A global circumnavigation flight in a Learjet 36A has been submitted to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for consideration as a world record. The "Century Mission" flight—intended to serve as a fundraiser to gather money for the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the nonprofit group restoring the first production Lear Jet—in April commemorated the 100th anniversary of the milestone 1924 World Flight, conducted by the U.S. Army Air Service flying modified U.S. Navy DT-2 torpedo bombers, that took 175 days and covered approximately 27,550 miles.
Owned by Florida-based ambulance operator Global Jet Care, the Learjet 36A took considerably less time to accomplish its mission, departing from Wichita westbound and returning in just 67 hours 28 minutes. The flight is awaiting record certification in the C-1f category (land planes with a takeoff weight of 6,000 to 9000 kilograms). Once NAA has conducted its review, which could take up to 60 days, it will then be passed to the supervising Fédération Aéronautique Internationale for final certification.
The entire cost of the flight was covered by Global Jet Care president Bart Gray and his company, so all monies raised through the sponsorship of each of the 12 legs of the mission will go directly toward the restoration of Learjet 23-003, the first Learjet delivered to a customer, currently taking place in Wichita.