Bombardier has had a ceremonial delivery of the first customer Learjet 75. The manufacturer had hoped to formally deliver the aircraft ahead of this week’s NBAA convention but was forced to hold a ceremonial delivery – to customers Louis Beck and London Air Services – as US FAA certification for the aircraft was delayed by the US government’s recent shutdown.
Meanwhile, Bombardier says the Learjet 85 is on track to fly before the end of the year. Assembly of Learjet 85 Flight Test Vehicle (FTV1) is now complete, while the Complete Aircraft Static Test (CAST) article has completed its structural safety of flight testing at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).
“As we mark the 50th anniversary of Learjet this year, it’s a very exciting time for us to be sharing tremendous progress on our new Learjet aircraft programs,” said Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We are very much focused on achieving the first Learjet 85 aircraft flight before the end of this year, and we are currently in the delivery process of the first Learjet 75 jets. These milestones are a testament to the enduring legacy and popularity of the world’s very first business jet, the Learjet aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Flexjet has converted 30 Learjet 85 options into firm orders and has added 20 incremental options.
