In the early 1960s, the Lockheed JetStar and North American Sabreliner, both based on military designs, became the first American attempts to incorporate the turbojet engine into a business aircraft. Their goal was a faster and more reliable business aircraft that offered prestige and comfort to the business traveler.
The first universally known "bizjet" was the Learjet, introduced by William P. Lear in 1963. It was based on a Swiss P-16 fighter design and powered by two General Electric CJ 610-1 turbojet engines. The Learjet carried a crew of two and up to seven passengers. It could fly 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) and cruise at 780 kilometers (485 miles) per hour. It cost $550,000. |
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| LEARJET MODEL 23The Museum's Learjet (shown here), on loan to the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, was the second Learjet built and the first production model. Gates Learjet took over production in April 1967. Several speed records were set in subsequent model Learjets, including separate records by golfer Arnold Palmer and astronaut Neil Armstrong. Production continues today with Learjets as a mid-size aircraft for the Bombardier business jet line.
Courtesy of Warren Green |
GRUMMAN GULFSTREAM IIIn 1967 the Grumman Corporation made a dramatic move from its turboprop, the Model 159 or Gulfstream I, to the long-range Grumman Gulfstream II business jet. Transcontinental and transoceanic flights up to 6,200 kilometers (3,880 miles) became possible with the Gulfstream II's two Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 511-8 turbofan engines. Even at a price of $2 million, the aircraft was an instant success. Models III and IV, built by Gulfstream Aerospace, extended the range, while providing greater comfort and performance.
Courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation | 
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