Bombardier produced 127 business aircraft in the first nine months of this year, compared with 100 aircraft in the whole of 1998, Bombardier business aircraft president Robert Gillespie said here Tuesday. Production is up 67% compared with 1998, and the company claims 30% of the business market by value.

The arrival of the Learjet 45 and the Global Express -- Bombardier has built 22 of the big aircraft this year, but they are all still in completion centers -- accounts for some of the production increase, but the fractional market has boosted sales across the board, says Gillespie. Production of the Learjet 60 is being increased from two to three aircraft a month in 2000 to meet market demand, "and it could go higher."

Bombardier is working to reduce the completion cycle time on the Global Express from 40 to 28 weeks, to catch up on delivery delays. Three aircraft have been delivered to customers, and together with Bombardier's demonstrator have flown a total of 1,604 hours. Category II approval is due for early 2000, and a number of performance improvements are being considered, according to Bombardier engineering VP John Holding.

Global Express takeoff weight is being increased to 95,000 pounds, with a possible further bump to 96,000 pounds. This will allow the aircraft to maintain its performance with a heavier interior: Bombardier originally projected a 6,000-pound interior weight, but the average for aircraft configured to date is 6,800 pounds, and some carry more than 8,000 pounds in furnishings. Bombardier also plans to demonstrate a 500-foot reduction in take-off field length, and is looking at minor aerodynamic improvements which would add 150-200 nmi to range.

There are no plans for enhanced or synthetic vision on the Global Express in the near term. Only a minority of customers have opted for the head-up display (versus 80% of Gulfstream V customers) which makes enhanced vision an expensive option. "It has to be certificated to Category III to justify the cost," says Holding.

Development of the Continental super mid-size jet is on schedule. Some 250 partner-company personnel who have been taking part in the product definition process in Montreal will return to their home companies at the end of November to start detail design. Since June, when the company started converting letters of intent to firm orders, finalized contracts have been signed for 35 Continentals. Total commitments stand at more than 100 aircraft.

Bombardier has no activity in the supersonic business jet field, says Holding. "There are investment and technological problems related to the powerplants, and tremendous technological and environmental concerns," says Holding. "We have plenty of things on our plate to keep ourselves busy."