Learjet 45
| Learjet 45 | |
|---|---|
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| Gama Aviation Learjet 45 at Farnborough, England in July 2006 | |
| Role | Business Jet |
| National origin | Canada and United States |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Aerospace |
| First flight | October, 1995 |
| Introduction | January, 1998 |
| Number built | 264+ |
| Unit cost | $11.5 Million USD |
| Variants | Learjet 40 |
The Learjet 45 (LJ45) aircraft is a mid-sized business jet aircraft produced by Bombardier Aerospace.
Brand-new, the Learjet 45 costs around US$11.5 million.
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[edit] History
The development of the LJ45 was announced by Bombardier in September, 1992, and first flight of the prototype aircraft took place on October 7, 1995, the 32nd anniversary of the first flight of the Learjet 23. FAA certification was delayed, and finally granted in September 1997, with the first customer aircraft subsequently delivered in January, 1998.[1] The cockpit is equipped with a four-screen Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS avionics system. The aircraft is powered by two FADEC-controlled Honeywell TFE731-20 engines, a version developed specifically for this airframe. An internal APU provides ground power.[1]
The Learjet 45XR is an upgraded version introduced in June, 2004, offering higher takeoff weights, faster cruise speeds and faster time-to-climb rates as compared to the LJ45. The increases are due to the upgrading of the engines to the TFE731-20BR configuration. LJ45 owners can upgrade their aircraft through the incorporation of several service bulletins.[2]
In size, the LJ45 and LJ45XR fit between the smaller Learjet 31 and Learjet 40 and the larger Learjet 60 in the Lear product line. De Havilland Canada builds the LJ45s wings, and Bombardier subsidiary Short Brothers of Northern Ireland builds the fuselage and empennage.
The Learjet 45 is also one of the main aircraft featured in the Microsoft Flight Simulator including Flight Sim 2004 and FSX.
[edit] Accident and Incidents
- 2008 Mexico City plane crash; On 4 November 2008, Mexican Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mouriño, Assistant Attorney General José Luis Santiago Vasconcelos and 7 others were killed in an accident involving a Learjet 45XR. The aircraft crashed on a busy road, killing another 7 people on the ground.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Civilian operators
- Santiago del Estero Government.[3]
[edit] Specifications
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 9 passengers
- Length: 58 ft 0 in (17.68 m)
- Wingspan: 47 ft 10 in (14.58 m)
- Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.30 m)
- Wing area: 311.6 ft² (28.95 m²)
- Empty weight: 12,850 lb (5,829 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 20,200 lb (9,163 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan, 3,500 lb (15.57 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 533 mph (463 knots, 858 km/h, Mach 0.81) (max cruise)
- Cruise speed: 500 mph (434 knots, 804 km/h, Mach 0.76)
- Range: 1,968 mi (1,710 nmi, 3,167 km) (4 passengers)
- Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
[edit] See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Cessna Citation III / Cessna Citation VII
- Gulfstream G100
- Hawker 800XP
[edit] References
- ^ a b Specifications and history of the LJ45 on Airliners.net
- ^ "Bombardier Aerospace Launches Learjet 40XR High Performance Light Jet." from Wings over Kansas
- ^ [1] "Perfil newspaper"
- ^ Taylor 1999, pp. 512–513.
- Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.
[edit] External links
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