Bombardier is ironing out internal processing challenges created by its new all-composite Learjet 85 business jet, which is scheduled for service entry in 2013.
Bombardier Aerospace president Guy Hachey said "we have great support" from the supplier base and that "on the system side, the more conventional things that we are used to in the aircraft are in very good shape", but he admitted that challenges for the Lear 85 are "more on the composite [side]" and how it is possible to achieve a "repeatable high-volume type of processing. That is what we are working through right now."
Bombardier plans to complete Learjet 85 wing and fuselage assembly in Queretaro, Mexico, while the first phase of expansion to handle final assembly is almost complete in Wichita, said Hachey.
Hachey characterised backlog for the Learjet 85 as "very healthy. We essentially didn't lose any orders throughout the recession. We had hardly any cancellations."
He expects the Learjet 85's first flight to take place about a year before service entry.
Source: Flight International
