Aircraft
Restoration Commences on First Production Lear Jet
Volunteer-led project could take up to five years
Volunteers in Wichita removing components from 23-003
Restoration on the first production Lear Jet 23-003 has begun, a year after the aircraft returned to its birthplace in Wichita. According to the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, the volunteer-led project to make the light jet airworthy again could take up to five years if everything goes according to plan.

Classic Lear Jet Foundation—the nonprofit group that aims to bring the first production Lear Jet back to flight status—announced that it has begun the restoration process on its Lear 23. The Wichita-based organization acquired serial number 23-003 in August after a pair of industry veterans stepped up to donate the budget shortfall for its purchase from a private owner.

Bombardier donated space to house the restoration work at Building 14, the former Learjet delivery facility on its Wichita campus, and the aircraft has been there for a year now after being transported by a flatbed truck from Florida.