Before Learjet entered aviation, its roots were planted in the newly established snowmobile industry. After building a snow vehicle at the age of 15, Joseph-Armand Bombardier simply wanted travel to be easier for the citizens of rural Québec, Canada. By 1937, Joseph successfully launched a 7-passenger B7 snowmobile for commercial sale. Five years after launching the B7, he founded L’Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée, which produced snowmobiles into the 1960s.
Laurent Beaudoin, the founder’s son-in-law, became President of the company in 1966. By 1970 Bombardier entered the railway business, focusing on it most following the oil crisis of 1973. Its new business venture included manufacturing cars for Montreal’s subway service. Eventually, Bombardier acquired a $1 billion United States contract in 1982. This supplied 825 subway cars for the New York City Transit Authority.
In 1986, Bombardier purchased Canadair. They are responsible for producing Challenger business jets and CL-215 amphibious firefighting aircraft. The company continued to launch its C series of aircraft in 2008. Bombardier partnered with Airbus on its C series program in 2017 – further establishing it as a global leader in aviation.
Developing The Learjet
Although William Powell “Bill” Lear was not an aerospace engineer, he had several inventions already to his credit. This included the home radio, 8-track stereo, a variety of car radios, and the first jet autopilot. Using the proposed Swiss FFA P-16 fighter jet as inspiration, he designed the initial Learjet under his company the Swiss American Aviation Corporation (SAAC). That company was eventually renamed the Lear Jet Corporation.
Dreaming of a lightweight and luxurious small business aircraft, Lear located his company headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. The initial Learjet took its first flight on October 7, 1963, and received its FAA certification shortly thereafter.
Country of Origin: Canada
Learjet 45 Statistics
- Maximum Speed: 465 kts
- Maximum Range: 1,968 nm
- Maximum Occupants: 8
- Range Of Years Manufactured: 1998-2006
- Total Aircraft Build: 248
- Current Operational Aircraft: About 240
- Useful Load: 6,860 lbs
- Average Sale Value: $4,495,000
- Average Days On Market For Sale: 180
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Learjet 45XR Statistics
The following are the statistics for the latest Learjet 45XR (2012).
- Maximum Speed: 456 kts
- Maximum Range: 2,301 nm
- Maximum Occupants: 8
- Range of Years Manufactured: 2003-2012
- Total Aircraft Build: 208
- Current Operational Aircraft: About 240
- Useful Load: 7,625 lbs.
- Average Sale Value: $5,700,000
- Average Days On Market For Sale: 260 days
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Operational Resources
Operations Manual
Maintenance Document
Local Resources
Manufacturer
Insurance
Learjet 45 And 45XR Details
Interior
Configured for up to 9 passengers, the 45’s aircraft interior features a lavatory, two 4-place club arrangements, and upholstered leather seating. Veneer woodwork is accented throughout the cabin in a high-gloss finish with satin nickel metal hardware. Wi-Fi access is available with LCD screens on board for entertainment.
Exterior
The 45 is a medium-sized business jet with a turbine engine, conventional tail, and winglets. High gloss exterior paint colors include black pearl, arc blue pearl, and cumulus gray pearl.
Avionics
- Honeywell Primus 1000 System
- Four (4) Tube DU-870 EFIS Displays
- Engine Instrument/Crew Alerting System (EICAS)
- Honeywell CD-850 Clearance Delivery Unit
- Dual Honeywell RM-855 Radio Management Units
- Dual Honeywell AV-850A Audio Control Panel
- Dual Honeywell RCZ-833M Integrated (8.33 MHZ)
- Comms
- Dual Honeywell RNZ-851 Integrated Nav Units
- Dual Honeywell IC-600 Integrated Avionics Computers
- Dual Universal UNS-1EW FMS with WAAS
- Dual Honeywell AZ-950 Air Data Computers
- Dual Honeywell DA-800 Digital Acquisition Units
- Dual Honeywell LCR-100 AHRS Computers
- Honeywell Primus WU-660 Weather Radar
- Heads Up XMD075-01 XM Weather Receiver
- Honeywell RT-300 Radio Altimeter
- Dual Honeywell XS-852 Mode S Transponders
- Honeywell TCAS 2000 TCAS II with Change 7.0
- Honeywell Mark V Enhanced GPWS
- Honeywell KHF-1050 HF with Selcal
- Collins ICS-200 Iridium Satcom
- Aircell ATG-4000 Wi-Fi
- Universal Solid State Data Transfer Unit
- Honeywell SSCVR Cockpit Voice Recorder
- L3 FA2100 Flight Data Recorder
- Artex C406-2 Emergency Locator Transmitter
Specifications
Learjet 45
- Max Landing Weight: 19,200 lbs.
- Configuration: Twin Engine, Fanjet Engine
- Max Seats: 10
- Max Takeoff Weight: 20,500 lbs.
- Cruise: 444 kts
- Range: 1,968 nm
- Takeoff (Balanced Field Length): 4,200 ft.
- Landing: 2,990 ft.
- Wing Span: 47 ft. 10 in.
- Length: 57 ft. 11 in.
- Height: 14 ft. 1 in.
- Max Payload: 2,110 lbs.
