Aircraft
Former Learjet Officials React to End of Iconic Era
Learjet became the symbol for business aviation, former officials said.
Bill Lear established the Learjet factory in Wichita in 1962 after the city offered him its first-ever industrial revenue bonds for a 64-acre complex on the west side of Eisenhower National Airport.
Bill Lear established the Learjet factory in Wichita in 1962 after the city offered him its first-ever industrial revenue bonds for a 64-acre complex on the west side of Eisenhower National Airport.

When Jeff Miller came to Learjet in 1993 as director of public affairs, the Wichita airframer was once again on solid footing: it had recently been purchased by Bombardier, which was providing “a lot of resources” for product development. It was “a vibrant place” and, during Miller's three-year stint there, that product development led to the introduction of the Learjet 60 and Learjet 45.