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Bombardier Aerospace today inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art Learjet 85 aircraft component manufacturing facility at its site in the Queretaro Aerospace Park. Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, President of Mexico, and Jose Calzada Rovirosa, Governor of the State of Queretaro, joined Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc., and Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace, to mark the occasion.
The construction of the 185,000 sq.ft. (17,187 sq.m.) Learjet 85 aircraft component manufacturing centre was completed in July 2010. The fabrication of development parts soon followed, and the fabrication of parts for the first aircraft is now underway. In addition, over 36,300 sq.ft. (3,370 sq.m.) of existing space at the Queretaro site has been allocated to the Learjet 85 aircraft program. This brings the total Learjet 85 aircraft footprint at the Queretaro manufacturing site to approximately 221,300 sq.ft. (20,560 sq.m.) in order to support composite fuselage manufacturing and wing assembly.
"We are honoured to inaugurate our new Learjet 85 aircraft component manufacturing facility in the company of President Calderon and Governor Calzada," said Mr. Beaudoin. "Bombardier's operations in Mexico are an important part of the company's global strategy. The professionalism and commitment that our employees in Mexico have shown have driven many of the achievements that we have accomplished since the opening of our first Mexican facility in 2006. The increasing complexity of the work being undertaken in Queretaro also affirms Bombardier's confidence in its Mexican operations."
The Queretaro facility is responsible for the fabrication of the Learjet 85 aircraft's major composite structures. During the past three months, over 150 tools, including many major lay-up tools, have been fabricated and shipped to the new Learjet 85 aircraft component manufacturing site. Equipment installation has progressed well with the completion of the clean room for lay-up activity, freezer installation to house the composite material, and installation of three ovens.
The factory layout makes use of the latest lean manufacturing methodologies. Bombardier Aerospace Mexico's manufacturing responsibility for the Learjet 85 aircraft program includes fuselage lay-up and sub-system installation, wiring harness fabrication and installation, wing assembly, and horizontal and vertical stabilizer assemblies.
"Through the consistent manufacture and on-time delivery of high-quality components and assemblies to Bombardier manufacturing sites around the globe, the Queretaro site has already proven that it operates at a world-class level," said Real Gervais, Vice President, Operations, Bombardier Aerospace Mexico. "We now continue towards our goal of becoming a centre of excellence for composite manufacturing."
"We are on target with all of our program objectives, and production of the first composite parts for the Learjet 85 aircraft at our Mexico facility is underway," said Ralph Acs, Vice President, Learjet 85, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
Bombardier Aerospace in Queretaro
First established in 2006, operations at Bombardier's facility in Mexico have grown to employ more than 1,200 workers and include the manufacture of structural aircraft components, including the Global business jet family aft fuselage, the Q400 NextGen aircraft flight control work package (rudder, elevator and horizontal stabilizer) and the CRJ700/900/1000 NextGen and Challenger 605/850 aircraft rudders, as well as main harnesses and electrical sub-assemblies for Bombardier business and commercial aircraft.
Bombardier and its employees in Queretaro are very involved in the local community. The company is a long-term supporter of the Sierra Gorda World Biosphere Reserve and provides resources for three specific projects that have an effect on the global and local environment, whether through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the responsible use of natural resources or the development of programs that increase community well-being. Causa Queretaro, a group run by employees, organizes projects in an effort to help needy sectors within the community, and Bombardier supports these projects with funds received through its recycling program.
The new Learjet 85 aircraft - Redefining the midsize segment
Launched on October 30, 2007, with a customer-driven clean-sheet design, the Learjet 85 aircraft is positioned between the midsize Learjet 60 XR and the super-midsize Challenger 300 jets.
True to its legendary heritage, the Learjet 85 aircraft is set to deliver the extraordinary performance, superior technology and exceptional value Learjet aircraft owners expect. The jet is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307B engines, each boasting 6,100 pounds of take-off thrust at sea level 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) and low noise levels, while the advanced low NOx emission combuster offers reduced environmental impact. The Learjet 85 aircraft targets a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82 and a transcontinental range of up to 3,000 nautical miles (5,556 km)(i).
The new Learjet 85 aircraft flight deck combines advanced technology with superior design elements for a cockpit environment unlike any other midsize jet. The latest in technological advancements and superior design aesthetics from Bombardier's Global Vision flight deck are carried over to the Learjet 85 aircraft in order to create the ultimate Learjet aircraft flight control environment.
The aircraft's customized version Cabin Management System, developed by Lufthansa Technik, will feature a high-capacity Ethernet network with a digital amplifier to feed the high-fidelity speaker system and an interface to support the aircraft cabin environment, including lighting and temperature control. The system's open architecture also allows for easy integration of third-party equipment and new applications, such as high-definition features.
Learjet is the first name in corporate aviation. Since acquiring Learjet Inc. in 1990, Bombardier Aerospace has carried forward the brand's proud legacy by launching eight high-performance and fuel-efficient Learjet aircraft.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2010, were $19.4 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com (http://www.bombardier.com) .
Notes to editors
(i) The Learjet 85 aircraft's long-range cruise speed of M.78 with two crew, four passengers (200 lb each) and 100 NM NBAA IFR reserves assumes standard BOW, sea level departure and landing, unrestricted climb, cruise and descent with zero wind and standard (ISA) conditions en route.
Statements about performance and design as stated in this document are solely based on projections and forecasts, and are subject to change without notice.
Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Challenger 850, CRJ700, CRJ900, CRJ1000, Global, Global Vision, Learjet, Learjet 60, Learjet 85, NextGen, Q400 and XR are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
