Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the nonprofit group that is attempting to restore the first delivered Lear Jet 23 (S/N 23-003) to flight status in Wichita, has signed a long-term agreement with Bombardier that will provide shelter for the project.
23-003 was moved to Building 14, the former Learjet delivery hangar, in May 2023, and since then the organization has held several events and viewings of the aircraft there. The bulk of the light twinjet’s restoration is being done in a bay in Building 14, with the group’s latest progress update noting that the removal of the cockpit circuit breaker panels revealed a spaghetti bowl of unidentified wires, each of which will have to be marked before removal.
This signals the start of the removal of the cabin wiring and the remaining cockpit wiring as the fuselage is prepared for the dirty job of removing all of the spray foam insulation so a thorough structural evaluation can be conducted. Additionally, the exterior paint will be stripped. That work will require the movement of the fuselage to a different bay.
The foundation said the certainty of the agreement will greatly accelerate the pace of the project and thanked the city of Wichita for its cooperation in supporting the approval of the hosting agreement.