Learjet 23
Learjet · United States · first flew 1963 · light aircraft
The Learjet 23 was the first production business jet from Bill Lear's company, entering service in 1964 and establishing the template for the modern corporate jet. Fast, sleek, and capable, it brought jet performance to private aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Aft-fuselage podded engine pair |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First production Learjet business jet
- Distinctive tip tanks on swept wings
- Aft-fuselage podded engine pair
Sleek low-wing twin-jet with characteristic tip tanks, a narrow fuselage with small oval windows, and two rear-mounted engines. The tip tanks and highly swept wing are immediately distinctive.
Specifications
- The Learjet 23 has a length of 13.18 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.84 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 903 km/h (561 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bill Lear developed the Model 23 based partly on the Swiss FFA P-16 fighter project's wing design. It was certified in 1963 and immediately became popular for its exceptional speed and compact size. The Model 23 established Learjet as a major player in business aviation and spawned a long line of successors. Early models had a reputation for demanding handling characteristics.
Variants
The Model 23 was the baseline; it was followed by the improved Model 24, 25, and subsequent series with increased capacity and performance. The country of manufacture was the United States (Wichita, Kansas), though the company was briefly associated with Canada early in planning.
Where you'll see it
Operated worldwide by private owners, corporations, and charter operators from the mid-1960s onwards. Some were also used by government and military customers for liaison and transport.
Related aircraft
- Learjet 25
- Learjet 28
- Learjet Longhorn (Model 28/29/55)
- Learjet 55
- Aero Commander Lark Commander 180
- Beechcraft King Air
- Beechcraft Musketeer
- Fournier RF-4
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.