The Wing that Will Take Flight Into the Future

April 8, 2010

Stronger, faster and more agile, the Learjet 85 represents a new generation of Learjet excellence whose performance prowess and handling characteristics are driven in large part by its fourth generation supercritical wing design. The story behind this incredible airfoil began decades ago in 1976 when Bombardier applied a first generation supercritical wing to the Challenge 600 business jet. After designing the first generation wing in the wind tunnel by trial and error, more sophisticated tools were used to optimize the second, third and finally fourth generation wings, that enabled more precise connection between computational fluid models and reality. At every phase, Bombardier has continually improved, innovated and optimized this technology throughout the development of our Global Express, CRJ700 and CSeries aircraft.

Supercritical advantages

The flow over the aircraft wing is said to be supercritical when the flow reaches supersonic speeds. While the performance of a conventional airfoil deteriorates rapidly as soon as supersonic flow appears over the wing, supercritical wings are specifically designed to operate in that flow envelope, so they are able to maintain good lift-to-drag ratio for much higher speeds than conventional airfoils. However, advantages don’t stop there. Because of its unique design, a supercritical wing enables the aircraft to also fly farther and higher with better efficiencies.

Leveraging proven technology

The Learjet 85 supercritical wing builds on the knowledge and technology of the CSeries composite wing. Like the CSeries, the primary structural components of the Learjet 85 supercritical wing will be manufactured using the unique RTI (Resin Transfer Infusion) process developed by Bombardier. Most of today’s programs use material that is supplied pre-impregnated with resin, which binds the fibers together to create the hard durable structure when it is cured. However, Bombardier has taken advanced composite technology further with RTI. The process uses ‘dry’ fabrics to create the structure and then the resin is injected into the structure after it is placed in the autoclave.  From the production floor to first flight and beyond, this process benefits everyone. For example, during production significant material savings and reduced cycle times are gained. For customers, the corrosion-free properties of the materials used in the composite wing translate into reduced inspection and maintenance activities and more time in the air. Furthermore, the process also has proven to improve external wing smoothness as compared to a conventional metal wing, and in doing so reduce fuel burn while providing significant environmental benefits.

Opening the performance envelope

With its supercritical wing and composite technology leadership, the Learjet 85 will open the performance envelope as never before, giving pilots the unprecedented speed, range and handling characteristics they want with excellent operating economics. And, as a result, increase both the value of this extraordinary aircraft and peace-of-mind for owners around the world.