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
