Production, authorized modification sites and RVSM package
availability top news
Spirit Wing Aviation of Edmond (OK) has announced that it will
begin producing its “virtually new” SpiritLear early in
2005. The SpiritLear should be priced at
around $2,200,000 for a fully modified aircraft including the
airframe without the original engines, a price the company claims
is below any other airplane offering its combination of speed,
range, and passenger capacity. It will cruise at Mach .81 at
altitudes up to FL 450 while offering operating economies 20 to 30%
lower than the competition.
The SpiritLear has been created by utilizing the “no life
limit” airframe of the durable Learjet 25, replacing the
original GE CJ610 engines with Williams FJ44-2C powerplants,
revitalizing the pressurization, hydraulic, electrical and fuel
systems and updating the avionics to meet Revised Vertical
Separation Minimum (RVSM) requirements.
“While the other companies have been selling the concept
and introducing the idea of a very light, economical business jet,
we’ve built it and flown an airplane that offers better
range, speed and performance with a passenger load of up to eight
people,” said Calvin Burgess, president of Spirit Wing
Aviation, at the 57th National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
Annual Meeting & Convention in Las Vegas (NV).
Burgess noted that the aircraft is now in full FAA certification
testing and the STC is expected from the FAA during the first or
second quarter of 2005. The company will begin modifications at
three authorized service locations immediately upon receipt of the
STC.
“We have accomplished more than 85% of the flight testing
and are on schedule to finish the certification process by early
next year,” he pointed out, adding that “we’ve
done so on time and on budget and without incurring any debt. That
fact, alone, makes us unique among light jet development efforts
because it means we don’t have to wait for funding or reach a
specific number of orders before launching production. We can and
will offer our customers exceptional response and an airplane that
will be in productive service literally years before much of the
competition.”
A proven platform with no life limits on the airframe
Utilizing the Learjet 20 series (excluding the Lear 23) as the
basis for the SpiritLear provides another, easily overlooked
benefit—structural integrity and durability that surpasses
much newer designs. The first business aircraft to be certified to
the same FAR Part 25 standards applied to airliners, the original
Learjets were derived from the “battle tolerant” design
of the Swiss P-16 fighter.
Also like airliners, their 8-spar wings and extremely durable
fuselages are not life limited. Spirit Wing’s only
modification to the airframe consists of damage-tolerant design
improvements to the engine beams and associated structure and the
rebalancing of controls as required.
“Based on the Learjet’s original design and the
inspection and preparation process we perform on the aircraft prior
to beginning the modification, the age of the airframe is a
‘non-issue’ for SpiritLear owners,” Burgess
noted. “In point of fact, the SpiritLear has an expected life
of up to 80,000 hours, much longer than more contemporary
designs.”
Improved aerodynamics, lower stall speeds Because the new
Williams FJ44-2C engines are dimensionally different from the
General Electric CJ610 engines originally installed on the Learjet
20 series aircraft, the SpiritLear’s front engine beam has
been modified and a new rear engine support beam has been
installed, effectively moving the engine nacelle aft sixteen inches
and outboard four inches. A detailed eddy-current and X-ray
inspection of the beam structure and critical fastener holes
ensures that the aircraft satisfies the FAA’s damage
tolerance regulations.
An added feature of the modification is a dramatic reduction in
drag which results from the repositioned engine providing more
engine-induced airflow, thus improving lift over the critical
inboard portion of the wing which, in turn, reduces the angle of
attack, resulting in lower fuel burn and reduced power requirements
for high speed cruise.
Super efficient engines extend range, enhance safety
The Williams FJ44-2C engines utilized on the SpiritLear are
specially modified for this application to allow their thrust to be
reduced to 100 lbs. at idle, resulting in shorter landing
distances. Additionally, by incorporating the FJ44-3 power turbine
sections into the SpiritLear’s engines, more thrust is
available under high altitude, hot day conditions. The engine
features wide chord fan technology, vastly reduced fuel
consumption, and sound attenuation features that ensure the
airplane’s compliance with Stage III noise requirements.
The efficiency of the engine and modifications associated with
its installation further enhance the SpiritLear’s overall
safety. Since current FAR Part 25 requirements prohibit the
coexistence of flammable fluids and ignition sources with engine
rotor burst zones, the original Learjet fuselage fuel tank and its
associated plumbing have been removed. This can be accomplished
without any performance penalty, because the FJ44-2C engines
actually extend the aircraft’s range by approximately 70
percent.
“The development and certification of the SpiritLear has
gone extremely well and we have been pleasantly surprised by its
performance in flight-testing. In a number of instances, it has
exceeded our projections dramatically. We’re extremely
pleased to be able to offer an aircraft that provides exceptional
performance, capacity, safety and economy combined with proven
technology and durability,” concluded Burgess.
