10 Jun 2025, 10:54 [ UTC - 5; DST ]
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Post subject: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 11:47 |
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Joined: 08/08/12 Posts: 1445 Post Likes: +938
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Quote: The Learjet 60 is said to have been designed for a niche market – private jets that climb quickly to high cruise levels, have fast cruise speeds, operate economically, and are reliable. It would seem that those features would attract more than a niche worth of buyers, but the important point is that the Learjet 60 more than lives up to these expectations. The cabin of the Learjet 60 is the biggest yet in the Learjet line. Able to hold seven or eight passengers, the cabin is designed to have the most space where it counts – specifically, elbow room for seated passengers. Amenities like fold-out work tables and radio phone come standard, and a fax machine, microwave, and coffee maker can be added as desired.
The strongest feature of the Learjet 60 is its cruise performance. It can climb to its cruise level of 43,000 feet in less than fourteen minutes when loaded to its maximum takeoff weight of 23,500 pounds. Once at cruise level, it can reach speeds of up to 457 knots (about .76 Mach). It has a transcontinental range of 2,590 miles (2250 nautical miles) when carrying six or seven passengers. With an average fuel consumption of 203 gallons per hour, the 60 is surprisingly comparable to smaller light weight private jets.
A large contributing factor to Lear 60’s speed is its aerodynamic design. For the first time in a Learjet, the NASA/Boeing Tranair computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was used; the software locates points on the jet that cause excessive drag, resulting in a 4% reduction in overall drag.
Pratt & Whitney Canada supplied the engines for the Learjet 60: two PW305A turbofans. They are flat-rated to 4,600 pounds of thrust each to reduce takeoff noise, but have the capacity to provide 5,225 pounds of thrust. The choice to reduce noise levels resulted in a 70.8 EPNdB output on takeoff and an 87.7 EPNdB noise level on landing. All of the engine’s functions are controlled electronically by a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system. It automatically regulates engine performance in flight to reduce pilot workload.
As can be expected in a Learjet, the Learjet 60 handles exceptionally well. It has very heavy wing loading, resulting in very smooth flights, even when flying through turbulent areas. The new speed-proportionate nosewheel steering system makes the jet easier to handle on the ground, and stronger wheel brakes assist in landings and ground control.
The Learjet 60 uses the Integrated Pro Line 4 avionics system. It is controlled centrally by an IAPS (Integrated Avionics Processing System), which links to all of the other flight systems and controls. The displays are consolidated into four large-format electronic displays for a sleek, modern control panel layout. The IAPS contains a flight guidance system and FMS for short-range navigation. An Automatic AlliedSignal digital cabin pressurization system regulates cabin pressure throughout the flight without any need for pilot input – one only needs to input the elevation of the destination, and the system controls the rest.
If the Learjet 60’s climb and cruise performance aren’t enough, consider its operating cost. Overall costs rival even the best-selling jets of its size. And when compared to average jets in its class, the Learjet 60 consistently comes out on top in cruise speed and range. In short, it’s hard to find a longer-range, faster private jet anywhere. This is another airplane that always seems to come back onto my radar. A good one can be had for less than $2M. Awesome performance, range and comfort. But, the downsides for me are the PL4 avionics and the calendar inspection intervals. By all accounts that I can find, it looks like it can be operated for about the same cost as a Beechjet. Discuss.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 13:58 |
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Joined: 03/23/08 Posts: 7357 Post Likes: +4088 Company: AssuredPartners Aerospace Phx. Location: KDVT, 46U
Aircraft: IAR823, LrJet, 240Z
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Username Protected wrote: Quote: ..a niche market (?) – private jets that climb quickly to high cruise levels, have fast cruise speeds, operate economically, and are reliable. Cause who would want all those things?
_________________ Tom Johnson-Az/Wy AssuredPartners Aerospace Insurance Tj.Johnson@AssuredPartners.com C: 602-628-2701
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 15:22 |
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Joined: 08/08/12 Posts: 1445 Post Likes: +938
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Username Protected wrote: I'm curious what "operate economically" means exactly. Relative to it's class of airplane type.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 15:53 |
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Joined: 12/03/14 Posts: 20308 Post Likes: +25445 Company: Ciholas, Inc Location: KEHR
Aircraft: C560V
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Username Protected wrote: I'm curious what "operate economically" means exactly. It means you can't afford it, but only by a little bit instead of a lot. Mike C.
