Bombardier To House Classic Lear Jet 23-03; Engine Work Begins

The Classic Lear Jet Foundation, founded to obtain and restore Lear Jet 23-03—the first Learjet to enter service—has reached an agreement with Bombardier to store the aircraft at its Wichita facility, where it was built. 

At the same time, work to overhaul the aircraft’s classic General Electric CJ610-1 turbojet engines, has begun.

The historical aircraft was the third to roll off the production line and the first to be delivered to a customer. The aircraft was placed into service on Oct. 13, 1964.

The aircraft’s fuselage is being housed in Building 14, a former Learjet delivery center at the site, while the wing will be moved into the facility soon. Over the years, the aircraft has sustained extensive amounts of corrosion and the fuel system has taken on moisture. 

As the project progresses, Bombardier and the foundation will continue to discuss the Lear Jet 23’s future. 

Before work on the fuselage can begin, the Classic Lear Jet Foundation must complete its acquisition of the aircraft, says Rick Rowe, with the foundation. Its Florida-based owner allowed the non-profit group to take possession ahead of its formal purchase. It arrived in Wichita in February. The owner also accepted a progress payment and released the aircraft’s engine logbooks. 

International Turbine Industries, based in Michigan, has begun restoration work on the two engines. ITI, owned by Mark and Rhonda Andrews, is an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul facility located at Willow Run Airport, near Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 

In the meantime, Classic Lear Jet Foundation—founded by current, retired and former employees—will use the Bombardier facility to give presentations and tours of the aircraft as it works to secure donations. 

Most recently, 24 members of the FAA’s Flight Test Harmonization Working Group, a group of test pilots, flight test engineers and others, visited the foundation in Wichita to hear about plans for the aircraft, Rowe says.

The goal is to restore the aircraft to flying condition for use as a living history of the company, its aircraft and its employees. 

The group must raise about $60,000 to acquire the aircraft before restoration work can begin. It is yet to be decided where work will be performed.