Learjet 45

Learjet 45

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+

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Learjet 45 (LJ45) aircraft is a mid-sized business jet aircraft produced by Bombardier Aerospace.

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. 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.

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.

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

Incidents

The Mexican Interior Minister (Secretario de Gobernación) Juan Camilo Mouriño died on November 4, 2008 in an aircraft accident involving a Learjet 45XR.

Specifications

Nighttime View of the Learjet 45

Isle of Man registered Learjet 45

Learjet 45 parked Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport

Learjet 45 parked at Boone County Airport (Arkansas).

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (minimum)
  • Capacity: 9 passengers which includes one on the lavatory which is certified as a seat
  • Length: 57 ft 6 in (17.68 m)
  • Wingspan: 47 ft 10 in (14.57 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.30 m)
  • Wing area: 311 ft² (29.0 m²)
  • Empty weight: 13695 lb (6212 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 21,500 lb (9752 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Honeywell TFE731-20 , 3500 lb (15.56 kN) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 464 kt (Mach 0.81)
  • Cruise speed: 457 kt (525 mph)
  • Range: 2120 NM (2440 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15545 m)

See also

Comparable aircraft

  • Cessna Citation III / Cessna Citation VII
  • Gulfstream G100
  • Hawker 800XP

References

  1. Specifications and history of the LJ45 on Airliners.net
  2. “Bombardier Aerospace Launches Learjet 40XR High Performance Light Jet.” from Wings over Kansas
  3. Dominion Aircraft Learjet 45 Specifications pdf“. http://www.airview.com/airviewimages/DominionAir_Lear45.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-20. 

External links