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Bombardier Learjet 40

Type (Muster)
Super-light business-jet (Geschäftsreiseflugzeug)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Bombardier Aerospace (Learjet)
One Learjet Way
Wichita, Kansas 67277-7707
USA

Phone: 001-316/946-2000
Fax: 001-316/946-2204

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2
Passengers (Passagiere): up to 7

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Honeywell (AlliedSignal) TFE731-20AR
Thrust (Schub): 2 x 3500 lbs (15,56 kN) at take-off (flat rated to 31 deg C)
Fuel consumption (Kraftstoffverbrauch): 579 litres/hour average at cruise speeds

Noise levels:
Takeoff (Start): 74,4 EPNdB
Approach (Anflug): 93,4 EPNdB
Sideline (Vorbeiflug): 85,2 EPNdB

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 16,91 m
Height (Höhe): 4,31 m
Span (Spannweite): 14,57 m
Maximum fuselage diameter (Rumpfdurchmesser): 1,75 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 28,95 sq m
Sweep at 25 % chord (Pfeilung bei 25 Grad Flügeltiefe): 13,4 degrees

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 5,39 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,56 m (half height / in halber Höhe)
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,50 m
Cabin floor area (Kabinengrundfläche): 5,17 sq m
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 10,28 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Basic operating weight (Einsatz-Leermasse): 6091
Max. payload (max. Nutzlast): 1166 kg
Payload with full fuel (Nutzlast mit vollen Tanks): 815 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 2438 kg
Fuel with max. payload (Kraftstoff bei max. Nutzlast): 2087 kg
Max. zero-fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 7257 kg
Max. ramp weight (Max. Masse am Boden): 9344 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 9231 kg
Max. landing weight (Max. Landemasse): 8709 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.81 / 464 kts (859 km/h)
Normal cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.79 / 456 kts (845 km/h)
Long range cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit auf langen Strecken): Mach 0.75 / 430 kts (796 km/h)
Max. operating altitude (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 15545 m (51000 ft)
Time to climb to 43000 ft (Steigzeit): 22 min, 42 sec at max. take-off weight
Balanced field length (Startstrecke): 1306 m (sea level, ISA, max. weight)
Landing distance at max landing weight (Landestrecke): 811 m at sea level
Range (Reichweite):
- 3439 km (1857 NM) with IFR reserve, ISA, 4 passengers/2crew
- 3263 km (1762 NM) with full fuel and maximum payload

Costs (Kosten)
The Learjet 40 was initially priced at 6,915 million US-Dollars in 2002, with typical equipment.

Customers (Kunden)
Bombardier Business Aircraft announced Eurojet Italia as the launch customer for the Learjet 40 (one firm and one option) at the Farnborough air show in July 2002.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Cessna Citation Encore
Raytheon Beechjet 400A

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
Based on the Bombardier Learjet 45, the new Bombardier Learjet 40 is specifically designed to respond to the needs of light jet owners. These include: low acquisition and direct operating costs; a custom-crafted and roomy cabin with lavatory; and a combination of range and speed offering the best value in its class. The aircraft provides optimum performance for regional travel, able to fly with a full passenger load of seven and full fuel. With four passengers, it will travel from Athens to London in just under three hours, and from New York to Chicago in one hour and 35 minutes.
The Learjet 40 features the same high performance wing, cockpit and major systems developed for the Bombardier Learjet 45. It is powered by the same Honeywell TFE731-20AR engines. The difference is a shortened fuselage, with about 60 cm being removed from the front section.
The Learjet 40 offers a 36 per cent larger cabin and 35 per cent more range than the Learjet 31 for only a 10 per cent higher price.
The improved interior also offers re-designed seats, and a LED lighting system, which lasts longer, is more robust and emits less heat.

History (Geschichte)
The Learjet 40 was unveiled on the eve of the Farnborough air show on 21 July 2002 in London. At that time, a prototype (ex Learjet 45 test aircraft) was under construction in Wichita.
The prototype of the new super-light business jet flew for the first time on August 31 and the first production model made its maiden flight six days later on September 5, 2002. Both first flights departed from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport, site of the Bombardier Learjet manufacturing facility and the Bombardier Flight Test Center. Pete Reynolds, vice-president, flight test, Bombardier Aerospace, and Doug May, flight test and engineering test pilot, Bombardier Aerospace, were at the controls of both aircraft. Eric Nordberg acted as flight test engineer on both flights, as well.
On its maiden flight, the Learjet 40 prototype took off at 5:05 p.m. under nearly ideal weather conditions and returned at 7:24 p.m., having reached an altitude of 47,000 feet (14,326 m) and a speed of 270 knots (312 mph; 502 km/h). “The prototype is actually a 'deplugged' Bombardier Learjet 45 which was shortened by 24.5 (62.23cm) inches and modified slightly to conform to the systems and dimensions of the Bombardier Learjet 40. We had a very good idea of what to expect from our extensive experience with the Bombardier Learjet 45, but this was still a unique experience. The modifications didn't result in any perceptible change to the flight characteristics,” noted Mr. May.
Six days later, at 2:17 p.m. on Thursday, the first production model of the Learjet 40 rose into clear skies for a two hour and 56 minute flight. It climbed to an altitude of 51,000 feet (15,545 m) and reached a top speed of 270 knots (312 mph; 502 km/h) while performing a number of system checks.
All of the Learjet 40 certification testing was flown in these two aircraft. The prototype (serial number 45-001) focused on stability and control, flight dynamics, performance, and basic systems changes which differ from the Bombardier Learjet 45. The first production aircraft (serial number 2001) was assigned to fly production verifications for the redesigned systems and conduct testing related to the interior and available options.
At the NBAA Convention in Orlando in September 2002, Bombardier Aerospace and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) announced an optional package that includes a unique, race-car inspired interior and VIP access to racing events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the upcoming racing season. The Indy 500 Interior Package was available for a limited time on the new Bombardier Learjet 40 for an additional cost of 150000 US-Dollars. The first production aircraft was also shown in Orlando, arriving on September 10, after completing 7,7 flight hours of testing in Wichita.
The aircraft was awarded certification by the FAA on Friday, July 11, 2003. The FAA granted certification to the same high level standards as the Learjet 45 – 14 CFR Part 25, Amendments 1 to 77. The flight test program involved two flight test aircraft and several static test articles.
Type certification from the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) was received on January 9, 2004.
The Learjet 40 entered service in January 2004. During the month, two were delivered to U.S.-based traditional operators, two entered service with Bombardier's Flexjet fractional ownership program, and one aircraft was delivered to a traditional operator based in Germany (Cirrus at Saarbrücken).

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Last updated 10 February 2004

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