LEARJET 31 WITH RAISBECK ZR LITE PERFORMANCE SYSTEM COMPLETES FAA CERTIFICATION FLIGHTS
December 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Yvette Marquez-Kent
Director of Marketing Services
206-723-2000
yvette@raisbeck.com
LEARJET 31 WITH RAISBECK ZR LITE PERFORMANCE SYSTEM COMPLETES FAA CERTIFICATION FLIGHTS
The Raisbeck-equipped Learjet 31A used for development of Raisbeck Engineering’s ZR LITE Technology on the Learjet 31 series has completed FAA flight certification on its way to the marketplace next January 2007.
The major milestone was reached after an intensive development flight test series that optimized the ZR LITE’s drag reduction, providing 7% to 12% in fuel savings for Learjet 31 operators.
The ZR LITE-equipped Learjet, 31A-136, accumulated nearly 100 hours over the past several months, flying from Galvin Flying Services at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington. Program manager Nate Lachendro and his flight-test team of pilots, instrumentation engineers, analysts and ground crew completed the certification flights on Monday morning, November 20th.
RVSM Compatibility along with Hi-speed Drag Reduction
“All tests showed improvement over the baseline Learjet 31A and produced an overall drag reduction with the ZR LITE system of as much as 12% at the airplane’s Mmo of .81,” according to Lachendro. “When combined with the increased cruise altitude achievable at the airplane’s heavier weights, even greater fuel savings are possible,” he added. Full compatibility with all currently certified RVSM systems was also achieved.
The ZR LITE System for the Learjet 31 series uses Raisbeck Engineering’s ZR Technology, which first resulted in the ZR LITE package for the Learjet 35/36 series. Certified in late 2004, it is being installed worldwide by Raisbeck Authorized Installation Centers.
The ZR LITE package for the 31 series consists mainly of new trailing edge flaps with reflexed and contoured surfaces to minimize drag rise and maximize overall airplane lift-to-drag ratio throughout all phases of flight from takeoff to touchdown.
Full FAA certification is expected this month, with first production ZR LITE systems to be delivered in kit form in January, 2007. Initial price for the kit will be under $100,000, not including installation and painting.
Orders are being taken this month for first installations to be performed at Raisbeck Authorized Installation Centers, including Aero-Dienst, Avcon Industries, Bombardier Aviation Services-Tucson and Wichita Service Centers, Duncan Aviation, Galvin Flying Service, Stevens Aviation-Greenville, and West Star Aviation.
NEW CONTOURED FLAP AND FLAP ELEMENT FOR RAISBECK LEARJET 31/31A ZR LITE SYSTEM
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New flap elements constitute the major portion of the new Raisbeck ZR-LITE drag-reducing package for the Learjet 31 fleet. Careful tailoring of the flap angles over its entire span has reduced the supersonic shock-inducing flow between the nacelle, wing, pylon, and fuselage. The Raisbeck ZR LITE flap is new aft of the flap’s spar, but retains the original actuation mechanism. Field installation is performed by authorized installation centers or at fleet users’ maintenance facilities.
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