Progress Continues on First Production Lear Jet Restoration | Aviation International News

Progress Continues on First Production Lear Restoration

Nonprofit group looks to return the Lear 23 back to airworthy status

Fuselage of Lear 23-003 under restoration — The fuselage of Lear 23-003, the first production Learjet, has largely been disassembled as the Classic Lear Jet Foundation works to fully restore it to flight status.

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

July 7, 2026

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.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Already a member? Sign In

Learjet 20 Series

Bombardier

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: How it Changed Airbus and Boeing

The fall-out from the terror attacks was to have short- and long-term consequences

Boeing Sonic Cruiser

Will Embraer Go Big by Developing a Large Narrowbody Jet?

Industry experts privately debate whether the Brazilian airframer can take the risk

Embraer E195-E2 aircraft

Baggage Floor Removal Vexing for Lear Jet Restoration

The group looks to return Lear 23-003 to flight

the baggage floor in Lear 23-003

Joby eVTOL Begins Week of Flights across North Texas

Project Nexus makes first flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program

Joby’s eVTOL air taxi prototype sits on the ramp at Perot Field

Bombardier Global 8000 Earns UK London City Approval

Approval eases access to central London

Bombardier Global 8000

Netherlands Opts for Its Inaugural AEW&C Aircraft

Bilateral capability with Sweden marks nation’s first AEW&C acquisition

GlobalEye

FAA Grants Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer

Bye Aerospace’s prototype is ready for flight testing

Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace CEO

France Receives Its First Falcon Albatros Patrol Jets

Dassault based the maritime patrol aircraft on the Falcon 2000LXS

A Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000LXS Albatros maritime surveillance aircraft flies over a coastal area.