Learjet 45

BRIEF HISTORY – LEARJET 45

BOMBARDIER LEARJET 45 (1998-2008)
Joseph-Armand Bombardier was an innovative and creative young mechanic who could not stop taking broken things apart, tinkering, and repurposing them, much to his family and friends amusement. On a cold day in January, tragedy struck. What would happen next would not only change the face of aviation, but go on to change the world as we know it. Read the rest of Bombardier’s origin story. Bombardier Aviation began designing the Learjet 45 in 1989 but did not announce it to the public until September 1992. The Model 45 was Learjet’s first “clean sheet” design (all other models having been evolved from the original 1963 Learjet design, the Model 23). The Model 45 was created to radically improve Learjet’s competitiveness. The prototype aircraft made its first flight on October 7, 1995. FAA certification was delayed until September 1997, and the first customer aircraft were delivered in mid-1998, nearly ten years after Bombardier began designing this aircraft from scratch. It went through 4 variants –  the Model 45, Model 45XR, Model 40, Model 40XR. Over the span of two decades, this was Learjet Division’s flagship product until the release of the Model 75 version in 2012.

CABIN COMFORTS – LEARJET 45
The aircrafts layout is centered on a flat-floor cabin with a non-circular cross-section for added headroom. The conventional interior configuration includes eight passenger seats in a double-club configuration and a fully enclosed aft lavatory with a hard door and a window (which can be used as a ninth seat). An external compartment in the rear of the aircraft holds 50 cubic feet of luggage and the internal compartment in the aft lavatory holds an extra 15 cubic feet. The Learjet 45’s cabin has ample space and the seats are extremely easy to use for swiveling, reclining, and tracking.Do not be fooled by these measurements; the cabin of the Learjet 45 was designed to maximize useful passenger space while avoiding cramped conditions. Other details in the cabin’s design contribute to its functionality and comfort. From fold-out work tables to a refreshment center near the flight deck. The cabin’s noise level is limited to 72dB, and a two-zone climate control system maintains a suitable temperature in both the cabin and cockpit.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE – LEARJET 45
The Learjet 45 is powered by two TFE 731-20AR engines, each producing 3,500 pounds of thrust and consuming a total 198 gallons of fuel per hour (GPH). The Learjet 45’s range is 1,420 nautical miles when operating under NBAA IFR 4 passenger conditions with available fuel. While the Learjet 45 was still in development, the FAA tightened anti-ice regulations. This caused some delays due to redesigns. It came as a shock to no one that when the LR45 returned, it was equipped with the most advanced anti-ice system developed for a light or mid-sized jet.The anti-icing mechanism on the engine has been fully reworked for improved ice removal. The solution achieved is quite impressive. While the ice removal system is in use, the bleed air load balancing software raises the engines’ total thrust and accelerates the rate of climb. The software balances the bleed air system between the two engines to provide consistent performance. The aircraft has a climb time of 23 minutes and six seconds to reach its initial cruise altitude. The cruise speed on the long range is 420 knots, and the maximum operational altitude is 51,000 ft.

FLIGHT DECK – LEARJET 45
The aircraft is equipped with a Honeywell Primus 1000 electronic flight and information system, which includes a Primus 1000 digital autopilot and flight director, as well as an Engine Instrument and Crew Advisory System (EICAS), and a Honeywell Primus 660 weather radar. Primus II is the outfitted navigation and communications system. The aircraft is capable of being equipped with a Honeywell TCAS II traffic alert and collision avoidance system.Two crew members are accommodated in the ergonomically configured cockpit. Electric defogging and anti-icing are standard on the windscreen. The dual independent anti-icing and de-icing systems include anti-icing on the engine inlets, wings, and tail plane leading edges via engine bleed air. The pitot probes contain an electric de-icing technology.

CHARTER A LEARJET 45
Although the Model 45 is nearly two decades old, there are well over 500 Learjet 45’s active, in service worldwide. There have been 642 Model 45’s sold in total and it is easy to see why they were so popular. With its spacious and quiet cabin, passengers have enough room to be able to relax and recharge or even conduct a conversation with another passenger without yelling! The Learjet 45 is also one of the fastest aircraft in the Super Light Jet category keeping in line with the long time reputation held by Learjet’s of having impressive speed! If you have a 3+ hour flight with 6-8 passengers, the Learjet 45 is a fantastic aircraft for your trip. CharterJets Inc. features the newest and highest safety rated Learjet 45’s available. Reach out today to discuss your upcoming travel!