Challenge Accepted: Restoring Learjet 23-003

‘Out of the blue,’ group takes on challenge of bringing pioneering aircraft back to life.

Monday, August 11, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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The all-volunteer Classic Lear Jet Foundation, comprised of former and current workers at Lear parent company Bombardier, had long talked about the idea of purchasing one to restore as a way to preserve the iconic brand's history. [Courtesy: Classic Lear Jet Foundation]

Key Takeaways:

The Classic Lear Jet Foundation (CLJF) acquired Learjet 23-003, the third Learjet built and first delivered, after it sat neglected for over a decade.
The CLJF, formed by current and former Lear/Bombardier employees, negotiated a purchase price of $90,000 to restore the historically significant aircraft.
The extensive restoration project aims to return the Learjet to flying condition, requiring significant component rebuilding (including engines) and system replacement, supported by partners and fundraising efforts.
The Learjet 23 revolutionized aviation by pioneering the business jet category, becoming a symbol of status, and profoundly impacting modern private travel and popular culture.

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There it sat on a lonely section of the ramp at Bartow Executive Airport (KBOW) in Florida, looking threadbare, forlorn, and forgotten. Its paint, sun-bleached to a dull, flat finish, was of an indeterminate hue, while a recent hurricane had blown parts off, including the rudder. Its engines, long unprotected, were certain to have housed generations of local avian species.

How many times have we watched similar scenes unfold at our local airports? Pilots and passersby alike can spot a neglected aircraft easily. Often parked just inside the airport fence, far from the FBO but close to the road, providing a clear view for drivers.