How Fast does a Learjet Fly

During the first flying ceremony in Wichita, Eric Martel, president of the Bombardier Business Airport, said: "Learjet 85's maiden voyage was a very proud and exciting occasion for all Tombardier staff. Unbelievable efforts and commitment of our staff flowed into this airplane design programme. We' re all very pleased to be flying this new plane, the quickest and most roomy Learjet ever, and we' re looking forward to a very fruitful test programme."

Two Pratt & Whitney PW307B turbo-fans, delivering 6,100 lbs of thrusts, power the Lear 85. Three 15-inch Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion displays are fitted on the flying decks of the Pro Line Fusion series. The Lear 85 seats up to eight people and is 68.1 ft long with a 61.5 ft span.

Since 1963 Learnjets have been in service and once set the Los Angeles to Washington D.C. airspeed records of 4h12. She was overshadowed in 2004 by the SR-71 Blackbird, which in 64 min flown her on her last plane to retire at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar Hazy National Air & Space Museum.

There are five good reason to fly a personal plane

Businesses and businessmen alike rely on flying in their own aircraft for efficiencies, versatility and security. Even though some privately owned aircraft can fly quicker than passenger aircraft (the Gulfstream G650 has a top cruising range of 982 km/h), the greatest amount of personal aircraft savings is the end of needless delays while on the road.

The next times you fly an airliner, you' re counting the minute - or even the hour - between your arrival at the airfield and your actual takeoff. Remember the immigrant and safety routes, the amount of boarding times for all your travelers, and the long waiting times for your baggage after landing.

If you are flying in a personal plane, the mean wait at an FBO is about five or six mins. All the more reason to save your precious valuable travel hours when your company aircraft allow you to fly directly and prevent connections or - as often as possible - when you fly to a company aircraft nearer your final destinations.

Privately owned aircraft in the USA can fly to around tenfold the number of passenger aircraft (over 5,000 vs. around 550). Additional access to personal aircraft is all the more advantageous if you want to travel to parts of the globe that are not well serviced by the airline; a single seat trip can virtually spare you several travelers.

Busi ness jet offers the passenger the opportunity to undertake busi ness travel which would be virtually unfeasible with conventional airline companies. Smaller planes like Cessna's Citation Mustang make it possible to have daily gatherings in Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Milan and still bring you home that evening.

Larger airplanes, able to fly ever quicker and farther, can hold breakfasts in Hong Kong, busines lunches in Shanghai and dinners in Mumbai. If you fly in a personal plane, you have full command of your own timetable. So you can quickly set up an airplane or make a last-minute modification with your cell telephone.

Also if you want to modify your plan and arrive halfway after the plane has left, this is usually not a biggie. You are only a domicile number for airline companies. While in a personal plane, the crews are really there to help you; they will turn to you with your name and deal with you as a valuable client.

Or you can leave out the vacuum-packed lodge you're used to while you' eat on airline flights, there are now many specialized caterers offering delicious food for privately jetted travellers and even Michelin-star cooks. The smallest planes - even if not much larger than a single vehicle - offer enough room to bed, enjoy and do your work.

Located at the greater end of the personal jets range, rebuilt commercial aircraft - also known as "Bizliners" - are often referred to as "flying apartments" and comprise fully equipped baths, main bedroom and furnishings that are as elaborate as you can possibly fancy. However, the convenience of doing your corporate air travel begins before you get on your own plane.

Book your flights on-line - and new member airlines such as Wheels Up - using technologies to eliminate the hassle normally associated with making a reservation. As soon as you get to the FBO and/or the airline company guarantees that your personal aircraft adventure will be as convenient as possible and provides flawless standard services until you get to your ultimate goal.

For good reasons privately owned aircraft are referred to as "private". If you are on the boat, you can act as if you were at home or talking shop without taking the risks of endangering your confidential information. Bigger personal jet planes also have their own meeting rooms so you can make the most of your stay at 40,000 feet.

A good operator of a privately owned aircraft has perfect security documents. It selects the best pilot after a thorough recruiting procedure and uses security managment tools that compete with any commercially available carrier. For those jurisdictions where a number of events have occurred involving your company's own carriers, some will only allow their employees to fly on a personal plane because they think it is much more secure.

If you own a privately owned aircraft, you also have the liberty to choose your own pilots and crews to ensure safety.