Bombardier Gets Certification Approvals from Two Countries

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Its been a good month for Bombardier Aerospace. On June 22, the company announced that Transport Canada had awarded the certification papers for Bombardier’s Learjet 40, six months after the light jet entered corporate service last January. Earlier, on June 17, Bombardier received FAA approval to install the Honeywell TFE731-20BR engine in the Learjet 45 XR upgrade package. Bombardier’s Learjet 40 is based on the model 45 platform, of which some 240 copies have been delivered, and shares major systems with its parent. Introduced in 2002, the Learjet 40 received U.S. type certification in July 2003, less than 11 months after the aircrafts first flight on Aug. 30, 2002. A total of nine Learjet 40s are in service with both Bombardier Flexjet fractional owners and traditional customers in the U.S. and Germany. Meanwhile, the Learjet 45 XR upgrade is designed to deliver greater payload-range capabilities through a 1,000-pound (454-kg) increase in maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and enhanced performance from the new 20BR engines. Referring to Canada’s Learjet 40 certification, Christophe Chicandard, Director, Sales, Canada, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft, said, “This latest milestone is terrific news for Canadian business jet operators.” With full fuel and six passengers, the Learjet 40 can fly 1,782 nautical miles (3,300 km) at altitudes up to 51,000 feet. Meanwhile, Bombardier reports the Learjet 45 XR upgrade is on schedule to enter service within weeks. The company will issue a Service Bulletin to current Learjet 45 operators allowing them to upgrade their aircraft at a Bombardier Aircraft Services facility. The cost was not specified. “With certification now official, the Bombardier Learjet 45 XR becomes the leader in the key performance criteria in the super light segment,” said Mike Kanaley, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft. Learjet 45 XR certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency is scheduled for late 2004.

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