Development of the “clean sheet” all-composite Bombardier Learjet 85 continues on track for its announced entry-into-service date of 2013, notwithstanding the unexpected insolvency and subsequent bankruptcy in late 2008 of supplier Grob Aerospace, which had been selected to help develop the structure and build the first three prototypes for the program. Bombardier announced in September that it had decided to terminate its agreement with Grob and take over complete responsibility for the detailed design and manufacturing of all primary and secondary structures for the Learjet 85 prototypes. Bombardier had always planned to manufacture the production Learjet 85s itself.
Learjet is now using Bombardier’s new production facility in the Queretaro Aerospace Park in Mexico to fabricate the composite structure for the Learjet 85, which, if all goes to plan, will become the first certified, all-composite Part 25 business jet. The Queretaro facility already builds the Challenger 850 mid-fuselage, the Q400 flight control work package (rudder, elevator and horizontal stabilizer) and the aft fuselage on Global models.
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