LearJet Mega factory

[Streetrod]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEIWVhAhrA8

Guys this is worth a watch, I never realised that the First Learjet was a adapted jet fighter

[Eric Mc]

It wasn't really. The wing used is based on the wing of a Swiss designed fighter/bomber (the FFA P-16) - which never entered production. Lear was impressed with he efficiency of the wing, and used a version of it in his business jet design.

Quite a few aircraft share wing designs.

[LRdriver II]

Having had the pleasure of flying the Lear 24, 25, 31 and 60, i can say they are close to my heart. I loved the way they handled and flew.. like a wild racehorse you had to tell'em whos boss or it will spit you off. The 60 was a more civilised beast but waaay overpowered and hence a crapload of fun to fly.

I now fly the challanger 604/605.. more comfort and less aggressive.

Thanks for posting the link

[Eric Mc]

And of course, the Challenger was also the brainchild of Bill Lear.

[Fonz]

Thanks for the link, now I want to fly one, not pay for one though...

[Wedg1e]

The Learjet fuselages are (or were, last time I was there) built by Bombardier-Shorts in Belfast, in the same factory where the Sunderland flying boats were built. The slipway down which the Sunderlands launched into Belfast Lough is still there.

I used to look after all of Shorts' x-ray and magnetic particle inspection systems.

[hidetheelephants]

Wedg1e said:

The slipway down which the Sunderlands launched into Belfast Lough is still there.

The slipway for the old Blackburn factory in Dumbarton still exists too; they also built Sunderlands, as Blackburn's aircraft designs did not find favour with the Air Ministry.

[S3_Graham]

LRdriver II said:

Having had the pleasure of flying the Lear 24, 25, 31 and 60, i can say they are close to my heart. I loved the way they handled and flew.. like a wild racehorse you had to tell'em whos boss or it will spit you off. The 60 was a more civilised beast but waaay overpowered and hence a crapload of fun to fly.

I now fly the challanger 604/605.. more comfort and less aggressive.

Thanks for posting the link

Where do you fly out of? My company operates 2 604's and a 605, amongst a myriad of others.

The 60 is a fun A/C but thank god it's going out of production, it's a PITA to work on and our xr is constantly tech.