Classic Lear Jet Moves In For Its Makeover

The Classic Lear Jet Foundation (CLJF) announced today (Oct. 22) it has relocated Lear Jet 23 serial number 003 from a display area at the Learjet delivery center in Wichita, Kansas, to a work bay next door. It’s where the main work on its planned restoration will take place, according to the Foundation.

The CLJF is made up of current, retired and former Lear Jet employees “who have admiration and affection for the airplane, the man [William Lear], the company and its employees, the business jet industry, and the city where it all started," according to its website. That city is Wichita, and the Lear Jet story started there in 1962. Lear Jet s/n 003 is the first to enter service (in 1964) and the CLJF was formed to acquire the airframe and bring it back to Wichita to be restored to flying condition.

The original name of the company was two words—Lear Jet. Over time and numerous corporate buyouts and mergers, it morphed into Learjet. According to the CLJF website, “Now that the financial acquisition of the Lear Jet Model 23-003 is complete, we are ready to embark on the full restoration to flight processes and phases. Restoring this Lear Jet is an expensive undertaking but is critical to preserve Lear Jet history in Wichita and around the globe.” The Foundation is seeking donations to bring that process to completion.