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

Verified

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:

A historically significant Learjet 23 (serial number 003), the third ever built and first delivered, was found neglected at a Florida airport after 12 years.
The Classic Lear Jet Foundation (CLJF), a volunteer group dedicated to preserving Learjet history, acquired the aircraft for $90,000.
The foundation plans a comprehensive restoration to return the aircraft to flying condition, a massive undertaking requiring extensive repairs, new systems, rebuilt engines, significant fundraising, and partnerships.
The Learjet 23 is celebrated as the world's first purpose-built business jet, which revolutionized private air travel and launched an entirely new category in aviation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.