I’m a long time Lear pilot and it would be easy to own and operate one for myself but a Falcon seems very interesting. Cost look to be the same, range is the same, better runway numbers for the Falcon.

Budget .5m
Want real 1500nm range
Props are for boats and citations are too slow.

TIA

It’s the price and availability of spares

Good luck

I'm not sure the runway numbers are better for the Falcon 10. We stopped at ElPaso once and when we looked at the TO data, we'd have had to stay until November to takeoff. They have the same engines as the Lear 35 but are flat rated due to inadequate rudder in the 10.

Can’t speak directly to the Falcon 10, but the Falcon 20 is becoming harder and more expensive to support. I’ve heard they are pretty similar though. The big inspections and gear overhauls are eye watering and the routine maintenance adds up in a hurry.

You're talking about older, hard-to-support jets. One model you know, one you don't. The only cited advantage to the Falcon is better runway. Are the numbers really that much better for the fields you need to use?

What about SIC availability?

[quote="John Cruce"]I’m a long time Lear pilot and it would be easy to own and operate one for myself but a Falcon seems very interesting. Cost look to be the same, range is the same, better runway numbers for the Falcon.

Budget .5m
Want real 1500nm range
Props are for boats and citations are too slow.

I’ve flown both. The Falcon 10 is a better built, runway performance, and faster.
Falcon is way more expensive to operate that the Lear is.
I would call a few notable maintenance shops and ask about parts availability for both. My guess is the Lear would be the better buy.

My buddy just parted out his Falcon 10 he owned for 18 years because it was too difficult and expensive to support. The cabin always smelled like Jet A. I think a Lear is the way to go if you want to go fast cheaply.

Oh, heck, anybody can be a Falcon 10 SIC. Even me

In the early 2000’s it was a real sweet spot for speed, acquisition cost and reasonable gas mileage. There were actually a lot of seats if you wanted, we only used a few.

Great flying plane, wonderful handling.

What I heard from John King more recently is that getting parts is a real scrounging effort, kind of like having an older pressurized twin but the parts are much more expensive when you can get them.

If you’re already up the learning curve for the Lear, why switch?

I routinely hit 0.73 or higher at FL400/410 in my Citation V.

On the longest flights, that's maybe 15 minutes longer than a Lear 35. On shorter flights, little difference.

Going to be way cheaper than a Lear to maintain and operate, one would think.

Can use quite short runways.

Easily does 1500 nm flights.

Also, can be operated single pilot with SPE. Lear never can be.

Mike C.

Parts for the 35/36 aren’t exactly found around every corner anymore. Some cp ADIs are no longer repairable because the part that always wears out is no longer made and every core has had that part removed all ready. Getting a pressurization module fixed at Bombardier usually takes 10-12 months, if they can find the parts. Loaners or exchange units are usually not available, depending on the dash number. I personally installed three “removed serviceable” modules a couple years ago, before getting one that worked. The latest part that can’t be found are main gear tires. That’s going to be a real problem when flying 50-75 hours per month, per airframe.

Legally yes

Insured sounds like it's gotten to be a much different matter

I flew the 31a after we hit a goose with a test pilot throughout the stall testing. No bad habits at all.

I heard the FJ10 does a nice roll.

I don't know about the Falcon 10, but I share a hangar with a company who operates several Falcon models. They have a 20 that looks brand new. Paint and interior are amazing. Unfortunately looking good is all it does. Its due for a major inspection. I'm told the inspection and required overhauls (not engines) are $500k assuming nothing else is found, and that conclusion is not likely. In spite of the cosmetic condition the airplane isn't worth that much so it will never fly again.

Cable flight controls vs hydraulics.
Wheel/brake assemblies are pretty reasonably priced on the Lear I’m told.

Virtually every air ambulance operator uses Lear’s.
I suspect the Lear can be run cheaper but I don’t pay the bills.

If you haven't flown a Falcon 10 you are missing out on something special.

Same on the 20 retrofit.