[Avionics Today April 10, 2014] Bombardier’s latest midsize business jet, the Learjet 85, completed its first flight, the Canadian airframe manufacturer said.
Bombardier’s Learjet 85 makes its first flight in Wichita, Kan. Photo, courtesy of Bombardier.
Equipped with Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion avionics, the Learjet 85 reached an altitude of 30,000 feet and an air speed of 250 knots for its first flight, which lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes. Bombardier said the flight controls and avionics systems performed as expected during the maiden flight.
“Today marks a significant accomplishment for the Learjet 85 team. The aircraft performed very well,” said Ralph Acs, vice president and general manager of the Learjet 85 program.
Customized for the Learjet 85, the Vision Flight Deck features the Pro Line Fusion avionics suite with a Horizontal Stabilizer Trim System (HSTS). Also, the jet features the first Pro Line Fusion suite where the Electronic Circuit Breaker (ECB) display and control capability are designed to simplify flight deck operations for pilots.
Taking advantage of the open systems architecture of the Pro Line Fusion, Bombardier worked with Astronics and Rockwell Collins to integrate an on-screen replacement for the traditional mechanical circuit breaker panel. The flight deck also offers a virtual world feature, which creates a simulated image of the outside world when weather conditions impact a pilot’s ability to see outside the cockpit.
Originally scheduled for its first flight in early 2013, Bombardier executives delayed it to deal with issues building the airframe’s composite structure as well as problems with some of the systems.
Bombardier is waiting until it has reviewed the first flight’s performance data to schedule an entry into service date for the Learjet 85.