Bombardier today announced that its midsize Learjet 60 XR business jet entered service this week with Cloud Nine Aviation, of Los Angeles, CA. The program milestone was highlighted with an employee delivery ceremony at the Learjet manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas.

"We are delighted to celebrate this first entry into service and look forward to giving our customers the opportunity to fully experience this fantastic new jet," said Mike Fahey, vice-president, Learjet sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "The Learjet 60 XR jet combines unparallelled performance and low operating costs with new technology and enhanced comfort. Our customers are sure to love this new aircraft as much as it popular predecessor."

All the new features available aboard the Learjet 60 XR jet are present in this first aircraft, including a state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and a redesigned interior focused on maximizing comfort and functionality in the aircraft's stand-up cabin.

Learjet is the first name in corporate aviation. Since acquiring Learjet in 1990, Bombardier has carried forward the brand's proud legacy by launching seven high-performance and fuel-efficient Learjet aircraft, the most recent being the midsize Learjet 60 XR. The list price of a typically equipped Learjet 60 XR business jet is approximately $13.3 million U.S.

State-of-the-art avionics system and restyled cabin

The Pro Line 21 avionics suite features the latest flight deck design, human factors concepts and system technology, equipping pilots with immediate, intuitive access to vital flight information. The integrated avionics package, includes four 8-inch by 10-inch (20.3 cm by 25.4 cm) high-resolution liquid crystal display adaptive flight screens, boosting the overall display area by an impressive 75 per cent, and dramatically increasing the quality of the visuals. The integrated flight information system, which includes electronic charts access as standard equipment, allows pilots to view approach plates and airport diagrams.

Retaining the original Learjet 60 aircraft's stand-up cabin, the totally redesigned interior features five available floorplans, a larger galley, a brighter and more spacious lavatory, a new cabin management system with three-inch (7.6-cm) LCD control modules and ports for laptops, MP3 players and other audio/video equipment. In addition, LED lighting is featured throughout the cabin.

Outstanding performance

The original Learjet 60 aircraft delivers transcontinental range, outstanding climb capabilities, sophisticated avionics and proven, fuel-efficient engines. On a typical mission, the midsize veteran is up to 16 per cent more fuel-efficient than its competitors.

The new Learjet 60 XR business jet builds on this successful platform to offer customers the most modern technology and comfort without compromising its outstanding performance and value. The aircraft's higher operating altitudes - certified to 51,000 ft (15,545 m) - translate to time savings due to better winds, less traffic and less turbulence. With a high cruise speed of Mach 0.81 (863 km/h), the Learjet 60 XR is one of the fastest aircraft in its category.