Aircelle's engine nacelle for Bombardier's Learjet 85 aircraft makes its public debut at NBAA 2013

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, October 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The Learjet 85* aircraft's engine nacelle was formally unveiled today by Aircelle (Safran) at the NBAA 2013 business aviation exhibition in Las Vegas, where it was declared ready for the first flight of Bombardier Aerospace's all new business aircraft.

Presenting the nacelle during an inauguration ceremony on the Safran corporate exhibit stand was Aircelle Chairman and CEO Martin Sion, who was joined by Ralph Acs, Vice President & General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft and Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Vice President, Supply Chain, Business Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace.

"The Learjet name has historically been associated with performance and quality," said Martin Sion. "Aircelle is proud to be the Learjet 85 aircraft's complete nacelle supplier, contributing to a new chapter in the history of this illustrious aircraft family."

Aircelle has design, production, supply and support responsibility for the nacelle package on the Learjet 85 aircraft's two Pratt & Whitney PW307B turbofan engines, including the air inlet, fan cowl doors and patented Aircelle PERT® two-door thrust reverser system, along with full nacelle integration. The nacelle is supplied by Aircelle directly to Bombardier.

Innovation applied by Aircelle on the Learjet 85 nacelle includes its use of lighter-weight composite structural parts, the application of acoustic treatment on an air inlet produced with composites, and the development of complex-shaped machined parts that integrate multiple functions on a single piece - such as the thrust reverser doors and beams.

Martin Sion noted that in its supplier role to Bombardier Aerospace, Aircelle is committed to maintaining on-time delivery schedules from the start and providing a mature nacelle system for the Learjet 85 aircraft.

* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries

About Aircelle

Aircelle is one of the leading players in the worldwide nacelle market for aircraft engines. A subsidiary of Safran, it employs nearly 3,000 people on seven sites in France, the United Kingdom and Morocco. Aircelle is the only nacelle manufacturer in the world present on all the market segments, from regional and business aircraft to the largest airliners, including the Airbus A380. Aircelle also is developing the worldwide customer support and service activity for nacelles and their components.