_________________ Email mikec (at) ciholas.com
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 15:53 |
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Joined: 01/29/08 Posts: 26338 Post Likes: +13080 Location: Walterboro, SC. KRBW
Aircraft: PC12NG
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Username Protected wrote: I'm curious what "operate economically" means exactly. Relative to it's class of airplane type. It's the same old story. A cheap airplane to buy will not be cheap to fly. There's a reason these things are so cheap to buy.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 16:26 |
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Joined: 04/16/10 Posts: 2025 Post Likes: +902 Location: Wisconsin
Aircraft: CJ4, AmphibBeaver
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the dig on the 60 is generally balanced field length. Contrary to the OP, the brakes on the 60 are it's shortfall. They are good brakes in general, but it's the same wheel and brakes used on the 30 series, which is stopping 5k lbs less. On hot and heavy days, you will become runway limited. We operated on for 3 years. Probably my favorite jet (of those I'm typed in and flew). Climb performance is the wow factor. Yes, it will go to the mid 40's in under 15 minutes if ATC cooperates.
The 12yr is the inspection to prepare for. The rest are pretty routine as bizjets go. The APU is nice feature for the crew, but it can be a costly item to keep happy, so selective use is advised.
The avionics are pretty good, either the pro-line 4 or 21. Good stuff, but if you're accustomed to Garmin features, the Collins stuff will seem clunky and WAAS upgrades if not already done can be pricey on the FMS's by both collins and universal.
The cabin design is roomy, and lav is functional space, with most having a modest galley up front. My dig on the cabin is low altitude noise. High indicated airspeed in the 60 produces quite a bit of noise in the cabin. The airflow over the cockpit and past the main entry door makes for excessive noise when down low. When you reach cruise altitude, the IAS drops enough that it's very comfortable.
We always convinced ourselves that the DOC's (not including salaries, hangar, finance costs) were in the $2500-3000/hr category when considering fuel, maint, subscriptions, landing fee's, onboard snacks, detailing, etc.
I wish Bombardier would have brought the 85 to market. It would have been interesting to see what modern technology would have done in the midsize space.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 17:21 |
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Joined: 11/08/12 Posts: 12805 Post Likes: +5255 Location: Jackson, MS (KHKS)
Aircraft: 1961 Cessna 172
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Username Protected wrote: It seems the 12 year is the one that will cause the most pain at ~$160K. A cycled out APU turbine wheel can cost $100K.  If the APU is never used in flight/taxi, what authority does the FAA have to regulate its maintenance?
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 17:23 |
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Joined: 11/08/12 Posts: 12805 Post Likes: +5255 Location: Jackson, MS (KHKS)
Aircraft: 1961 Cessna 172
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Username Protected wrote: Discuss.
Is 135/dry lease/etc an option?
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 17:24 |
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Joined: 05/03/12 Posts: 2281 Post Likes: +707 Location: Wichita, KS
Aircraft: Mooney 201
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Username Protected wrote: I wish Bombardier would have brought the 85 to market. It would have been interesting to see what modern technology would have done in the midsize space. I worked on that program as a structures engineer, so I wasn't privy to performance analysis and especially the flight test results first-hand. But, we did get our share of hear-say and rumors. Suffice it to say the program was cancelled for a reason, and frankly, I am surprised it ran for as long as it did. There were a lot of warts with the plane, and Bombardier seemed to make one major bad decision after another ever since the program started. Decent idea, terrible execution. There were quite a few shortfalls in flight test from what I understood, and it seemed to start circling the drain when it ended up overweight and slower, which leads to less range and performance, less payload, etc. etc. etc. Suddenly it doesn't really stand out in the market. Quite a shame as there isn't much future for the Learjet brand going forward IMO. The 70/75 was mostly a whitewash and I doubt they'll continue on for many more years, but I sure hope I'm wrong. Bombardier recently announced a pretty much across-the-board layoff of 11% of the workforce over the next 18 months. The local Learjet facility wasted no time and dropped the hammer about 2 days later on the entire 11% here. That is on top of 600+ plus in Jan 2015 (which got me). I knew that the dedicated Learjet engineering staff was already down to just a handful for product support, and the remaining engineers at the facility are assigned to flight test (for all Bombardier products) and special missions work. It is hard to imagine there will be any new Learjet-branded products. EDIT: I'll add I have ZERO experience flying any products in this arena...I'm just interested in all airplanes since I work in the industry and I enjoy living vicariously through many of you that are flying these things.  Nothing beats reading first-hand accounts of the owner/operators.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 17:40 |
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Joined: 04/16/10 Posts: 2025 Post Likes: +902 Location: Wisconsin
Aircraft: CJ4, AmphibBeaver
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the last thing the industry needs is a failed product. I'm glad they quit with the 85 if it wasn't going to live up to expectations.
I agree with the 70-75, just warmed up 40-45's. Another great brand is on the brink of extinction.
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Post subject: Re: Lear 60 Market Posted: 22 Mar 2016, 19:27 |
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Joined: 08/08/12 Posts: 1445 Post Likes: +938
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Username Protected wrote: It's the same old story. A cheap airplane to buy will not be cheap to fly. There's a reason these things are so cheap to buy. Well, they're not exactly cheap to buy in my opinion. But I would consider them cheap to fly as far as mid-size, long range jets go.
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