Bombardier marks milestone 3,000th Learjet delivery
The aircraft is also the 100th Learjet 75 jet to be delivered and the second to join Leggett & Platt’s fleet. Learjet aircraft are renowned worldwide for their sleek ramp appeal and are favored by pilots for their handling characteristics and high-performance. Learjet aircraft are certified to Part 25 airworthiness standards, the industry’s highest safety standards, applicable to transport category aircraft and commercial airliners.
Tonya Sudduth, General Manager, Learjet Programs and Wichita Site, Bombardier Business Aircraft, presented the milestone jet to Jeffrey Presslor, Director of Aviation; C.R. Mullere, Director of Maintenance and Rick Schneider, Pilot, Leggett & Platt, at an event attended by distinguished guests, employees and media held at the Bombardier Learjet facility in Wichita, Kansas last Friday, where the aircraft was assembled. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, US Congressman Ron Estes, officials from the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County also joined the event.
“The 3,000th Learjet aircraft represents a very special moment in the iconic legacy of Learjet, and is a testament to the success of the product,” said Sudduth. “We are thrilled that our friends at Leggett & Platt are celebrating this important moment with us,” she added.
“We congratulate Bombardier on manufacturing the 3,000th Learjet aircraft,” said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. “This is an impressive milestone that required the contributions of generations of Learjet workers and reflects the resilience of a location that not only manufactures Learjet aircraft, but also performs flight testing for new aircraft as well as after-market services for aircraft post-delivery. We value Bombardier and appreciate the company’s long-term commitment to Kansas.”
“Today is an exciting day in Bombardier Learjet history,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We are pleased that Leggett & Platt have chosen to welcome this milestone aircraft to their fleet to support the needs of their diversified business. The Learjet 75 business jet is valued worldwide for its innovative technology, smooth ride, superior cabin experience and legendary performance, and continues to set the benchmark in private aviation.”
“Leggett & Platt pioneered sleep technology, introducing its first bedspring more than 125 years ago. Today, as a diversified manufacturer of an array of products, we are proud to operate and serve a broad suite of customers worldwide. The Learjet 75 aircraft offers an indispensable productivity tool to help us keep pace with the complexity and cadence of our operations,” said Jeffrey Presslor, Director of Aviation, Leggett & Platt. “We are delighted to be part of this important moment in Learjet history, and congratulate Bombardier on this historic milestone.”
Founded in 1883, Leggett & Platt is a diversified manufacturer (and member of the S&P 500) that conceives, designs, and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, automobiles, and offices. The company spans 17 business units, 21,000 employee-partners and 130 facilities located in 19 countries. Leggett & Platt is the leading US producer of bedding components, automotive seat support and lumbar systems, components for home furniture and work furniture, adjustable beds, carpet cushion, high-carbon drawn steel wire and bedding industry machinery.
Learjet aircraft are assembled at Bombardier Business Aircraft’s multifaceted facility in Wichita, Kansas. The Learjet lineage began over 50 years ago with the introduction of the first-ever business jet, the Learjet 23 aircraft.
Bombardier acquired Learjet in 1990, introducing the Learjet 45 aircraft in 1997, the first new clean sheet design since the Learjet 23 business jet. Today, the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 business jets, derived from the Learjet 40 XR and Learjet 45 XR aircraft, continue the standard in the light category.
The Wichita site is also the location of one of nine Bombardier Service Centers worldwide and is equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, interior mods, avionics installations and provide AOG support for Bombardier’s complete family of business aircraft, including Learjet, Challenger and Global jets. The facility is also home to Bombardier’s world-class Flight Test Centre, which is active with the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft programme, having recently welcomed the third Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicle.
Learjet 75 aircraft: As part of the well-established Learjet family, the Learjet 75 aircraft brings large jet features to a light jet platform and has a new cabin management system with individual touchscreen monitors and full audio and video control, LED lighting throughout the aircraft and a generous baggage suite.
The Bombardier Vision flight deck features a synthetic vision system, enhanced ergonomics and advanced touch screen controls for a more productive mission. The Learjet 75 aircraft’s powerful engines and new winglet design enable it to reach a top speed of Mach 0.81 and climb to an impressive operating ceiling of 51,000 feet (15,545 m). The Learjet 75 has an exceptional range capability greater than 2,000 NM (3,704 km) and can fly four passengers and two crew members non-stop from London to Moscow.
