Bombardier has marked the 40th anniversary of the first flight of a Learjet by certifying its latest addition, the Learjet 40.

The aircraft, which was initially introduced at the 2002 Farnborough Air Show, was awarded certification from the FAA and this was officially announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2003. The first certificate of airworthiness was awarded to serial number 45-2001 on September 18, 2003.

“The development and cert-ification of this aircraft proceeded very smoothly, allowing it to be

the quickest Learjet to market since that first Learjet 23,” said Peter Edwards, president, Bombarder Business Aircraft.

“The Learjet 40 can cruise at speeds up to Mach 0.81 (534 mph), it has a maximum range of 1,857 nautical miles (3,439 km) with four passengers, a crew of two and instrument flight rules reserves. It can operate at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet,” Edwards added.

Compared to the orginal Learjet 45, it offers redesigned seats which are two inches wider and result in six inches of additional legroom.