Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the first wing shipment for its Learjet 85 jet has arrived at the Wichita assembly line and is now in the process of being readied for mating to the fuselage of Flight Test Vehicle one (FTV1).

Alongside the arrival of the first complete Learjet 85 aircraft wing, the fuselage for FTV2 has successfully completed its integrity inspection. Installation of the nose, bulkheads, floor, windshield and door surrounds are scheduled to begin in the coming days. Once complete the main fuselage will be shipped with the aft fuselage to the final assembly line.

Wings for the complete aircraft static test article are expected to arrive from Querétaro by the end of November as preparations for static ground testing continues. Elsewhere, the program is soaring along as all system supplier safety of flight test rigs been commissioned.

“Seeing the wings arrive for our first Learjet 85 test aircraft is a wonderful moment. A moment that could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of every single person involved in this project,” said Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet. “This development program is gaining ever more momentum as we tirelessly work towards first flight and the first customer delivery.”

Learjet 85 aircraft: The Learjet 85 aircraft lives up to its nomenclature with its sleek Learjet lines, legendary performance, and blends the newest technology to deliver an aircraft that will redefine the midsize segment with the largest, fastest and longest range Learjet aircraft to date. With its stand up cabin and superior design this jet can seamlessly fly 3,000 nm (5,556 km) and speeds up to M0.82 (470kts 871km/h). It can link Montréal with Caracas, and fly Montréal to Los Angeles*. And with its Bombardier Vision Flight Deck offers pilots the most sophisticated cockpit in its class.

Bombardier press release