Learjet 23
| Learjet 23 | |
|---|---|
| |
| NASA Learjet 23 | |
| Role | Business jet |
| Manufacturer | Learjet |
| Designer | Dr.eng. Hans-Luzius Studer |
| First flight | October 7, 1963 |
| Primary users | Private Military NASA |
| Produced | 1962-1966 |
| Number built | 104 |
The Learjet 23 is an American six to eight seat (two crew and four to six passengers) twin-engined, high speed business jet. Manufactured by Learjet, the LJ23 was revolutionary in the aviation world.
History
The Model 23 has its roots in a proposed fighter aircraft for Switzerland known as the FFA P-16, designed by Hans-Luzius Studer. Although the fighter was not built, William (Bill) Powell Lear, Sr. recognized the design's potential and established Swiss American Aviation Corporation (SAAC) to produce the aircraft as the SAAC Lear Jet 23. The company was moved to Wichita, Kansas where production was started on the first Model 23 on February 7, 1962. The first flight of the Learjet 23 took place on October 7, 1963, and on October 13, 1964, the first production aircraft was delivered.
With this jet a completely new market for fast and efficient business aircraft was opened. The LJ23 is considered as a model for a whole set of similar aeroplanes which remain in production.
Production of the Learjet 23 stopped in 1966 after a total of 104 had been built. In 1998 there were still 39 LJ23s in use. A total of 27 LJ23s have been lost or damaged beyond repair through accidents during the aircraft's lengthy career, the most recent in 2008.[1]
Operators
Specifications
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two pilots
- Capacity: 6 passengers
Performance
See also
Related lists
References
- ^ Aviation Safety Network: Learjet 23
- ^ Talyor 1965, pp. 252–253.
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–1966. London:Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.