In the Works: Bombardier Learjet 85

By Matt Thurber

July 1, 2008
Aircraft

Bombardier has chosen its facility in Querétaro, Mexico, to manufacture the composite structure for the Learjet 85. This facility, which began operations in 2006, already manufactures wiring harnesses and structural components for other Bombardier aircraft.

As with its other airplanes, Bombardier is responsible for design and certification of the Learjet 85 and is partnering with other companies for certain components and processes and with its own subsidiaries to manufacture the aircraft, according to David Coleal, vice president and general manager for the Learjet product line. One strategic partner, for example, is Grob Aerospace, which is helping design the wing, fuselage and empennage and will also manufacture structural components for the flight test and initial production airframes. Production processes developed by Grob will later be transferred to Bombardier’s Querétaro facility.

After Querétaro is up and running on composites manufacturing, the wings, fuselage and empennage will be shipped to Bombardier in Wichita, for final assembly and completion. “It’s the same process as [for] the Challenger 300,” Coleal said, “a culmination of different parts,” meaning that Bombardier either builds all the components using its own factories around the world or (as with the Learjet 40/45 empennage built in Taiwan) using capabilities of other vendors, then assembles the finished airplane in Wichita or Montreal.

The Learjet 85 will be the first composite business jet certified to FAA Part 25 standards. Bombardier also announced that it selected Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW307B turbofan to power the Learjet 85 and long-lasting brushless starter/generators by Innovative Power Solutions. Entry into service is scheduled for the 2012/2013 timeframe, with Bombardier’s Flexjet fractional share operation scheduled for early deliveries.

Back

Stevens Aviation Delivers First Lear4Ever Aircraft August 26, 2008 Business aircraft maintenance, modification and completions firm Stevens Aviation today delivered the first Lear4Ever–an upgraded Learjet 35–to... [more]
Signs Point To Gulfstream G250 Launch Soon August 21, 2008 Two weeks before Gulfstream Aerospace unveiled the G650 on March 13, a JP Morgan analyst report said the Savannah, Ga.-based aircraft... [more]
Cessna Reaches Milestones for Mustang, CJ4 August 21, 2008 Cessna Aircraft yesterday delivered the 100th Citation Mustang at the Independence, Kan. plant where it manufactures the very light jet. This... [more]
P&WC and Eclipse Probing PW610F Carbon Concern August 19, 2008 Pratt & Whitney Canada, manufacturer of the PW610F engine that powers the Eclipse 500 very light jet, and Eclipse Aviation are jointly... [more]
Cessna’s Columbus Sails through Wind-tunnel Tests August 14, 2008 Cessna yesterday said it completed a series of wind-tunnel tests for its large-cabin Citation Columbus. Results from the tests in low- and... [more]