Page 27 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015 Online Magazine

FEATURE BUSINESS JETS

Composite Decision

Bombardier presses pause on its Learjet 85 programme By J K Chandra

bOMbARdIERS ATTEMPT AT A CLEAN-
sheet design on the Learjet 85 with its
composite construction and innovative
use of technologies, was to have
revolutionised the light business jet
segment. However, its future now appears
uncertain following a decision taken
by Bombardier to pause its Learjet 85
business aircraft programme. According
to Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “Given
the weakness of the market, we made
the difficult decision to pause the Learjet
85 program at this time.” He added “We
will focus our resources on our two
other clean-sheet aircraft programs
under development, CSeries and Global an existing airframe (737 Max, A320neo), typically cost anywhere between uS$
7000/8000, for which we see tremendous they are still heavier and are not in the 9-21 million (B&CA equipped prices). Its
market potential. Both programs are CSeries category. Against these aircraft composite construction allowed complex
progressing well.” In a statement issued the CSeries will offer a cash operating curves to be used in the aircraft cross-
by Bombardier, it clarified that “the pause cost advantage of 10-12 percent.” section and maximised cabin volume
is due to weak demand for the Learjet Richard Aboulafia Vice President, through thinner walls. The result was
85 aircraft and follows a downward Analysis at Teal Group, in a post on his a cabin that could accommodate eight
revision of Bombardier’s business blog last December, wrote that “If you’re passengers in comfort in a stand-up cabin
aircraft market forecast. This reflects the hyper-optimistic, you might believe with a maximum height of five feet 11
continued weakness of the Light aircraft Bombardier’s contention that it will enter inches (1.80 m) and width of just over six
category since the economic downturn.” service in the second half of 2015. In feet. Space was also available for a galley,
Bombardier will record a pre-tax charge reality, this next generation jetliner will lavatory, three closet compartments and
in the fourth quarter of 2014 for about arrive well after the A320neo, which is external and internal baggage space of
uS$ 1.4 billion and will also slash the terrible because much of its appeal rested up to 95 cubic feet (2.83 m³) and up to 30
workforce at its sites in Wichita, uSA and on being first to market. Also, because cubic feet (0.85 m³) respectively. Flexjet
Querétaro, Mexico by approximately 1000 of this carnivorously expensive project, remains the largest customer for the type
employees. Clearly the pressing need to 2014 was another year of personnel till date with 60 aircraft on order worth
put development of the CSeries airliner carnage at BBD.” Bombardier’s Global uS$ 1.2 billion (2013 list prices).
back on track, along with supporting the 7000 and 8000 ultra-long range business With substantial usage of composites,
planned entry into service next year for jets are scheduled to enter service in the Learjet 85 was to have delivered
the Global 7000 ultra-long range business 2016 and 2017 respectively and already a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82 and
jet, resulted in the decision to out the have healthy order backlogs. The first transcontinental range of approximately
Learjet 85 programme in limbo. flight for the Global 7000 is to take place 3,000 nm (5,556 km). It made its maiden
The CSeries is uS$ 4.4 billion dollar this year, followed by the Global 8000 flight in April last year, when flight test
gamble by Bombardier to build a clean a year later. In Bombardier’s market vehicle one (FTV1) took to the air for two
sheet aeroplane that was to corner a forecast for 2014-2033, it said that the hours and fifteen minutes, powered by two
substantial portion of the 100-149 seat market for large business jets (like its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307B engines,
single aisle market, dominated by Airbus Global series) “is expected to experience each delivering 6,100 pounds of take-off
& Boeing. In an earlier interview to Asian the fastest percent growth rate of thrust (at sea level). The Learjet 85 also
Airlines & Airports Sebastien Mullot, the three categories (Light, Medium, had a cockpit with a top of the line three-
CSeries Program Director at Bombardier Large).” Priced at an estimated uS$ 21 display flight deck based on the Rockwell
Aerospace had said “Even with other million, the Learjet 85 was at the top of Collins Pro Line Fusion, its 15.1 inch LCD
manufacturers fitting new engines on the ‘Light’ category, where business jets displays the largest in the industry.
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