Learjet 45XR
- Exterior Height: 14 ft. 1 in.
- Wing Span: 47 ft. 10 in.
- Length: 58 ft.
- External Baggage: 50 cu ft.
- Max Takeoff Weight: 21,500 lbs.
- Max Landing Weight: 19,200 lbs.
- Max Payload: 1,875 lbs.
- Max Range: 2,301 nm
- Balanced Field Length: 5,040 ft.
- Max Speed: 456 kts
- Normal Cruise: 436 kts
Learjet Models
Learjet 23
The Learjet 23 is a 6 to 8-seater twinjet introduced in 1964 after taking its first flight a year before. The Learjet became popular for being a fast and efficient small business aircraft. By the time production ended in 1966, 101 aircraft had been delivered.
Learjet 24
Following the 23, Bombardier welcomed the Learjet 24 in 1965. This variant is a 6 to 8-seater twin-engine, high-speed business jet with several improvements like increased cabin pressurization, an extra window on the right side of the cabin, more powerful engines, and other improvements.
Learjet 25
The Learjet 25 accommodates 3 additional passengers compared to previous versions. Bombardier delivered its first Learjet 25 in November 1967.
Learjet 28/29
The Learjet 28 took its first flight in 1977. The 28 seats 8 to 10 passengers and is a twin-engine, high-speed business jet. Immediately following, the Learjet 29 is its twin except for the addition of a long-range fuel tank and reduced capacity to a maximum of 6 passengers. Both of these aircraft were marketed under the name “Longhorn.”
Learjet 31
The Learjet 31 is an American-built twin-engine, high-speed business jet with an increased capacity of up to 10 passengers.
Learjet 35
The 35 is equipped with 2 TFE731-2A engines and was 13 inches longer than its predecessor, the Model 25. Its prototype took its first flight in August 1973. This up to 8-passenger aircraft was FAA-certified in July 1974. A total of 64 base model 35s were produced.
Learjet 35A
The Model 35A is an upgraded Model 35 with TFE731-2-2B engines and a range of 2,789 miles. It also has a fuel capacity of 931 gallons, and refueling is taken care of at ground level through each wingtip tank. Over 600 35As were built before its production line ended in 1993.
Learjet 36
The Model 36 is nearly the same as the 35, except with a larger fuselage fuel tank, giving it a 500 miles longer range.
Learjet 36A
Similar to the 35A, the Model 36A has upgraded engines and a higher maximum gross weight. It was introduced in 1976, replacing the 36.
Learjet 40
Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-20AR engines, known as AR engines, this model offers several performance and comfort improvements taken from the 45 model. The first aircraft produced took its first flight in September 2002.
The Learjet 40XR is an upgraded version introduced in October 2004. It offers higher takeoff weights, faster cruise speeds, and faster time-to-climb rates. It uses configured TFE731-20BR engines known as BR engines.
Learjet 45
The Learjet 45 (LJ45) aircraft is a mid-size business jet aircraft with an all-new design and 4 variants (45, 45XR, 40, and 40XR). It was in production from the 1990s until the introduction of the 75 variant in 2012.
Learjet 55
First announced at the 1977 Paris Air Show, the Learjet 50 series features larger cabins than the existing Learjets. Initially designed for 3 variants, only the 55 was ever built. The Learjet 55 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with NASA-developed winglets. It also has a T-tail and is powered by 2 Garrett TFE731 turbofans mounted on each side of the rear fuselage. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear, cabin for up to 10 passengers, and a cockpit for 2 crew members. The Learjet 55 first flew in April 1979 with production starting in March 1981. 147 Learjet 55 aircraft were delivered.
Learjet 60XR
The Learjet 60 is a mid-size cabin, medium-range business jet powered by 2 Pratt and Whitney Canada PW305A engines with a range of 2,405 nautical miles. Certified deliveries after 2007 were designated as Learjet 60XR deliveries.
Learjet 70/75
The Learjet 70/75 is a mid-sized business jet airplane manufactured by the Learjet division of Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace. With production ending in 2022, the 70/75 is the last Learjet model.
Learjet 85
This variant used computer software design tools and had its first test flight in April 2014. However, development paused in January 2015, eventually canceling the project in October 2015.
Top Learjet 45 And 45XR Questions
The following are answers to several FAQs regarding the Learjet 45 and 45XR.
What Is The Difference Between Lear 45 And Lear 45XR?
Compared to the older 45 variant, the 45XR with Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines offers higher take-off weights, a higher cruise speed, and faster time-to-climb. Its cockpit contains a Honeywell’s Primus 1000 avionics system.
Why Is The Learjet 45A Famous?
Cable Television Founder and aircraft owner Bill Daniels, Mark E. Calkins (pilot), Charles Conrad, Jr., Paul Thayer, and D. Miller completed an around-the-world flight in a record 49 hours, 21 minutes, and 8 seconds on February 12, 1996, in a Learjet 35A. The record remains standing as of 2015. This aircraft is now on display in Terminal C of the Denver International Airport.
Related VREF Resources
Bill Lear: The Learjet and the 8-Track Audio Player
Featured Pre-Owned Aircraft: Bombardier Learjet 45
Expected Aircraft Deliveries & Related Updates In 2024
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