Bombardier Learjet 40 Makes Surprise Visit to NBAA Less
Than a Week After First Flight
ORLANDO, FLORIDA--SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 - 15:20 EDT
The first production Bombardier Learjet(R) 40
has capped a week of incredible accomplishments by making a
surprise visit to the National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, Florida, less than
a week after its first flight.
The newest member of the Bombardier Learjet family arrived at
Orlando Executive Airport at 6:44 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10,
barely five days after completing a 2 hour and 56 minute first
flight from Bombardier's Flight Test Center facilities in Wichita,
Kan. last Thursday, September 5.
The aircraft was cleared for the unprecedented flight from Wichita
to Orlando after completing a total of 7.7 hours of testing to
verify systems and ensure that all safety of flight issues had
been met satisfactorily. Pete Reynolds, vice-president, flight
test, Bombardier Aerospace, Doug May, engineering test pilot,
Bombardier Aerospace, and Eric Nordberg, flight test engineer,
Bombardier Aerospace, made the trip to the 55th annual gathering
of the business aircraft community in 2 hours and 39 minutes,
climbing to an altitude of 51,000 ft. (15,545 m) for most of the
flight. Due to flight test restrictions they were limited to a
top cruising speed of 270 knots or Mach .72.
"Our normal flight test procedures call for us to build time on a
new aircraft design within a local test area before making cross
country trips," Mr. Reynolds pointed out. "But the Bombardier
Learjet 40 has already established some new developmental
milestones in its first month. The prototype, serial number
45-001, flew for the first time on August 31. It was followed six
days later by this airplane, the first production model, which
made its first flight on September 5.
"Both aircraft have handled predictably and we've had very few
squawks. When the suggestion that we fly to Orlando was first
made, we presented the prospect to the FAA and they have worked
closely with us to ensure that all critical safety of flight and
test requirements were met. The flight itself confirmed our
confidence in the airplane and in all of the people who have
worked so hard for months to allow us to realize such
extraordinary goals," he added.
The Bombardier Learjet 40 production aircraft will remain on
static display along with the Bombardier's other aircraft through
the duration of the National Business Aviation Association.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader
in the design, and manufacture of innovative aviation products and
provides services for the regional, business and amphibious
aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet(R) fractional
ownership, aircraft charter and management, technical services,
aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional
airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company,
is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational
products. It also provides financial services and asset management
in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered
in Montreal, Canada, the Corporation has a workforce of some
80,000 people in 24 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and
Asia-Pacific. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2002
stood at $21.6 billion Cdn. Bombardier trades on the Toronto,
Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F).
(R) Registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc.
Note to Editors:
Images/Illustrations of the Bombardier Learjet 40 are available on
our Web site photo gallery at:
www.aero.bombardier.com/htmen/F15.jsp
Members of the media may receive Bombardier Business Aircraft
press releases immediately via e-mail. To subscribe to our e-mail
list, fill out and submit the online form found on the Web at:
www.bombardier.com/en/3_0/memberprofile.jsp
For more information on Bombardier Aerospace at NBAA, please visit
www.Aeroshow.com |
