Preparing for Production at the Querétaro Facility

September 24, 2010

Now that construction of the Learjet 85 manufacturing center in Querétaro is complete and manufacturing equipment as well as composite tooling is being installed at the site, we are ready to start production of the new Learjet 85 aircraft. This significant step marks another milestone as we remain on track to meeting all our program objectives and on target for a 2013 entry into service. In preparation for production, approximately 200,000 square feet have been added to the existing Querétaro, Mexico facility to support the aircraft’s composite fuselage manufacturing. The first composite part for the Learjet 85 aircraft is scheduled to take place this year.

Ramping up to meet production requirements

With our production readiness process near completion, the Querétaro site is fast becoming the center of excellence for the composite lay-up process. In support of this process, the site will house approximately 1,000 custom-made tooling molds for manufacturing the Learjet 85 business jet. Currently, three ovens for composite curing are being installed at the state-of-the-art factory, which has been designed with the latest lean manufacturing methodology. All major composite structures will be manufactured at the site and then shipped to the Learjet facilities in Wichita, Kansas, for final assembly, paint, interior completions, test flights and customer deliveries.

Learjet 85 Supplier Symposium

While the Querétaro facility will continue to provide on-schedule, high quality components and assemblies to Bombardier aircraft assembly centers throughout the world, it will also take on the new role of host of the Learjet 85 Supplier Symposium. Scheduled for September 2010, these bi-annual supplier symposiums serve as a platform for information sharing and manufacturing technology learning between the Learjet 85 aircraft team and the various suppliers on the program.