"The Jet Age" Rodeo Drive Concours, Bombardier Aerospace And Flexjet Celebrate Learjet's 50th Anniversary

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Learjet's 50^th anniversary, Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance will welcome the revolutionary Learjet 85 aircraft as the first full-scale aircraft mock-up to ever appear on the famous street. The Learjet 85 is designed by Bombardier Aerospace, the world's leading business aircraft manufacturer, and is available for fractional jet ownership exclusively through Flexjet.

The Rodeo Drive Committee – in conjunction with the City of Beverly Hills – has selected "THE JET AGE" as the 2013 theme to honor this milestone. "We are excited to join Flexjet and Bombardier to honor Learjet's golden anniversary," says Concours Chairman Bruce Meyer.  "The Jet Age marked a time when carmakers from post World War II through the arrival of the super sonic Concorde in the '70s redesigned their automobiles to highlight the most extreme designs reflecting streamlining and speed!  We will display a thrilling exhibit reflecting these often outrageous designs." 

The annual Father's Day tradition features a wide variety of vintage and racing cars and motorcycles lining Rodeo Drive north from Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard on Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As the 2013 featured brand, Bombardier Aerospace and Flexjet will together present the Learjet 85 aircraft full-scale mock-up as the centerpiece of the 200 block of Rodeo Drive. Designed from a clean sheet, the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft is the first far part 25 business jet built using composites in both the wings and the fuselage, and features the latest advances in aerodynamics, structures and efficiency. Mindfully created based on owner preferences, the Learjet 85 aircraft features a spacious stand-up cabin, transcontinental range and powerful, low-emissions engines for a class that is truly its own.

"Fifty years ago, the first Learjet aircraft took flight thanks to the innovative and adventurous spirit of Bill Lear, who invented the business jet category," said Deanna White, President, Flexjet. " "Flexjet is proud to further his legacy by offering fractional shares on the Learjet 85 aircraft, defining a new benchmark in the evolution of private aviation."

The 300 block of Rodeo Drive will feature autos inspired by the Jet Age, with smooth aero-dynamic body shapes from the 1950s and 60s, representing the optimism of the future with exciting visual elements such as fin tails, chrome-plated steel grilles and white-wall tire applications.

On the 400 block of Rodeo Drive, the event will once again showcase "The Best of the Best" with pre-1975 classic cars of any brand considered by the show's curators. This year's Concours will also feature a special tribute to other marques celebrating special anniversaries.

"We are thrilled to honor Bombardier's Learjet and Flexjet as the featured brand at this year's Concours," said Jim Jahant, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee. "It will be the first time we have a full-size aircraft cabin mock-up parked on Rodeo Drive, so the 2013 Concours d'Elegance will be historic for Beverly Hills and a must-see for residents and visitors alike."

The Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance is produced by the Rodeo Drive Committee in association with the City of Beverly Hills.  

Rodeo Drive, internationally recognized as the intersection of fashion and entertainment, is a unique destination for both Southern California residents, as well as visitors from around the globe. More than 100 distinguished retailers create an unparalleled atmosphere only found on the three blocks of this famed street. 

The Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance has been named one of the "300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World" by top travel publisher Frommer's. 

The world-class car show is free and open to the public.  For more information and registration details, please visit rodeodrive-bh.com.

Learjet 85 aircraft: The Learjet 85 aircraft lives up to its nomenclature with its sleek Learjet lines, legendary performance, and blends the newest technology to deliver an aircraft that will redefine the midsize segment with the largest Learjet to date. With its stand up cabin and superior design, this jet will be able to seamlessly fly 3,000 nm (5,556 km) and with a maximum operating speed of up to M0.82 (470 kts, 871 km/h). It can link Los Angeles to Honolulu, and with its Bombardier Vision Flight Deck, the Learjet 85 offers pilots the most sophisticated cockpit in its class. 

About Flexjet
Richardson, Texas-based Flexjet—a division of Bombardier, the world's largest business aviation manufacturer—first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995.  Flexjet now offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services. Flexjet's fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter

Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 14^th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft—the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately five years—including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets.  For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com.

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program. All other flights (e.g. Flexjet 25 jet card program, charter brokerage program, etc.) are provided by certificated air carriers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as Flexjet is not an air carrier.

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card Program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer with on-demand charter broker services when arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, they posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow on Twitter @Bombardier.

*Under certain operating conditions

Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Learjet 85 and XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

The Learjet 85 aircraft is still under development and has yet to be certified. The aircraft is subject to change without prior notice.

SOURCE Flexjet