KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Bombardier awaits FAA go-ahead for shortened super-light aircraft in time to carve a dominant share of market
Bombardier is poised to receive US Federal Aviation Administration certification for its Learjet 40 light business jet within the next couple of weeks, one year after the aircraft's unveiling at the Farnborough air show. Transport Canada approval is expected to follow shortly afterwards, leading to European Joint Aviation Authorities validation and service entry in the first quarter of next year.
The Learjet 40 is a shortened version of the super-light Learjet 45 and is designed as a quick, low-risk venture for the Canadian manufacturer, which is keen to retain a foothold in the light business jet market following the removal from production late last year of its Learjet 31A.
"The 40 is a logical aircraft for first-time jet owners or those transitioning from turboprop aircraft. It also provides a stepping stone into Bombardier's seamless product line," says Bombardier vice-president development aircraft programmes Dave Schenck.
Two test vehicles have chalked up 200h of flying time combined, Schenck adds.
"We received certification on the prototype - a deplugged Learjet 45 - on 11 July and are now awaiting a certificate of airworthiness for the production aircraft. This aircraft will then be sent to our Tuscon, Arizona completion centre and following interior installation, will be used as a corporate demonstrator," he says.
The Learjet 40 has the same wing, engines, avionics and systems as the Learjet 45, but a shorter fuselage, seating six passengers compared with its stablemate's eight. A 620mm (24.5in) plug has been removed from the forward fuselage, rear-fuselage fuel tank capacity is reduced and the optional auxiliary power unit eliminated to rebalance the aircraft.
The Learjet 40 is competitively priced at $7.73 million, says Scott Wight, manager programmes strategy and planning, and beats the payload/range performance of its rival light jets, he says, notably the $7.56 million Cessna Citation Encore. The Learjet 40 has a Mach 0.8 high-speed cruise capability, 51,000ft (15,500m) ceiling and 3,395km (1,834nm) range with four passengers - an increase of 30nm over the manufacturer's original projection.
Bombardier is, with the Learjet 40, aiming for a dominant share of the light jet market with around 500 orders predicted, says Wight, adding that North America is forecast to account for 70% of the market, followed by Europe with 15%.
Source: Flight International
