When it was introduced, the Learjet 45 was among the most successful private jets of its time. To this day, the Learjet 45 is Learjet’s second best selling private jet, behind the Learjet 35.
Although the aircraft is over 20 years old (which is quite old for a business jet) there are still well over 500 Learjet 45s in service all around the world. In total, there have been 642 Model 45s sold.
Development
Prior to the Learjet 45, Learjet had been in the business jet industry since the beginning, having produced the first business jet (in the form of the Learjet 23, in 1964).
All of Learjet’s previous aircraft had been derived from the Learjet 23. Usually these aircraft were a lengthened/shortened variant of it with newer, more fuel efficient engines.
In 1990, Bombardier Aerospace had purchased the newly renamed Learjet Corporation (formerly Gates Learjet) from Bill Lear. Bombardier had started things off by creating Learjet 60 (derived from the Learjet 55).
Once this had hit the market, the money generated from the Learjet 60 had financed the development of the Learjet Model 45. This aircraft would be first Learjet aircraft not derived from the Learjet 23.
This move, whilst costly in the short term, was a calculated one. The Learjet 23-based designs were getting too old. They weren’t selling as well, because it was still a 1960’s aircraft, fighting against 1990’s aircraft.
Due to being designed from scratch, the design process took longer than it had previously, with development having begun in 1989. The project was announced in September 1992 and first flew on October 7 1995.
Operational History
After the Learjet 45’s first flight, FAA certification was delayed for two years due to several unforeseen, but minor, issues. However, the aircraft was certified in 1997.
Here, it was unveiled properly to interested buyers, where many placed orders for the aircraft. Many of these aircraft would later be delivered from mid-1998 onwards.
Due to Learjet’s reputation for making cheap, yet reliable and fast business jets, the aircraft has sold well. In its 22 year long history, it has been used by militaries, corporations, celebrities, air ambulances and air charter companies.
Indeed, several multinational companies, including low-cost European airline Ryanair, use the Learjet 45 as their company jet. Another company that uses the aircraft is Sirio Antenne, Italy’s largest producer of antennaes.
Since its introduction in 1998, the aircraft has also become a favorite of governments as VIP transport. As of the time of writing, two governments use the aircraft as VIP transport- El Salvador and Montenegro.
Even today, with several newer and more fuel efficient aircraft on the primary market, the Learjet 45 is still in use with them. This includes some of the largest air charter companies in the world.
Delivery Issues
By 2003, roughly 400 Learjet 45s of different variants had been delivered worldwide. However, this had not stopped the aircraft from having several different issues, many of which coming from the factory.
Learjet had several customers return their aircraft only months after they’d received them. For the most part, these were for things like cracked windshields, which makes pressurization difficult, and also very dangerous.
On top of this, many of these aircraft had severe difficulties pressurizing in the first place. This caused several issues, with some passengers feeling mildly light headed, whilst others suffered from hypoxia or passed out.
Other issues such as wiring overheating, alarms that sounded for no reason whatsoever and fried power panels. This often caused operators to ground their aircraft for several months per year.
In August 2003, engineers discovered that the Model 45 had a defective fastener for the horizontal stabilizer. This resulted in the type being grounded for a month, whilst a solution was implemented.
Once these issues were addressed by Learjet in the early 2000’s, the aircraft became seen as quite reliable aircraft. Many operators view the aircraft as a “gas and go” aircraft.
Features
As with the aircraft’s predecessors, Learjet marketed the Model 45 with its long range in mind. When it was released, it was the longest range business jet in its class, and remains one of the longest range aircraft in its class to this day.
When Learjet were designing the aircraft, they designed the aircraft with winglets, opposed to the wingtip fuel tanks of previous Learjets. This made the aircraft more aerodynamic than previous Learjets.
Thanks to these winglets, the aircraft also had improved stability, something that business jet pilots had been demanding for several years prior to this.
For an aircraft of its size, the Learjet 45 has an incredibly large baggage hold. Next to the toilet, there is a large 15 cubic foot baggage area for carryon luggage, whilst there is an external, heated 50 cubic foot baggage area.
