Bombardier's Continental Developing at 'Rapid Pace'

Development of the Bombardier Continental business jet is proceeding as planned as the first major subassembly for the first aircraft-the forward fuselage-was recently delivered by Canadair to Learjet for final assembly in Wichita.

"The Continental business jet is developing at a rapid pace, final assembly is on schedule and we should be able to see a completed aircraft soon," said Rob Gillespie, president of Bombardier's Business Aircraft unit.

The Continental assembly facility in Wichita was scheduled to be fully operational by the time of NBAA, with assembly under way of the first aircraft (s/n 20001). Component deliveries from risk-sharing partners are proceeding.

All test rigs were commissioned on-schedule, and the majority have been shipped to Wichita. The Honeywell AS907 high-bypass-ratio, 6,500 pounds thrust turbofan that will power the Continental has accumulated more than 1,000 test hours, confirming all performance predictions. Design, testing and certification is on track, with the tailcone certification testing already successfully completed with Transport Canada.

Final assembly of the first aircraft was scheduled to have begun about now, and should be completed with official rollout next spring. First flight is scheduled for mid-2001, followed by a five-aircraft flight test program leading to certification in the autumn of 2002. First customer delivery is planned for December 2002.

As it has done with previous aircraft development programs, Bombardier has teamed with international risk-sharing partners for design and production of critical components and systems. Partners include: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which builds the wing; Taiwan's Aerospace Industry Development Corp., which provides the rear fuselage and empennage; and Australia's Hawker de Havilland, which builds the tailcone and APU installation kit.

Shorts in Belfast will supply the center fuselage, and Canadair in Montreal will provide primary flight controls, together with cockpit and forward fuselage sections.

Suppliers of major subsystems include: Messier-Dowty in the UK, which will provide the landing gear; and Parker Aerospace in the U.S., which will supply the entire hydraulics system. The environmental control system will come from Liebherr Aerospace-Toulouse, France, and sister unit Liebherr Aerospace-Germany is developing the flap control system for the aircraft.

In addition to the engine, Honeywell is responsible for the auxiliary power unit. The Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system comes from Rockwell Collins, the complete fuel system will be provided by Intertechnique, and another Group Intertechnique company, ECE, will provide electrical systems.

"All participants in the program have integrated well," said John Lawson, president of sales for Bombardier's Business Aircraft group. "Their knowledge and professionalism (have made) the program a success."

The Continental was launched at least year's Paris Air Show. It fills out Bombardier's line of business jets by meeting transcontinental travel needs in the emerging super midsize segment. Bombardier is positioning it between the Learjet 60 and the widebody Challenger 604.

The Continental offers transcontinental range and long-range cruise for eight passengers and full capability out of 5,000-foot runways. Target range is 3,100 nmi at speed up to Mach 0.82. Its cabin has a flat 143 square-foot floor, and features double-club seating. The baggage compartment provides 100 cubic feet of stowage.

Priced at $14.25 million for an aircraft with paint and interior, the Continental has a projected operating economy of $770 per hour-which the company says is "exceptional" for a super midsize business jet.

Bombardier says it has about 100 orders for the Continental, which includes 25 airplanes that will go to the company's Flexjet fractional ownership program.