Bombardier has received Federal Aviation Administration approval for the Learjet 45XR business jet and will begin deliveries of the superlight aircraft at the end of the month. The Learjet 45XR, an enhanced-performance Learjet 45, will become the third new Bombardier type to enter service this year after the January handover of the first Learjet 40 and Challenger 300 business jets. The Honeywell TFE731-20BR-powered 45XR is designed to provide better hot-and-high performance than the 731-20AR equipped 45, which remains in service, Bombardier says, as well as greater payload-range capabilities through a 455kg (1,000lb) increase in maximum take-off weight. A 45XR retrofit will also be available to 45 operators from the end of the month. European certification is set for the end of the year.
Source: Flight International
