The Bombadier Aerospace Learjet 45 nine-seat super-light business jet was announced in 1992. The 300th aircraft was delivered in June 2006.
As well as the super-light Learjet 45, the rear-engine Learjet business jet family includes the light Learjet 31A, and the midsize Learjet 60. In July 2002, two new additions to the family were unveiled: Learjet 40 light business jet and Learjet 45 XR.
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The four-passenger Learjet 40, with a maximum range of 3,339km, took its first flight in August 2002 and entered service in January 2004.
An enhanced Learjet 40, the 40 XR, entered service in February 2006. The Learjet 60 XR made its first flight in April, 2006 and entered service in July 2007. The Learjet 31A ceased production in 2003.
A new addition to the family, the Learjet 85, was launched in October 2007. The Learjet 85 will be of all-composite structure and is scheduled to enter service in 2012.
Learjet history
Over 2,300 Learjets have been built and are in operation as corporate jets worldwide.
Bill Lear founded the American Aviation Corporation in 1960. The company, renamed the Learjet Corporation was transferred to Kansas in 1962 and one year later the original Learjet made its first flight. Facilities were also opened in Tucson, Arizona in 1967. Bombardier of Canada purchased the company in 1990 and the company became Learjet, Inc.
Learjet 45 XR
The Learjet 45 XR received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in June 2004 and European certification in December 2004. By October 2008, over 100 aircraft had been delivered.
Compared to the Learjet 45, the Learjet 45 XR can carry eight passengers to a range of 3,704km. It can climb faster and has an increased maximum speed. The Honeywell TFE-731-20BR engine upgrade provides improved performance when operating in very hot or very cold conditions. The redesigned interior provides 15cm more legroom in the cabin, 5cm more seat width and more galley storage space.
Learjet 45
The Learjet 45 is certified by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), and it is approved by the regulatory agencies in more than 30 countries. It received certification for London City Airport in October 2004 and received full type approval the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in January 2005.
Weighing only 35,000lb (15,874kg), the Learjet 45 is equipped with advanced flight software and architecture, such as an engine instrument and crew advisory system (EICAS) and on-board maintenance diagnostics, to minimise pilot and maintenance workloads.
The fuselage is manufactured at the Bombardier Aerospace facilities in Belfast. De Havilland of Canada is responsible for the manufacture of the wings. Bombardier Aerospace Learjet in Wichita, Kansas, is responsible for final assembly, fitting, test and flight certification.
Learjet 45 jets can be specially configured and customised to be used for pilot training. Orders from Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Cathay Pacific Airways have been for use in a training role. A Learjet 45 provides VIP transport for the Irish Air Corps.
Flight deck
The aircraft is equipped with a Honeywell Primus 1000 four, 8in×7in tube electronic flight and information system with a Primus 1000 digital autopilot and flight director, an Engine Instrument and Crew Advisory System (EICAS) and a Honeywell Primus 660 weather radar. The navigation and communications system is the Primus II. The aircraft can be fitted with a TCAS II Honeywell traffic alert and collision avoidance system.
The ergonomically-designed cockpit accommodates the two crew. The windscreen is fitted with an electric defogging and anti-icing system. The dual independent anti-icing and de-icing systems include engine bleed air anti-icing on the engine inlets, the wings and on the tailplane leading edges. An electric de-icing system is incorporated onto the pitot probes.
Cabin
The 6.11m² passenger cabin seats up to nine passengers in double-club seating. The cabin is fitted with swivelling recliner seats and tables, and a galley with passenger facilities. The door at the port side front of the cabin has integral steps.
The 1.4m³ baggage compartment is heated. A Honeywell air conditioning and pressurisation system provides environment control.
Engines
The aircraft has two Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engines each providing 15.57kN (3,500lb) thrust at take-off. The engines are fitted with Dee Howard thrust reverters and digital electronic engine control (DEEC).
The aircraft has a Honeywell RE 100 auxiliary power unit.
Performance
The aircraft has the ability to climb to the initial cruise altitude in 23 minutes and six seconds. The long-range cruise speed is 778km/h and the maximum operating altitude is 51,000ft or 15,545m.
Landing gear
The Learjet 45 has retractable tricycle-type landing gear. The single nose wheel has steer-by-wire control and retracts forward. The twin wheel main landing gear units retract inwards and are fitted with anti-skid multiple-disc brakes.
Learjet training centre
On 11 April 2001, Bombardier Aerospace officially inaugurated its customer training centre in Dallas / Fort Worth. Fully certified, the centre offers pilot and maintenance training for the Learjet 31A, the Learjet 45 and the Learjet 60.
