AVweb's Friday Podcast: Bill Lear Jr. on the Lear 23 Bizjet and Its Successors

AVweb’s Friday Podcast: Bill Lear Jr. on the Lear 23 Bizjet and Its Successors

Editorial Staff

Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The Lear 23 is widely regarded as the first practical business jet, with a notable 45 out of 100 original aircraft still flying more than 43 years after its introduction.
Bill Lear Jr., who co-developed the Lear 23, questions the actual progress represented by new very light jets, contrasting them with the Lear 23's relatively fast, inexpensive, and trouble-free development.
Bill Lear Jr. discussed the history and future of small jets in an interview with AVweb's Russ Niles.

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Athough you’ll get some arguments in some quarters, it’s generally accepted that the Lear 23 was the first practical business jet. It’s been flying for more than 43 years, and, remarkably, of the 100 Lear 23s made, 45 are still flying. Bill Lear Jr. worked on the project with his father Bill Sr., and he wonders just how much progress the new crop of very light jets represents, in light of the relatively fast, relatively inexpensive, and relatively problem-free development of the 23. Bill Lear Jr. spoke with AVweb’s Russ Niles on the history – and the future – of small jets.

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