National Geographic Megafactories - LearJet

[ScudRunner]

Good look into the facility in KICT, I have done the tour a few times and on the last got to check out the new Lear 85 mock up pretty cool stuff.

Its a 45min video so kill some time on the road.

http://youtu.be/ZEIWVhAhrA8

[bizjets101]

Great video . . .


But gotta love the old ones!!! photo Bob Garrard

Bill sold Lear Corp for a profit of 35 million which he invested in projects like the Learfan and lost his money. However the one deal paid off, he sold the plans for the Learstar 600 to the Canadian Government (Canadiar) which included a nice little clause that Bombardier inherited - $50 Grand payable to Bill and Moya Lear for every aircraft produced, plus and derivative aircraft.

After Bill's death, Moya negotiated a $73 million dollar payout from Bombardier to get out of the $50 grand per aircraft payment.

[ScudRunner]

Good stuff didn't know that. in the video you might notice a lear on a stick out front of the plant, it is in fact the first Lear 35 with a prototype 55 Long Horn wing stuck on it.

[bizjets101]

Google Earth, hmmm now I have a Lear mystery, I'll have to look into this!! Thanks


Getting closer!!

[bizjets101]

Okay, Learjet on display, is Learjet N731GA 35-001 which first flew on Aug 22 1973 and was used as the prototype for the Leajet 31as N351GL - using the Longhorn Wing from the Learjet 28/29/55.

Lear 28/29 first flew Aug 24 1977, the Lear 31 May 11 1987, the Lear 55 April 19 1979.

[ScudRunner]

My company use to operate Lear 35-002 rumor has it will be hoisted up as a gate guard in front of our new facility being constructed in YYC, here is hoping as I think the Lear 35 is one bad ass looking jet!

[learcapt]

My company still operates Lear 35-004!

[bizjets101]

35-004 If that Lear could talk, it would have many, many stories!!!

It was purchased new and delivered to T. Boone Pickens November 1974. The White knight of the Oil Industries, N74MP was based in Houston.

Late 1978 it was put up for sale, at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska - it was purchased by Pat Hughes with petty cash!!, the registration C-GIRE was arranged by Wayne Junipter who was the co-pilot and mechanic - Mr. Hughes was a citizen of Ireland, but CEO of Northgate Exploration Toronto and the Lear was based at Skycharter YYZ.

On arrival on it's first flight to YYZ from Shannon - the crew quit at customs - leaving the Lear, the owner, and one hooker without ID (from Ireland) at the customs shack. It was late March, and the Lear was parked outside on the Skycharter ramp with the emergency hatch and door open for 3 days to air it out!!!

Not to mention the fracus caused when customs officers tried to take the owners passenger into custody, a lady of the evening - he just picked up in Shannon - she didn't even have any ID on her!!

Mr. Hughes used to take GIRE to JFK and catch the Concorde - on arriving back at Skycharter on the return trip, Mr. Hughes barked to the pilots to go get his golf clubs. Both pilots checked the Lear - not seeing any golf clubs, they came back telling Mr. Hughes they don't see the clubs. He freaked out like a crazy person, saying he left them at the terminal at JFK and for them to get in the Fxxxing Lear and get them!!! Fun Times . . .

Your Lear is currently owned by a USA Conglomorate Health Care provider and operated by Skyservice

Unfortunately 35-002 was parted out in June 2009 by Alliance Air Parts, Oklahoma City.