The newest addition to an aviation dynasty that’s almost 60 years old – including the world’s first business jet – the Learjet 75 was supposed to be just another member of an aviation dynasty almost everyone’s heard of.
Yet whilst it has sold over 150 times since 2013 (alongside the shorter range Learjet 70), the Learjet 75 has also marked the end of an era, as Bombardier (Learjet’s parent company) ceased production of the jet in 2021.
In effect, this has ended the Learjet dynasty that started all those years ago with the Learjet 23…
Background
In the early 1970’s, Learjet engineers were developing a stretched variant of its popular Learjet 25 design with newer engines. Introduced to service in 1974, it was known as the Learjet 35, and quickly became Learjet’s bestselling design.
The Learjet 35’s success, however, did not go unnoticed. Very soon, Learjet’s competitors were designing jets that would attract potential customers away from the Learjet 35.
By 1989, these competitors had been designed, test flown and in service for quite some time – all at the Learjet 35’s expense.
Hoping to rectify this, Learjet began designing an all-new design it called the Learjet 45. Unveiled to the world in September 1992, the Learjet 45 had its first flight on October 7 1995 and entered service mid-1998.
Much like its predecessor, the Learjet 45 proved incredibly successful with private, corporate and military operators alike, selling 642 times during its 17 year-long production run (1995-2012).
Just as with its predecessor, however, it wasn’t long before Learjet’s competitors – namely Embraer and Cessna, via their Phenom 300 and CJ4 jets respectively – had begun to steal Learjet’s market share.
Development
Operational History
Corporate Jet
Private Jet
Fractional Ownership
Charter
Features
Price
Specifications
| Specifications | Learjet 75 |
|---|---|
| Length | 58Â ft (17.7Â m) |
| Wingspan | 50Â ft 11Â in (15.5Â m) |
| Height | 14Â ft 2 in (4.31Â m) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 9 |
| Cruise Speed | 861Â km/h (535 mph; 465Â kn) |
| Range | 3,780Â km (2,350Â mi; 2,040 nmi) |
| Service Ceiling | 51,000Â ft (16,000Â m) |
| MTOW | 21,500Â lb (9,752Â kg) |
How Safe is The Learjet 75?
It’s a well-known fact that flying is the safest way to travel. Yet, when people say that, they’re generally referring to commercial aircraft, like the A320 and 747, not private jets like the Learjet 75.
And whilst the safety records of private jets aren’t as widely reported as their commercial counterpart’s are, private jets are just as safe as commercial aircraft – in many cases, they’re even safer!
Perhaps the best example of this is the Learjet 75. As of the time of writing, the jet hasn’t had a single accident or incident of any kind, making it the very definition of “safe”.
Though I’ve just praised the Learjet for its safety record, I will be the first to admit that I may have prematurely jumped to a conclusion.
Whilst it hasn’t had a single accident or incident to date, it also hasn’t been in service long either.
What’s it Like to Fly on The Learjet 75?
What do you think about the Learjet 75? Have you ever flown on it? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Mike Burdett via Flickr.
I have over 5000 landings in the Learjet 45/75. Avionics/radios, are the primary difference. One is Primus 1000 and the other Garmin.
It is a very reliable jet with a long track record. It is very safe.
We received our first Learjet 45’s in 2002 and at one time had the highest time 45 in the world.
They modernized the avionics.around 2009. Same type rating differences training on programing navigation and approaches.
Nimble like a Ferrari and fast. It was a pleasure to fly for 15 years. At one time our department had 8 of them. We flew them 6-8 legs a day in all weather without incident. We were unique in that our landings were higher than hours flown. As you know takeoff and landing are the highest risk profiles of flight.
Your article is spot on…great, safe aircraft.