Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The Bombardier Learjet 85 successfully completed its maiden flight yesterday, marking the beginning of the all-composite midsize jet’s flight-test program. Flight-test vehicle one (FTV1) lifted off from Wichita Mid Continent International Airport yesterday at 8:19 a.m. CST.


At the controls of the fly-by-wire jet during the two-hour 15-minute flight were Bombardier Flight Test Center chief flight-test pilot Ed Grabman and copilot Jim Dwyer, with flight-test engineer Nick Weyers in the cabin monitoring data. They took the Learjet 85 to 30,000 feet and 250 knots during the flight, reporting that all flight controls were exercised and performance was as anticipated.


“Today marks a significant accomplishment for the Learjet 85 team. The aircraft performed very well, and I would like to congratulate all the employees who have played a role in achieving FTV1’s maiden flight,” said Learjet 85 vice president and general manager Ralph Acs.


The first flight is four months behind a revised schedule announced last year. Certification was originally pegged for the middle of this year but now awaits announcement of Bombardier's newly revised schedule. Knowledgeable sources have told AIN that certifying the Learjet 85 could take up to two years from first flight.

Learjet 85 Makes Long-awaited Maiden Flight

The Bombardier Learjet 85 completed its maiden flight on April 9, marking the beginning of the all-composite midsize jet’s flight-test program.

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