Bombardier Unveils the Learjet 75 Liberty
The Canadian manufacturer Bombardier unveiled the Learjet 75 Liberty as its newest offering in the storied business jet brand. Itis a rescoped aircraft that is cost-competitive from an operating cost perspective but also purchase cost perspective with Part 23 light jets. To accomplish this, the Liberty will have fewer seats and options than the original Learjet, shaving about USD 3 million off the price tag while keeping the performance
Bombardier hopes the lower price tag will drive a new segment of buyers to the Wichita-assembled aircraft, which has seen steadily declining deliveries over the past five years to just a dozen last year, according to data from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
At USD 9.9 million, the Liberty sheds two seats in the forward cabin, for a total of six seats, replaced by two fold-down ottomans and fold-out tables, creating what it calls the “executive suite” for the two remaining seats in the forward section of the cabin, which is separated from the cockpit by a sliding pocket door. In the aft cabin, the four remaining seats are placed in a club configuration. You get a light jet that not only flies faster and further, but also has the largest seated room in the cabin in this category.
What was standard on the Learjet 75 will be optional on the Liberty, such as the APU and external lights. “It is this somewhat more flexible approach to the program that allows us to get in the price range to more directly compete with light jets in the Part 23 realm,” Masluch said (Bombardier Business Aircraft spokesman), noting that the Liberty will retain the Part 25 certification.
Liberty essentially replaces what the market has known as the Learjet 75. Customers who would want a Learjet 75 would simply order the options that come with the Liberty, as well as an eight-seat cabin. “Having a product that’s competitive and aligned with market demand is going to really help stabilize the long-term manufacturing part of the Wichita site,” Masluch added.
The jet retains its 51,000-foot ceiling and its high-speed cruise remains Mach 0.79, but range improves by 40 nm to 2,080 nm. Also standard on the Liberty is the Bombardier Vision flight deck with the recently announced upgrade to the jet's Garmin G5000 avionics, as well as Gogo ATG 4G wireless connectivity. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2020.
