NBAA 2002: Bombardier Learjet 40 Makes Surprise Visit to NBAA

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 11, 2002 -- The first production Bombardier Learjet 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.