Learjet 40, Challenger 300 and Global 5000: Say Hello.
Bombardier Aerospace Sunday kicked off the 45th
Paris International Air Show by displaying its three newest
business jets - the performance driven Bombardier Learjet 40(i)
light aircraft, the Bombardier Challenger 300(i) super-midsize
aircraft and the powerful Bombardier Global 5000(i) super-large
business jet. All are appearing at Le Bourget for the first time.
The Bombardier Challenger 300 will enter service later this year,
while the Learjet 40 and the Global 5000 aircraft will enter
service in 2004.
"Bombardier now offers a total of nine business
jets in three distinct families - Learjet, Challenger and Global.
It is a great pleasure to have our latest aircraft mark their Le
Bourget debut simultaneously. Their collective presence clearly
demonstrates Bombardier's continued commitment to business
aviation," stated Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business
Aircraft. "We undoubtedly offer the most modern and versatile line
of business jets in the industry."
"These new aircraft were developed following extensive market
research with business jet owners and operators," said Edwards.
"The resulting aircraft - one in each Bombardier product family -
offer the solutions identified in their respective aircraft
segments better than any other business jet available today."
Bombardier Learjet 40
Making its first international appearance is the Bombardier
Learjet 40. Launched at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2002, the
Learjet 40 is a six-to-seven passenger light jet that combines
superior comfort and low direct operating costs. It offers
unequalled payload/range capabilities, and legendary Learjet
performance and speed.
The aircraft on static at Le Bourget, s/n #45-2001, is the first
Learjet 40 production model. It features the new "Indy" interior,
and has been used for a wide range of evaluations in the flight
test program, accumulating some 60 hours. Certification of the
Learjet 40 is expected this summer and customer deliveries are
scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2004.
Bombardier Challenger 300
Officially launched at the 1999 Paris Air Show as the Bombardier
Continental Business Jet(i), the Bombardier Challenger 300 is
designed to deliver best-of-class value in the emerging
super-midsize business jet category. At a highly competitive price,
it offers true transcontinental range and superior long-range
cruise speed, combined with a full eight-passenger cabin and
operating costs better than current midsize jets.
Making its first ever-public appearance is test aircraft s/n
#20005, which features a fully functional interior. It has been
used predominantly for function and reliability testing since its
first flight on March 8 of this year, and has accumulated more than
259 flight hours.
Bombardier Global 5000
Making its first appearance in Europe, the Bombardier Global
5000 provides the widest and most spacious cabin among super-large
business jets. Launched in February 2002, this high-speed
intercontinental business jet is capable of flying non-stop from
continental Europe to central North America at Mach 0.85 with eight
passengers and three crew. With the shortest balanced field length
of any widebody business jet, the Global 5000 will fly executives
in and out of airfields closer to their point of business.
On display at Le Bourget is the first aircraft, s/n #9127, which
has accumulated 70 hours in the flight test program. Certification
of the Global 5000 business jet is expected during the first
quarter of 2004.