More Power!

Bombardier announced Monday the first five Learjet 40XR high-performance light jets began flying in January 2006 with operators based in North and Latin America, including three with Bombardier's Flexjet fractional ownership program.

Representatives with Bombardier tell Aero-News the company expects the 40XR to build on Learjet's reputation for speed and reliability, as well as featuring improvements that make it the ideal choice for short mission requirements.

"With the fastest speed in its class and shorter takeoff distances under hot and high conditions, the Learjet 40 XR can easily tackle the most demanding mission requirements," said Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vice-president, new aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "The Learjet 40 XR offers superior performance, value and comfort. It exemplifies our continued investment in our Learjet product family."

Launched at NBAA 2004, the Learjet 40 XR business jet surpasses the performance of the successful Learjet 40 aircraft by flying even further out of challenging airfields, and by delivering faster time-to-climb performance and shorter flight times.

Newly upgraded Honeywell TFE731-BR twin turbofan engines power the aircraft. In service on the Learjet 45 XR super light business jet since June 2004, these engines meet the high performance needs of discerning operators.

In addition to delivering new Learjet 40 XR jets from its Wichita facility, Bombardier is also offering Learjet 40 customers the opportunity to upgrade their aircraft. Bombardier issued its BR engine retrofit service bulletin on November 7, 2005, and the first upgrades were completed in November with North American launch customer Malco Enterprises and U.K. launch customer Palace International.

FMI: www.bombardier.com