft can fly São Paulo-Lima non-stop with four passengers and two crew*. It is now available
with the Signature Series interiors, which combine bold design elements with increased
functionality to bring the large cabin concept to a midsize jet.

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