Work Proceeds on First Production Learjet Restoration

Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the nonprofit group working to return the first production Lear Jet to flight status, is appearing this week at NBAA-BACE at the booth of corporate sponsor Spectro Jet-Care. Notably, they are bringing along a special guest today—legendary Learjet pilot Clay Lacy will be at the booth from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet.

In addition to Lacy’s impressive airline resume and other record-setting aviation achievements, he has vast experience with the early Learjets. In 1964, he flew one of the first Learjet 23s into California’s Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), making it the first corporate jet based there.

Four years later, he founded Clay Lacy Aviation as the first jet charter and executive jet management company on the West Coast. Lacy flew countless Hollywood luminaries in Learjets at the dawn of the private jet era and, in 1965, made a record-breaking daylight flight to New York and back in the same day. At the FBO that bears his name at KVNY, that same Learjet 23—the 12th to roll off the assembly line—has been preserved and is on display.

Given his direct history with the type, Lacy was instrumental in the foundation’s purchase of Learjet 23-003. He personally provided funding as a primary acquisition sponsor that allowed the foundation to become the sole owner of the aircraft in 2023 and begin the restoration process.

The work is being conducted in Wichita in space donated by Bombardier at the former Learjet delivery facility by a group of volunteers, including retired Learjet employees who worked on the assembly line. It’s estimated that the foundation has reached 1,500 total manhours worked since the project began. 

A number of business aviation companies—including Spectro Jet-Care, which provides expertise in fluid and debris analysis as well as engine trend monitoring—have pledged their support for the project by offering free or reduced-cost services.

Work has been progressing on the light twinjet, which recently had its paint stripped off in preparation for non-destructive inspection, tests that will be crucial in determining the scope of the project. Any issues such as corrosion on the skins and stringers will be repaired. The group is currently preparing to do a pressure check of the right-hand wing infrastructure in search of leaks. Those results, weighted with the corrosion found on the left wing, will help determine whether the wing unit is salvageable or if it must be replaced.