Learjet designed the Model 45 to have one of the lightest, yet strongest wings in the world. This was done through the use of early composites for the wings as well as an unusually high number of wing spars.
The aircraft also has a single pressure refueling point. This allows airports to fuel the aircraft in a quicker timeframe, which allows pilots to turn their aircraft around much faster, thus reducing overheads.
Price
Learjet stopped producing the Model 40 and Model 45 in 2012. In this year, Learjet charged $13.209 million for a basic aircraft (without any special modifications stated by the owner). Today, this is worth about $15 million.
At this time, the Model 45 was among the cheapest private jets you could buy brand new. If it was still in production today, it would still be one of the cheapest as well.
For the most part, the aircraft was well received, with it having sold 642 units in 17 years. By the mid-to-late 2000’s, several Model 40 and 45s were on the secondary market, with this continuing to this day.
As of the time of writing, there are several Model 40 and 45s on the secondary market. Depending on their age, variant and number of hours flown, you could expect to pay between $1.3 and $3 million.
In terms of other costs, the Model 45 is middling. When it was released, it was in the middle in terms of costs per hour, however, today it is leaning slightly towards the cheaper end of the middle.
All in all, it costs around $2,934.55 per hour to operate the Model 45, assuming you operated the aircraft for 450 hours per year. This accounts for maintenance, wages and fuel costs.
Variants
The initial Model 45 was incredibly successful. However, it only catered to a small percentage of business executives and celebrities, so Learjet created several variants of the Model 45 to appeal to more people!
Learjet 40
The first variant of the Model 45 was the Model 40, otherwise known as the Learjet 40 (having the internal company designation of LJ40). This aircraft was first offered in 2002, as an alternative to the Model 45.
Although the aircraft has comparable specs, still carrying eight passengers, and requiring two pilots, the Model 40 is two feet (61 cm) shorter than the Model 45. This allows the aircraft to be lighter and faster.
In order not to undercut the main Model 45, Learjet developed the Learjet 40 to use smaller, and therefore, weaker engines. These engines give the Learjet 40 faster speeds, but sacrifices range.
Learjet 40XR
Initially, the Learjet 40 was successful (although, this wouldn’t last very long). As such, Learjet decided to take advantage of this by developing an extended range variant of the Model 40, designated the Learjet 40XR.
For the most part, the aircraft retained much of the Model 40’s specs. The Model 40XR could still carry eight passengers, and required two pilots, and flew at roughly the same speed.
However, Learjet used the same engines that were used on the standard Model 45. This gives the Learjet 40XR an extended range, similar to that of the standard Model 45. This was introduced in October 2004.
Learjet 45
The Learjet 45, otherwise known as the Learjet Model 45 (internal company designation LJ45) is the standard variant of the aircraft. It was first introduced in 1998, and left production in 2012.
Of all the variants, the standard Model 45 was the most popular, with the Model 45XR being the second most popular. This was mostly due to it having the price of the Learjet 35, but the specs of a much more expensive aircraft.
Unlike many its predecessors, the standard Model 45 had then-brand new Honeywell TFE731-20Â turbofan engines. Learjet had developed the Learjet 31 which had used them, however, this aircraft wasn’t as well received.
Learjet 45XR
By June 2004, Learjet had sold hundreds of standard Model 45s. However, many people were being turned off from the standard Model 45 as it didn’t have a long enough range to fly longer distances.
As such, Learjet began working on what it called the Learjet Model 45XR. This was at the same time Learjet was designing the Learjet 40XR. Alongside the standard Model 45, the Model 45XR would become the best selling variant.
The main difference between the Model 45 and Model 45XR is to do with the engines. For the Model 45XR, Learjet purchased upgraded TFE731-20BR engines, which gave the XR and extended range.
Learjet 70
Although not strictly a “variant” of the Model 45, the Learjet 70 does owe its existence to the Learjet 45. In 2013, the Model 40XR and 45XR had become old, with newer Cessnas and Embraers taking the market away from Learjet.
