Learjet 55

Learjet 55
Learjet 55
	Learjet 55 on final approach
General information
Type	Business jet
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Learjet
Status	Active, not in production
Number built	147
History
Manufactured	1979–1987
Introduction date	1981
First flight	19 April 1979

The Learjet 55 "Longhorn" is an American business jet manufactured by Learjet.

Development and design

The Learjet 50 series was first announced at the 1977 Paris air show with larger cabins than the existing Learjets.^[1] The series was to have three variants, the Learjet 54, 55 and 56 but only the Learjet 55 was built.^[1] The Learjet 55 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with NASA developed winglets, the winglets gave rise to the nickname Longhorn. The aircraft has a T-tail and is powered by two Garrett TFE731 turbofans mounted each side of the rear fuselage.^[1] It has a retractable tricycle landing gear and an enclosed cabin for up to ten passengers and a cockpit for the two crew.^[1] Construction of the Learjet 55 began in April 1978 after extensive testing and work on the wing design which came, initially, from the Learjet 25. The Learjet 55 first flew on 19 April 1979. The first production aircraft were produced starting 18 March 1981. 147 Learjet 55 aircraft were delivered.

By 2018, a Learjet 55 can be had for $1 million or less.^[2]

Variants

Learjet 54: Proposed 11-seat variant, not built.^[3]
Learjet 55: Production variant, 126 built.^[3]
Learjet 55B: 1986 - Improved version with a glass cockpit, improved take-off performance and increased range, 8 built.^[3]
Learjet 55C: 1987 - New rear underfuselage design, with Delta Fins to improve lateral Dutch roll stability, and reduce takeoff and landing speeds.
Learjet 55C/ER: Extended-range version of the Learjet 55C.
Learjet 55C/LR: Long-range version of the Learjet 55C, fitted with an extra tank, carrying an extra 259 lb (117 kg) of fuel in the tail cone.
Learjet 56: Proposed eight-seat version, not built.^[3]

Operators

Dominican Republic

Servicios Aéreos Profesionales^[4]

Specifications

Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 10
Length: 55 ft 1 in (16.80 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft 10 in (13.35 m)
Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.48 m)
Wing area: 264.5 sq ft (24.57 m²)
Empty weight: 13,000 lb (5,897 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,500 lb (9,752 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Garrett TFE731-3A-2B turbofan aero-engine, 3,700 lbf (16 kN) thrust each

Performance

Maximum speed: 541 mph (871 km/h, 470 kn) at 30,000ft (9145m)
Cruise speed: 462 mph (744 km/h, 402 kn) at 49,000ft (14935m)
Range: 2,492 mi (4,010 km, 2,165 nmi) with four passengers and fuel reserves
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m)

References

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Orbis 1985, p. 1935
^ Mark Huber (December 2018). "For many models, market hitting the apex" (PDF). Aviation International News. pp. 20–21, 24.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Simpson 1991, pp. 187-188
^ "SAP Group - Aircrafts [sic]". Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2014-09-29.

Bibliography

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
Simpson, R.W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. England: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.

External links

[orbis-1] Orbis 1985, p. 1935

[AINdec2018-2] Mark Huber (December 2018). "For many models, market hitting the apex" (PDF). Aviation International News. pp. 20–21, 24.

[simpson-3] Simpson 1991, pp. 187-188

[4] "SAP Group - Aircrafts [sic]". Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2014-09-29.

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