Aviation

See photos of the first Learjet sold in Wichita, Kansas, nearly 60 years ago

Eagle staff
The 1964 Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003, in flight. “It was the first plane that was specifically built as a business jet,” said Dick Kovich, the unofficial Learjet historian.
The 1964 Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003, in flight. “It was the first plane that was specifically built as a business jet,” said Dick Kovich, the unofficial Learjet historian. Courtesy photo

The Learjet 23 went into production in 1962 and took its first flight Oct. 7, 1963.

“It was the first plane that was specifically built as a business jet,” said Dick Kovich, a former Learjet employee who went on to work for the brand after it was purchased by other companies, including, finally, Bombardier in 1990.

The Classic Lear Jet Foundation, which formed in August 2022, hit a major milestone this summer with the acquisition of the first Learjet plane sold, which is now in Wichita. The foundation is celebrating the 60th anniversary on Oct. 7 with assistance from Bombardier.

This photo captures the first flight of the original Learjet, which was a test plane. Due to pilot error, it crashed in June 1964. The pilots walked away but the plane had to be scrapped.
This photo captures the first flight of the original Learjet, which was a test plane. Due to pilot error, it crashed in June 1964. The pilots walked away but the plane had to be scrapped. Courtesy photo
Learjet founder Bill Lear in front of seven of his Learjets in early 1965.
Learjet founder Bill Lear in front of seven of his Learjets in early 1965. Courtesy photo
Johnny Carson sits at Learjet founder Bill Lear’s desk in 1965. Al Higdon, who went to work for the company a month after its first plane was certified and stayed until 1971 when he left to start what became the Sullivan Higdon & Sink ad agency, is sitting on the credenza to his side.
Johnny Carson sits at Learjet founder Bill Lear’s desk in 1965. Al Higdon, who went to work for the company a month after its first plane was certified and stayed until 1971 when he left to start what became the Sullivan Higdon & Sink ad agency, is sitting on the credenza to his side. Courtesy photo
Brenda Lear, a British expatriate who was married to the late Bill Lear Jr., said her late mother-in-law, Moya Lear, kissed the nose of the first Learjet as it came off the factory line. When she went to bid farewell to the first one ever sold before it was trucked back to Wichita to be restored, she said, “I kissed it goodbye on its way to hospital.”
Brenda Lear, a British expatriate who was married to the late Bill Lear Jr., said her late mother-in-law, Moya Lear, kissed the nose of the first Learjet as it came off the factory line. When she went to bid farewell to the first one ever sold before it was trucked back to Wichita to be restored, she said, “I kissed it goodbye on its way to hospital.” Courtesy photo
Even though the first Learjet ever sold had sat unlocked and in the elements for many years, it was in relatively good shape with a complete cockpit and an 8-track player, which was something else Learjet founder Bill Lear helped invent.
Even though the first Learjet ever sold had sat unlocked and in the elements for many years, it was in relatively good shape with a complete cockpit and an 8-track player, which was something else Learjet founder Bill Lear helped invent. Courtesy photo
The 1964 Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003, on Oct. 13, 1964, before it was delivered to the first Learjet customer, Chemical and Industrial Corp. of Cincinnati.
The 1964 Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003, on Oct. 13, 1964, before it was delivered to the first Learjet customer, Chemical and Industrial Corp. of Cincinnati. Courtesy photo
Brenda Lear, a British expatriate who was married to the late Bill Lear Jr., said her late mother-in-law, Moya Lear, kissed the nose of the first Learjet as it came off the factory line, so she kissed the first Learjet ever sold — known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003 — before it was trucked back to Wichita for restoration. She also wrote, “God bless you 003,” on the side of the plane.
Brenda Lear, a British expatriate who was married to the late Bill Lear Jr., said her late mother-in-law, Moya Lear, kissed the nose of the first Learjet as it came off the factory line, so she kissed the first Learjet ever sold — known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003 — before it was trucked back to Wichita for restoration. She also wrote, “God bless you 003,” on the side of the plane. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle
Bill Kinkaid, left, Chris Marshall, center, and Rick Rowe, helped form the Classic Lear Jet Foundation to acquire and restore the plane behind them, the first Learjet sold in 1964. The foundation has now purchased the plane for $90,000.
Bill Kinkaid, left, Chris Marshall, center, and Rick Rowe, helped form the Classic Lear Jet Foundation to acquire and restore the plane behind them, the first Learjet sold in 1964. The foundation has now purchased the plane for $90,000. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle
A number of former Learjet employees and aficionados have kept tabs on the first Learjet ever sold to a customer: 1964’s Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003. Through the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, this team has now completed its purchase of the plane and plans to restore it and make it airworthy again for educational and historic purposes.
A number of former Learjet employees and aficionados have kept tabs on the first Learjet ever sold to a customer: 1964’s Lear Jet 23, registered N200Y with the FAA and also known by its manufacturer’s serial number, 23-003. Through the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, this team has now completed its purchase of the plane and plans to restore it and make it airworthy again for educational and historic purposes. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle
Bombardier’s Learjet plant in Wichita.
Bombardier’s Learjet plant in Wichita. File photo The Wichita Eagle
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