Was the Lear Jet the First VLJ?

FLYING Staff

Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article primarily compares the Lear Jet 23 and the Eclipse 500, noting their similar origins from ambitious founders outside aviation who aimed to produce low-cost, high-volume small business jets.
Both Lear Jet and Eclipse experienced significant delays and substantial cost overruns, failing to meet initial targets for delivery dates, prices, and several performance areas.
While jet speed has seen little advancement over 40 years, critical improvements have been made in flying qualities, systems complexity, and safety records, making modern jets significantly safer and easier to handle.
Despite achieving iconic status, Lear Jet faced considerable financial struggles, and the article suggests Eclipse faces similar challenges in establishing a successful aircraft manufacturing business from scratch.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I received a letter from a reader after our story on the Cessna Mustang ran in the May issue asking me to compare the Mustang to the original Lear Jet 23, to measure 40 years of progress in light business jets. Interesting idea, and there is a valid comparison, but it’s not the Lear and and the Mustang. It’s between the Lear 23 and the Eclipse 500.

The reason the Mustang bears no relationship to the first Lear Jet is that the Mustang comes from the leader in business jets, not a start-up company. Cessna will soon deliver its 5,000th Citation, far more than any other business jet maker. The Mustang is an all-new design, but it is the product of the most experienced maker of light and medium-sized business jets in the world.