Learjet 75 Deliveries Begin

   The launch of Learjet 75 deliveries began yesterday.
            The first went to entrepreneur Louis Beck (center) with Bombardier Business
              Jets President Steve Ridolfi (left) and Learjet VP and General Manager Ralph Acs.
(Photo: Kirby J. Harrison)

Learjet spent a good part of yesterday celebrating the “start of the delivery process” of its new Learjet 75. 

The first aircraft went to business entrepreneur Louis Beck and his Speedbird LCC. Beck, present at the delivery ceremonies, expressed satisfaction with the acquisition. 

He is a long-time Learjet owner and said he had never heard a pilot complain about Speedbird’s previous aircraft, a Learjet 45. And he added, “there’s also the unmistakable sex appeal that is Learjet.”The second delivery, of five Learjet 75s, went to Canada-based charter operator London Air Services. London Air already has eight Bombardier airplanes in its fleet (five Learjet45XRs, a Challenger 604 and two Challenger 605s). Also on order is a Global 7000. President and CEO Wynne Powell said the Learjet 75 will allow nonstop flights from Vancouver to Montreal 95 percent of the time, compared with 85 percent of the time with the Learjet 45XR. “We have the luxury of being able to buy the best, and this is it,” he said, pointing the five aircraft waiting on the ramp in London Air Services livery.

The Learjet 75 is still awaiting full certification, which Learjet v-p and general manager Ralph Acs said was delayed by the U.S. government shutdown, which effectively closed much of the FAA’s certification and aircraft registration services for 17 days. He said the company had completed the flight-test phase and submitted the final paperwork to theFAA before the shutdown. In terms of final certification, he added, “We’re at the one-yard line.

Source: AINOnline