Air & Space Museum

Lear Jet 24

Lear Jet 24

Bill Lear was an amazing inventor and engineer! Besides the Lear Jet, he also invented the first practical car radio, co-founded Motorola, developed a variety of aircraft radios and navigation equipment, and invented the 8-Track stereo cartridge system.

There were already a couple of business jets on the market when Lear decided to build one. He adapted some components from the design for a Swiss ground attack jet to create a relatively inexpensive business jet. The first Lear Jet (Model 23) was introduced in 1963. Lear Jet introduced this one (Model 24) in 1966. Although having a Lear Jet became THE status symbol for wealth and luxury, they are much more than toys for the rich and famous. For example, Many Lear Jets (including this one) were often used to transport patients with special medical needs for treatment in other cities, or to rush organs for transplant to recipients hundreds of miles away.

In 1967, on the advice of Denver’s Harry Combs, Charlie Gates bought the Lear Jet company, and soon Lear Jet became Gates LearJet. Harry Combs became president, and guided Gates LearJet for 12 years, overseeing the creation of larger, more capable LearJet models.

Our Lear Jet 24 was donated by Lynn Krogh of International Jet in 2006.

Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: 35 ft 7 in (10.9 m)
Length: 43 ft 3 in (13.2 m)
Maximum speed: 545 mph (877 km/h)
Range: 1,700 miles (2,736 km)
Ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Carries two pilots and 4-6 passengers

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Oct 7
9:30AM TO 12:30PM
Exploration of Flight

Breakfast Fly-In

Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday, Oct 7 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight for monthly fly-ins featuring planes, pilots and breakfast!

On the first Saturday of every month, enjoy breakfast from a local food truck, watch aircraft fly in and explore interactive exhibits and simulators.

Purchase Tickets

Food Truck: Cruz In & Eat
Please note: Food purchases are not included in admission.

Pilots – Fly in for free breakfast! For tie-down space, contact Flight@WingsMuseum.org or 303.360.5360 ext 160.

Saturday Oct 14
9:00AM TO 2:00PM
Exploration of Flight

Round Engine Roundup with an Eclipse Encounter

Round Engine Roundup with an Eclipse Encounter
Saturday, Oct 14 | 9:00AM to 2:00PM

Join us at Exploration of Flight for a roundup of round engine aircraft, featuring the Sea Fury. Plus, view the 2023 Annular Eclipse from Centennial Airport! Build your own telescope and create a moon phase calendar at our learning stations, followed by an educational talk about the eclipse from Wings Over the Rockies Curator Chuck Stout.

Arrive early for prime eclipse viewing, as the eclipse is expected to be visible in the area around 10:30 a.m. The first 100 people will receive free eclipse glasses to safely view the eclipse. Additional glasses will be for sale.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

Food Truck: Colorado Coney Company

Saturday Oct 14
10:00AM TO 11:00AM

Teachers Only | Professional Development: Nose Art

Teachers Only | Professional Development: Nose Art
Saturday, Oct 14 | 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Teacher Workshop: Nose Art

Teachers are invited to join us for this online workshop and learn a unique aerospace lesson to bring to your classroom!

As aviation developed, especially as the result of World War I, many pilots chose to decorate their aircraft with designs intended to intimidate their opponents, or to remind the pilots of easier times at home. During this unique program, participants will have a chance to review some of that remarkable history and develop their own insignia and learn how to generate the image on a square of aircraft aluminum.

Register below and you will receive a confirmation email with the online meeting link.

Register Here

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