Learjet

Bombardier announced at the Farnborough Airshow this week that its three Learjets currently in development are progressing toward certification on schedule. The Learjet 85, 70 and 75 are expected to enter into service next year, the company said. It may appear overly ambitious to develop three new jets simultaneously, but the Learjet 70 and 75, […]

On Monday at EBACE, Bombardier moved decisively in the direction of investing in the future when it launched greatly upgraded versions of its Learjet 40 and 45 light jets, which it rebranded the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75. The new designations underscore the magnitude of the changes to the models, as well as going nicely […]

Bombardier Learjet broke ground on a new $53 million factory near Wichita Mid-Continent Airport on Monday as the company prepares for production of its newest business jet, the super-midsize Learjet 85. “This is an exciting day for the future of Learjet and the Learjet 85 program in Wichita,” said Learjet Vice President Ralph Acs. “We […]

It was a wintry day in Salt Lake City with the temperature hovering around freezing and a high, overcast sky with good visibility. We were on the second leg of a three-leg day flying a Lear 35 from a military base to Washington, D.C., carrying three passengers including a VIP. I was sitting right seat […]

When I first heard that Learjet would build its new Model 85 entirely from composite materials, I wondered what management there was thinking. So far there has not been an FAR Part 25 transport airplane built even mostly from composites. And the history of turbine-powered composite airplanes is sketchy at best. The Starship, of course, […]

The original Learjet Model 23 was certified 45 years ago and the airplane was a visual sensation in the aviation press and even the general news media. Part of the notoriety came from the flamboyant Bill Lear who promoted the airplane — and himself — to any and all that would listen. But the Learjet […]

At a web-based press conference officials of Bombardier’s Learjet division gave a progress report on the status of the company’s Learjet 85 all-composite midsize bizjet. If it succeeds, the 85 would be the first all-composite business jet to earn certification under Part 25. The program, however, appeared to be at risk with the failure of […]