Announces Six-Plane Launch Order From ExecuJet

Bombardier's plan for its upcoming Learjet 85 is coming together. On the heels of last week's announcement that Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW307B will power the all-composite bizjet, the planemaker announced Monday at EBACE2008 its newest plane will feature Rockwell Collins' new Pro Line Fusion avionics suite.

This is the second application of Pro Line Fusion in a Bombardier aircraft platform. The top-of-the-line avionics suite was first launched as a key component of Bombardier's Global Vision flight deck in September 2007.

"The Global Vision flight deck has raised the cockpit environment to a whole new level and we are thrilled to offer Learjet 85 operators a flight deck derived from best," said David Coleal, vice-president and general manager, Learjet.

"We are delighted to team with Bombardier on this all new aircraft project," said Denny Helgeson, vice-president and general manager of Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. "Pro Line Fusion will offer Learjet 85 pilots key technological advancements such as synthetic vision and incorporates information management technologies designed to reduce pilot workload."

Bombardier also announced that ExecuJet Aviation Group of Zurich, Switzerland has placed firm orders for six Learjet 85 aircraft. The order is valued at approximately $103 million US, based on the 2008 list price of typically equipped aircraft.

"The Learjet 85 program was met with tremendous customer approval from the start, when we first began introducing it to customers last fall. From the very beginning, ExecuJet was keen to invest in this exciting new platform," said Bob Horner, senior vice-president, sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "We are encouraged by ExecuJet's interest in our newest Learjet model, and their continued interest in our wide range of business jets."

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ExecuJet Aviation Group has operations in four regions -Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia. The new Learjet 85 aircraft will join ExecuJet's existing charter fleet which includes 29 Bombardier business jets operating worldwide.

FMI: www.bombardier.com, www.rockwellcollins.com, www.execujet.net