The first Bombardier Learjet 85 wing shipment arrived yesterday at the company’s Wichita assembly line and is now in the process of being readied for mating to the composite fuselage of flight test vehicle one (FTV1).

“Seeing the wings arrive for our first Learjet 85 test aircraft is a wonderful moment…that could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of every single person involved in this project,” said Bombardier Learjet vice president and general manager Ralph Acs. “This development program is gaining ever more momentum as we tirelessly work toward first flight and the first customer delivery.” Service entry of the Learjet 85 is slated for later next year.

Alongside the arrival of the first complete all-composite Learjet 85 aircraft wing, the fuselage for FTV2 has just passed its integrity inspection. Installation of the nose, bulkheads, floor, windshield and door surrounds are scheduled to begin in the coming days, Bombardier said. Once complete, the main fuselage will be shipped with the aft fuselage to the final assembly line.

Wings for the complete aircraft static test article are expected to arrive from Bombardier’s Queretaro, Mexico plant by the end of this month as preparations for static ground testing continues. Meanwhile, all system supplier safety-of-flight test rigs are now up and running.