Three sites authoritzed to perform SpiritLear mods
Spirit Wing Aviation has authorized three sites to perform the
extensive modifications which transform existing Learjet 25
aircraft into the “virtually new” SpiritLear light
business jet. Three highly-regarded business aviation maintenance
facilities, West Star Aviation of Grand Junction (CO), Banyan Air
Service of Ft. Lauderdale (FL) and General Dynamics Flight and
Aerospace Research Unit in Niagara Falls (NY), will begin reserving
customer slots immediately for the conversions which are expected
to begin during the first or second quarter of 2005, once the
SpiritLear receives a STC from the FAA.
“We are very pleased to have established relationships
with these highly-qualified maintenance and support sites. Their
extensive capabilities, outstanding facilities and experienced
technicians met our strict requirements and will allow us to offer
multiple locations and more rapid turn-times for our customers,"
said Calvin Burgess, president of Spirit Wing.
“We also anticipate converting several of our own aircraft
at our facilities at Guthrie, Oklahoma. In addition, Banyan’s
location and the fact that they hold repair station approvals from
Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina will allow us to better service
potential customers from South America, where a significant number
of Learjet 20 series aircraft are currently based,” he
continued.
About West Star
West Star Aviation is a
full-service repair, maintenance, and modification facility
specializing in Learjets, Hawkers, Falcons, and Cessna Conquests
and Citations. Located adjacent to the 10,500 foot runway at Walker
Field in Grand Junction (CO) West Star also provides avionics
installation and repair and paint and interior refurbishment for
aircraft up to Challenger and Falcon 2000 in size.
The company employs over 325 skilled technicians and support
staff and is recognized industry-wide for its technical expertise
and commitment to superior customer service. It ranked eighth in
the 2004 PRO PILOT Maintenance facility rankings and in the Top 10
in avionics. Recognized as a leader in Learjet maintenance, West
Star has compiled an enviable record over the past six years,
having completed approximately 25% of Learjet 12-year
inspections.
About Banyan
Founded in 1979, Banyan
began in a small 4,000 square foot hangar which served as an
aircraft sales and maintenance facility at the Fort Lauderdale
Executive Airport. The firm received FAA certified repair station
approval, and shortly thereafter, moved to a larger location and
began offering fueling and FBO services.
In 1990, Banyan began offering comprehensive avionics services,
including technical repairs and installations, under its newly
obtained FAA and JAA repair station approval. To compliment the
maintenance department, in 1993, Banyan opened a turbine engine
shop. Located on the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, Banyan is
both an FAA and JAA approved repair station (WD4R618M), holding
additional Venezuelan, Brazilian and Argentinean DGAC maintenance
approvals.
About General Dynamics Flight and Aerospace Research
“General Dynamics Flight and Aerospace Research is
uniquely qualified to serve as an authorized modification site for
the Spirit Lear,” said Calvin Burgess, president of Spirit
Wing Aviation, in announcing the agreement. “When they heard
that we were pursuing a Supplemental Type Certificate to install
Williams engines on Learjet 25s, they contacted us to secure an
early position for their two Learjet ‘in-flight
simulator’ aircraft.
As our discussions progressed, we realized that General
Dynamics’ F&AR unit possessed the capability and capacity
to perform the entire SpiritLear modification and would be an ideal
site for customers in that region. We are very pleased to add them
to our list,” he added.
“This is a unique, but logical opportunity for us, “
noted Lou Knotts, senior manager of the General Dynamics business
unit. “Our primary focus is not aircraft modification, of
course, but we do have 20 years of experience doing system
modifications and integration on Learjets. We have two Lear 25s in
our fly-by-wire testing program, as well as a dozen experienced
technicians and available hangar capacity at our Niagara Falls
site. We will also be among the initial SpiritLear customers, since
the airplane is an ideal platform for our ‘in-flight
simulation’ activities.”
The General Dynamics Flight and Aerospace Research department
also operates a Transonic Wind Tunnel in Buffalo (NY). Its staff
also conducts training at Edwards Air Force Base in California, in
Jacksonville, Florida and Roswell, New Mexico.
RVSM upgrade also available
Spirit Wing Aviation is
also offering owners and operators of Learjet 20 series aircraft an
economical and timely way to comply with the FAA’s Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) requirements. The company is
offering the package as independent installation or, at a
substantial savings, as a part of its SpiritLear conversion.
“With the FAA’s January deadline for implementation
of new RVSM standards, there are limited sites available where
Learjet 20 series operators can get the necessary modifications
done at a reasonable price,” said Calvin Burgess, president
of Spirit Wing Aviation.
“We’ve nearly completed the requirements for a
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) on our SpiritLear conversion,
and another on RVSM, as well. It only makes sense that we would
make RVSM modification slots at our authorized service centers
available to Learjet 20 series operators, regardless of whether
they are SpiritLear customers,” he added.
Spirit Wing will offer its STC through its network of three
authorized SpiritLear conversion locations. The STC is expected to
be granted to Spirit Wing in the first quarter of 2005. It may be
installed by authorized service centers as a component of the
SpiritLear conversion at a cost of $125,000 or independently of the
conversion for $150,000.