Learjet 85's maiden flight has been delayed by Bombardier.
What was supposed to be the maiden flight of Learjet 85 at the end of 2013 has now been delayed by Bombardier.
"It will happen in the coming weeks," Bombardier spokeswoman Annie Cossette said on the new business jet's case. "We'll apply for the flight permit with the FAA very shortly."
However, when asked on the real cause of the delay in the first flight of the jet, Cossette didn't give any specific issue.
"There's always some challenges and some new elements we have to take into account," she said adding, "We're very committed to respecting the strict flight test protocol, and some elements of that take longer than what was originally planned."
According to a Kansas.com report, an assembled Learjet 85 was "rolled out of a Learjet hangar" last October alongside a media event.
Sources say the plane was subjected to taxi and pre-flight testing in Wichita ever since it was assembled.
Entry-into-service for the said jet, which accommodates up to eight people, is set to happen summer 2014. But Cossette said that the schedule will be reviewed only when the first flight is achieved.
"Depending on when the first flight occurs, people from the program will get together and review ... if the date needs to be moved," she added.
Bombardier reportedly launched the Learjet 85 program, which is considered as the biggest Learjet to date, last October 2007.
The plan as a range of roughly 3,000 nautical miles and it fits between the midsize and super midsize segments of the business jet market.
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