Keeping up an unmatched pace that has seen the company launch one new aircraft every year, Bombardier has unveiled the Learjet 40 light business jet – its 13th new programme in 13 years.
Bombardier has also introduced the Learjet 45XR, a performance and interior upgrade of the Learjet 45 super-light business jet. The two new aircraft are key to the company's plan to dominate the "premium" light jet market, says Claude Chidiac, vice-president product planning and programmes, Challenger and Learjet.
The Learjet 40 is a shortened version of the 45, with the same wing, engines, avionics and systems, but with a 600mm (24.5in) plug removed from the fuselage. The cabin seats six passengers, instead of the Learjet 45's eight, and the interior been restyled.
"This aircraft is a true Learjet, and that means speed," says Chidiac. "The new interior has a performance-car look and we are positioning this as a performance aircraft."
The Learjet 40 has a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.8, a maximum altitude of 51,000ft (15,500m) and a range with four passengers of 3,340km (1,800nm).
Chidiac says the aircraft beats the payload/range performance of the rival Cessna Citation Encore and Raytheon BeechJet 400A light jets. This is the price-sensitive end of the market, so low acquisition cost was the first priority, Chidiac says, and the aircraft is priced at $6.78 million in today's dollars.
Bombardier has come to Farnborough with authority to offer the Learjet 40, and plans to launch the aircraft formally at the US National Business Aviation Association show in September, but it has already begun work on the prototype, which started life as a Learjet 45.
Because the Learjet 40 draws so heavily on the 45, the programme will be quick, even by Bombardier standards. The aircraft will fly later this quarter, with US certification scheduled a year later, leading to entry into service in the first quarter of 2004. "This is a very quick, very low-risk programme," says Chidiac.
The existing Learjet 31A light jet will remain in production – for now. "We will see how market demand evolves for the 31A, 40 and 45," Chidiac says.
Bombardier is aiming for a dominant share of a market estimated at 3,000 light jets over 10 years. The Learjet 45XR, meanwhile, takes that aircraft's performance up another notch. A higher take-off weight and more powerful Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines will extend range and boost hot-and-high performance. The 45XR can carry eight passengers and full fuel and fly 830km further than its rival, Cessna's Citation Excel, Chidiac says.
Source: Flight Daily News
