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Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the nonprofit group looking to return the first production Learjet (23-003) to flight status, is continuing to mark progress on the restoration project in Wichita.
The group, which will be exhibiting at the upcoming Farnborough Airshow at the “Air Capital of the World” booth in Hall 4, acquired the airplane from a private owner in 2023. Since then, a team of volunteers—some of whom worked on the now-defunct Learjet production line, supported by companies that have donated their services to the cause—has been steadily dismantling the light jet, an iconic vanguard of the private jet era.
Upon receipt of the aircraft, its GE CJ610-1 engines were removed and, along with the engine maintenance records, sent to International Turbine Industries in Michigan for refurbishment. International Turbine will convert them to CJ610-4 standard as an in-kind donation.
Last month, the leading edges of the horizontal stabilizer were removed at the start of the tail unit’s structural inspection. Once that is accomplished, it will be transported to DAS Aviation for full overhaul.
The wing assembly from a later Lear 23 (23-028), which was acquired for parts, is now on a work stand undergoing a leak test before the removal of wing systems. The group has not yet determined whether this unit will be swapped for 003’s original wing. The aircraft’s existing 62-year-old wiring was removed early on in the process and deemed unsalvageable, so a new harness is being fashioned.
The twinjet’s landing gear was removed and driven down to Daytona, Florida, where it will be refurbished by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Accompanying it was a box of hydraulic actuators that will be tested and restored by Nobel Jet in Fort Lauderdale.
Earlier, fuselage skins were removed to expose areas of suspected airframe corrosion and allow for more detailed examination to determine if repair or replacement is required. The cabin will be restored to factory-new condition, as it was when delivered in 1964.
According to Bill Kinkaid, president of the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, no estimated time of completion is being shared at this time. "It will be finished as fast as donations and volunteer labor will allow," he told AIN. To help fund the restoration, it recently launched an online store offering expanded merchandise, mission collectibles, apparel, drinkware, and more, with all profits fueling the goal of returning 23-003 to the sky.
Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the non-profit group looking to return the first production Learjet (23-003) to flight status, is continuing to mark progress in the restoration project taking place in Wichita.
The group, which is exhibiting at the show at the "Air Capital of the World" booth in Hall 4, acquired the airplane from a private owner in 2023. Since then, a team of volunteers—some of whom worked on the now-defunct Learjet production line—supported by companies that have donated their services to the cause, has been steadily dismantling the light jet, an iconic vanguard of the private jet era.
Upon receipt of the aircraft, its GE CJ610-1 engines were removed and, along with the engine maintenance records, sent to International Turbine Industries in Michigan for refurbishment. International Turbine will convert them to CJ610-4 standard as an in-kind donation.
Last month, the leading edges of the horizontal stabilizer were removed at the start of the tail unit’s structural inspection. Once that is accomplished, it will be transported to DAS Aviation for full overhaul.
The wing assembly from a later Lear 23 (23-028), which was acquired for parts, is now on a work stand undergoing a leak test before the removal of wing systems. The group has not yet determined whether this unit will be swapped for 003's original wing. To replace the aircraft’s existing 62-year-old wiring that was deemed unsalvageable and was removed early on in the process, a new harness is being fashioned.
The twinjet’s landing gear was removed and driven down to Florida, where it will be refurbished by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona. Accompanying it was a box of hydraulic actuators, which will be tested and restored by Nobel Jet in Fort Lauderdale.
Earlier, fuselage skins were removed to expose areas of suspected airframe corrosion and allow for more detailed examination to determine if repair or replacement is required. The cabin will be restored to factory-new condition, as it was when it was delivered in 1964.
According to Bill Kinkaid, president of the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, no estimated time of completion is being shared at this time. "It will be finished as fast as donations and volunteer labor will allow," he told AIN. To help fund the restoration, it recently launched an online store offering expanded merchandise, mission collectibles, apparel, drinkware, and more, with all profits fueling the goal of returning 23-003 to the sky.