TYPE: Medium-range business jet.

PROGRAMME: Announced 3 October 1990 as Learjet 55C successor; first flight of proof-of-concept aircraft with one PW305 turbofan 18 October 1990; flight testing resumed 13 June 1991 with two PW305s and stretched fuselage; certification expected September 1992; first production delivery third quarter 1992.

COSTS: Standard aircraft price $7,900,000 (October 1990).

DESIGN FEATURES: Largest Learjet; P&WC PW305 engines; T-tail; winglets; Delta Fins.

FLYING CONTROLS: Spoilers can be partially extended to adjust descent rates.

POWER PLANT: Two P&WC PW305 turbofans, each flat-rated at 19.57 kN (4,400 lb st) at up to 27°C (80°F). Total fuel capacity 3,561 kg (7,850 lb).

ACCOMMODATION: Two crew and six to nine passengers; gross pressure cabin volume 15.49 m³ (547 cu ft); compared with 55C, main cabin is 0.71 m (2 ft 4 in) longer and rear baggage hold section 0.38 m (1 ft 3 in) longer; full-across aft toilet has flat floor, large mirror and external servicing; total 1.67 m³ (59 cu ft) baggage capacity divided between an externally accessible hold (larger than that of Learjet 55C) and internal pressurised, heated compartment that is accessible in flight; galley cabinet has storage for dinnerware, warming oven, cold liquid dispensers and ice storage; 10-way adjusting Erda seating is standard.

SYSTEMS: Windscreen demisted by electrically heated gold film which also diminishes sun heating in flight and on ground and produces warmth during prolonged flight at high altitude. Full-time digital steer-by-wire nosewheel control operates throughout taxying, take-off and landing.

AVIONICS: Standard fully integrated all-digital Collins Pro Line 4 avionics include EFIS, dual digital air data computers, dual navigation and communications radios, dual automatic heading and attitude reference systems (AHRS), advanced Collins autopilot and long-range navaid as standard; circuit breaker and controls panels redistributed, as in Learjet 31A.