Bombardier's David Coleal: The Lear 85 IS On Track

The message from Lear's David Coleal is clear... the internationally manufactured Learjet 85 IS on track. According to Coleal and his staff, "Development of the Bombardier Learjet 85 aircraft continues on schedule for its announced entry into service date of 2013.

Progress has been consistent and going as planned. With the joint definition exit phase at hand, we have completed two proof of concept fuselage sections as well as all wind tunnel testing. The systems design, installation and integration are on target, icing tunnel tests have begun, and we have established certification protocols with the FAA."

The Learjet 85 offers a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82 and a transcontinental range of up to 3000 nautical miles. The quoted Long-Range cruise is M 0.78, its balanced field length (at MTOW) is 4800 feet, expected Time to Climb to FL410 (MTOW, SL, ISA) is less than 18 minutes and its maximum cruise altitude is 49000 feet.

A truly international undertaking (as so much with Lear is...), Bombardier's Lear 85 program is currently expanding its production site in Querétaro where a new building is under construction, while their Wichita facilities are being enlarged in preparation for the final assembly and delivery of future Learjet 85 aircraft.

FMI: www.learjet85.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, www.twitter.com/aeronews