Wichita Fundraiser To Benefit First-delivered Lear Jet's Restoration

Event To Benefit First-delivered Lear Jet Restoration

The event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first Lear Jet Flight

Lear 23-003, the first Lear Jet ever delivered, will be a centerpiece in Wichita this weekend as the non-profit Classic Lear Jet Foundation holds an open house/dinner fundraiser to help pay for its complete restoration. Two other milestone Lears will be on display in the former Lear Jet delivery center on the Bombardier campus along with a collection of company memorabilia. The ticketed cocktail party/dinner will feature speakers who were closely related to the airframer, its history, and its aircraft. (Photo: Classic Lear Jet Foundation)

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By Curt Epstein • Senior Editor

October 4, 2023

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Lear Jet 23, the Classic Lear Jet Foundation—which is working to restore the first delivered example of the type (23-003)—is holding an open house and fundraiser this Saturday in Wichita at Building 14 at Bombardier’s complex.

The building served as the Lear Jet delivery center until production ended in 2021 and Bombardier has donated space to house the foundation’s recently acquired 003 during its restoration to flight status. It will be there, bookended by the last Lear Jet to be delivered and a Learjet 55 once owned by the late comedian Johnny Carson.

As part of the Lear Jet memorabilia on display, visitors can view the Collier Trophy received by Lear Jet founder Bill Lear for his development of the autopilot system on the F-86 fighter. In addition, Clay Lacy—aviation legend, Lear pilot, and founder and former CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation—will be in attendance.

The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a silent auction. There will also be a ticketed cocktail reception and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. featuring guest speakers Al Higdon, Lear Jet’s former manager of information services and public relations; Brian Barents, CEO of the airframer from 1989 to 1996; and Chuck Cox, chairman of Lear Jet operator Northern Jet.