Learjet 85: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide

Our guide

The Learjet 85 is the latest and most advanced aircraft in the Learjet family. The first Learjet, the Learjet 23 first flew 1963 and just over 100 aircraft were built, production of the 23 finished in 1966.

Bombardier Learjet 85’s first take-off on maiden flight from Wichita

The Learjet 85 made its maiden flight on 9 April 2014 from Wichita, Kansas. The flight lasted just over 2 hours 15 minutes. This first flight starts the Learjet 85 flight test programme.

Learjet have regularly designed and built new aircraft over the years, both improving the design and extending the aircraft’s range and efficiency.

The Learjet 85 is an aircraft that is constructed only from composite materials. Launched in 2007 at the Dubai Air Show, the first cabin mock-up appearing at the 2008 NBAA convention.

A number of Bombardier factories around the world will build large components and parts of the new aircraft and they in turn will be transported for final assembly in Wichita. The cockpit will be fitted with the Collins Pro-Line Fusion avionic suite.

At the Farnborough Airshow, Ralph Acs gave an update on the progress of the programme, saying it is on time and on schedule.

The first set of wings built in Mexico arrived at Wichita in November 2012 and were mated with the fuselage of the first test vehicle. There is a second test vehicle under construction at Wichita.

Crunching the numbers

Range: 3,455 miles/5,556 kms/3,000 nautical miles

Typical passengers: 8 (typical) – 9 (high density) 
Typical crew: 2
Cabin space: 665 ft3 / 18.83 m3

Maximum Speed: 541 mph/ 870 kmph/mach 0.82  
Recommended cruise: 514 mph/ 828 kmph/mach 0.78

Competitor aircraft: CL-300, CL-605, Citation Sovereign, Citation X, Falcon 2000DX, 2000LX EASy, Legacy 450, Legacy 500, Legacy 600, Gulfstream G150, G200, G250, G350, G450, Hawker 850XP, 900XP, 4000

Total cost for fully fitted new jet: $20.75m
Hourly operating cost: $5,500

First delivery: 2014
World fleet: N/A

Fractional operators include: Flexjet

Aircraft manufacturer: Bombardier
Engine manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
Engine type (number): PW307B (2)