Bombardier Aerospace has marked the 40th anniversary of the first flight of a Learjet aircraft by certifying the latest addition to its Learjet family, a light business jet appropriately designated the Bombardier Learjet 40. The aircraft, which was introduced initially at the 2002 Farnborough Air Show, was awarded certification from the FAA on July 11, less than 11 months after its first flight on August 30, 2002. FAA certification was officially announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2003. The first Certificate of Airworthiness was awarded to serial number 45-2001 on September 18, 2003.

"The Bombardier Learjet 40 bears the distinctive profile of the Learjet family and it's fitting that it has been certified and will enter service 40 years after the first Learjet flew," said Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

"The development and certification of this airplane proceeded very smoothly, allowing it to be the quickest Learjet to market since that first Learjet 23. Its great value and versatility makes it such an exciting addition to our product line," he added.

"The Bombardier Learjet 40 offers a combination of performance and comfort that set the standard for this class of aircraft," Mr. Edwards noted. "For example, it can cruise at speeds up to Mach 0.81 (534 mph; 859 km/hr), it has a maximum range of 1,857 nautical miles with four passengers, a crew of two and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) reserves. It can operate at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet. With full fuel and a maximum payload it will fly up to 1,762 nautical miles at Mach 0.73 (481 mph), and will lead its class in terms of payload-range capability for all missions with payloads greater than 1,000 pounds."

The Learjet 40 provides a 17 feet, 7 inches long cabin, with an oval cross-section of four feet, 10.5-inches high by five feet, three inch wide. These dimensions result in a cabin that is at least 20 per cent larger that the competition. The interior configuration sports a forward club seating arrangement and a flat floor that translates into available seating for up to seven.

Compared to the original Bombardier Learjet 45, it offers redesigned seats which are two inches (5.08 cm) wider and result in six inches of additional legroom and a full-size galley, full-across aft lavatory, and a Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lighting system, which lasts longer, and is more robust while emitting less heat.

The Bombardier Learjet 40 also offers plenty of storage and baggage space. Its cabin is equipped with the latest in communication and entertainment technology and its flight deck features the latest state-of-the-art engine instrument and crew alerting systems (EICAS), an advanced avionics system unique to its class which provides pilots with improved situational awareness.

FMI: www.bombardier.com