As such, Learjet decided to take the Learjet 40XR and modernize it. This saw the Model 70, now known as the Learjet 70, have improved winglets, newer engines, and a complete cockpit overhaul, including more modern avionics.
The aircraft was popular initially, however, this popularity soon subsided. The aircraft was subsequently dropped from production in 2015, only two years after being introduced.
Learjet 75
Whilst Learjet was modifying the Model 40XR, they were also doing the same to the Model 45XR. As with the Model 40/70, the Model 75 was simply a modernized version of the Model 45.
Unlike many other business jets, the Learjet 75 (Model 75) is equipped with thrust reversers and an auxiliary power unit. Upon entering full scale production, the aircraft became Learjet’s flagship.
Initially, as with the Model 70, the Model 75 was incredibly successful. When Learjet removed the Learjet 70 from production in 2015, the Learjet 75 became the only aircraft manufactured by the company.
Military
As with many other private jets, several militaries use the aircraft for different purposes, usually as VIP transport and/or as medical evac aircraft. The same can also be said for the Model 45.
To date, three militaries and two government departments use a variant the Model 45. Two of the three militaries and both government departments use these as VIP transport and/or medical evac aircraft.
The remaining military, the Oman Air Force, uses a small fleet of Model 45s as multiengine trainer aircraft, similar to how the Learjet 35 is used in some other militaries.
Specifications
| Specifications | Learjet 45 |
|---|---|
| Length | 58 ft (17.68 m) |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 10 in (14.58 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 1 in (4.3 m) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 9 |
| Speed | 510 mph (804 km/h, 445 kn) |
| Range | 1,968 mi (3,167 km, 1,710 nmi) |
| Service Ceiling | 51,000 ft (15,000 m) |
| MTOW | 21,500 lb (9,752 kg) |
How Safe is The Learjet 45?
For the most part, when it comes to talking about which aircraft are the safest or most dangerous, private jets are left off. There are several reasons why this is, but it’s mostly due to volume and the fact that most people won’t ever fly on one.
However, for those who do get the opportunity to fly on a private jet, especially the Learjet 45, it’s incredibly important to know how safe or unsafe the aircraft is.
Since the aircraft’s introduction in 1998, the aircraft has only had four incidents, of which, there have only been two crashes. Both of these crashes were due to either pilot error or freak accidents.
The aircraft’s first crash was in June 2003. The aircraft was being operated by Eurojet Italia, and upon taking off from Linate Airport in Milan, the aircraft struck a flock of geese, causing the aircraft to lose all power and crash.
The most recent crash involving the aircraft was in November 2008. A Mexican government Learjet 45 flew too close to a 767, which caused the pilots to lose control and stall, crashing into a busy road, killing nine people in total.
Despite having had two crashes, this has been over the course of 22 years. This makes the aircraft one of the safest private jets to fly on, even despite its early safety issues.
What’s it Like to Fly on The Learjet 45?
Personally, I have flown on several Learjets, including the Model 45. Due to previously held jobs, I have been fortunate enough to fly on three different variants of the Model 45, including the Model 40, 45 and 45XR.
For one of my jobs, the company I worked for owned and chartered a series of Model 45s. In a given month, I may have flown on a Model 45 variant two or maybe even three times!
As a pilot myself, I always found that of all the private jets I have ever flown on, the Learjet 40 was the smoothest in flight. Perhaps this was down to the pilots, however, I never once flew with the same two pilots, and the flight was always smooth.
Despite the entire purpose of a private jet being to allow you to travel and work in comfort and without issue, I find that for some business jets, it’s still fairly difficult to get any work done on them.
However, on the Learjet 40/45, I always found that it was incredibly easy to get work done. I could sit with my laptop on the desk, with a secure WiFi connection and complete whatever work I needed to do.
When I wrote about the best private jets ever built, I debated adding the Learjet 45 to that article, although, ultimately decided to go with the Learjet 35.
What do you think of the Learjet 45? Tell me in the comments!
Photo courtesy of Andrew E. Cohen via Flickr.