Story Of Learjet - From Fighter To First Ever Business Jet. 

The first Lear equipped 'check-hauling' company I flew for had 23, 24 & 25 series Lears. That company was absorbed by a larger government contract company with mostly 35's. After 10++ years flying checks (and other things), I moved into part-135 'people-hauling' Lears, including 55, 60, 31 & 45 series. To say I Love these aircraft would be a massive understatement. Though it's hard to chose ... the 24D-XR is my favorite of all the models. ^v^

Always loved the Lear 23! But I am sorry to bust anyone's bubble here, the Lear 23 was not the first business jet! The following eight "Business Jets" flew before the Lear 23's first flight (Oct.7, 1963): 1. Morane-Saulnier MS760 Paris Jet (July 29, 1954). 2. Lockheed JetStar, model 329 - ( the TWIN-ENGINED VERSION )- (Sept.4, 1957). 3. North American Sabreliner - (Sept.16, 1958). 4. McDonnell 119/220 (the first 4-engined business jet) - (Feb.11, 1959). 5. Lockheed Jetstar, model 1329 - (the FOUR-ENGINED VERSION) -(Late 1959). 6. DeHavilland Hawker DH125 - (Aug.13, 1962). 7. Jet Commander - (Jan.27, 1963). 8. Dassault Falcon 20 - (May 4, 1963). Thus, by the aviation history facts that I have looked up, the Lear 23 was the NINTH model of business jet to first fly on Oct.7, 1963! Learjets are sadly out of production now, but their name and legacy will live on forever in aviation history!

It is sad how Learjet became the benchmark in aviation for personal jets. Now Learjet has gone out of business, markets are constantly changing. Learjets have been known for speed but not cabin size. The same goes for Mooney's. They were also known for speed, but not comfort, and that company has also gone out of business.

I actually met his daughter in Geneva Switzerland years ago remained a friend for a long time !!! Unfortunately there has been a few crashes with the early model due to lack of experience with high altitude performance such as the « coffin corner » margin between the high speed stall and low speed stall !

You guys blended a lot of stats from other Learjet models. But that's ok. Still a great video. Thanks for doing this. I flew the LR25D and LR35A.

Great quality content, appreciate your efforts.

The Lear 23 was fuel critical when the engines were first started. If you couldn't get to 41,000 feet right away, you would end up landing for fuel short of your desination.

Lockheed Jetstar was in service 2 years prior to Lear first flight

The first Hawker Siddeley DH 125 flight was 13 Aug 1962, the first Learjet flight was 7 October 1963.