Bombardier Delivers Learjet 45 to First Canadian
Customer: All-New Jet Introduced Into Canadian Service
FEBRUARY 9, 2000
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--Bombardier Aerospace today announced that it has
delivered its first Learjet(R) 45 business jet aircraft to a
Canadian customer.
Hughes Air Corp. of Calgary, Alberta, a charter operator of
executive jets, took delivery of its Learjet 45 on Dec. 28, 1999,
and immediately began operating the aircraft.
"After an extensive survey of all midsize jet aircraft available
we selected the Learjet 45 because of its eight passenger cabin,
its modern airliner technology and its low acquisition and
operating costs," stated Hughes Air chief pilot Pat Hartigan.
"We are delighted with the smooth performance of the aircraft and
so far, it has confirmed all our expectations," he continued. "We
have already flown 65 hours over 51 flights."
The Learjet 45 can connect New York-Calgary, Toronto-Vancouver,
Vancouver-Atlanta and Montreal-Monterrey with four passengers. It
features a maximum non-stop range of 2,120 nautical miles (3,924
km), a maximum cruise speed of Mach .81 (534 mph; 860 km/hr) and
its certified ceiling is 51,000 feet (15,545 m).
This Learjet 45 delivery increases the total fleet of Bombardier
business jets operating in Canada to some 65 aircraft including
some 35 Learjet and 30 Challenger jets.
"We now have a total of 48 Learjet 45 business jets in corporate
service, mostly in the United States, and we are delighted to mark
this milestone first delivery to a Canadian-based customer,"
stated Robert Gillespie, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Business
Aircraft.
The Learjet 45 is the first business jet in its category to be
certificated to the requirements of JAR 25 at Change 13, with only
three amendments. In the United States it is the first aircraft
certificated to the requirements of FAR Part 25, Amendement 77.
It received Transport Canada type certification in July 1999.
The cabin is significantly larger than current light jet models,
offering the comfort of mid-size business aircraft. Its 19-foot,
nine-inch (6.0 m) long passenger cabin provides ample room for an
eight-place, double-club seating arrangement, a galley and a
full-across aft restroom. Its flat floor provides more head and
shoulder room, as well as easy movement throughout the cabin.
The Learjet 45 aircraft is the first business jet in its size and
price range to incorporate and EICAS system as standard. Each of
the Learjet 45 systems has diagnostic capability, allowing
maintenance technicians to obtain detailed status information,
dramatically reducing the time required for troubleshooting.
In March, 1999, the U.S. National Aeronautics Association (NAA)
and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) recognized
the Learjet 45 for its record San Diego-Washington D.C. flight of
four-hours, 18-minutes, one-second. As of Sept. 30, the Learjet
45 holds nine world records.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the world's
third largest civil aircraft manufacturer with operations in three
countries. Leading the 20- to 70-passenger regional carrier
market, Bombardier Aerospace offers complete families of turboprop
and regional jet aircraft. It has the industry's widest range of
business jets, offering both full and fractional ownership, and
also produces firefighting/maritime mission aircraft. It provides
technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training to
business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation active in the fields of
aerospace, rail transportation equipment, recreational products
and financial services. It operates plants in 12 countries in
North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90 per cent of its
revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for
its fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, totalled $11.5 billion
(Cdn). |
