Projects
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Bombardier, Learjet 85
Morson Praxis were appointed by Bombardier to provide Design Phase Support for the Learjet 85, supporting the development of one of the most advanced business jets of its time. The project focused on composite aircraft structures and required a highly skilled and flexible engineering team to meet Bombardier’s ambitious design and manufacturing goals.
Client Brief
Delivering Expert Design Support for Learjet 85
Bombardier required expert support for the Learjet 85, particularly in the areas of wing and fuselage design and stress analysis. The client sought a team capable of integrating with their international offices, using advanced composite modelling techniques, and contributing to a programme with high technical complexity and strict timelines.
Project Overview
High-Precision Composite Aircraft Development
In November 2008, Morson Praxis sourced a dedicated team in Montreal to support the Learjet 85 wing and fuselage concept design phase. From May 2009, part of the team migrated back to the UK to continue work packages locally, leaving a small liaison team in Montreal. In December 2009, Morson Praxis was awarded the Detail Definition Phase contract for critical components including the fuselage, nose cone, doors, horizontal stabilizer, rudder, ailerons, winglets, and spoilers. At its peak, over 150 aerospace engineers worked on the project, including 104 design engineers and 51 stress engineers.
Image Gallery
Capturing the precision and innovation behind Learjet 85 design
Our Solution
End-to-End Structural and Stress Engineering
Morson Praxis delivered full Design Phase Support using advanced tools such as Catia v5 and FiberSIM for the composite structure, which comprises over 80% of the Learjet 85. The team applied innovative manufacturing processes, integrating JDP FEM data and Catia geometry into FiberSIM to produce accurate composite manufacturing models. A “Proof of Concept” approach was implemented from design through to manufacture to reduce technical risks. The Design Centre Integration Team maintained a high-definition IT link to Bombardier’s Montreal and Wichita teams with full live Enovia database access. Rapid scaling of the in-house team was achieved, increasing from 30 to 100 engineers within six weeks in January 2010. Services provided included structural design and analysis, project and programme management, and control, electrical, and instrumentation engineering.
Results
Seamless Integration and Scalable Engineering Team
Morson Praxis successfully supported Bombardier through all design phases, delivering high-quality, fully integrated engineering models and analysis for the Learjet 85. The collaborative approach and rapid scaling of resources ensured adherence to programme timelines, mitigated technical risks, and facilitated the seamless integration of composite manufacturing processes into the overall aircraft design.
