Learjet 25

Twin Jet

The Learjet 25 is the stretched, higher-performance successor to Bill Lear's revolutionary Model 23, introduced in 1966 and produced through 1982. Adding four feet of fuselage length over the original Learjet, the Model 25 seated up to eight passengers and became one of the most successful early business jets, with over 700 built across multiple variants including the improved 25B, 25C, and 25D models. Its twin General Electric CJ610 turbojets delivered a maximum cruise speed of 481 knots and a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, performance that made it a favorite for corporate transport, air ambulance operations, and even military liaison roles. The Learjet 25's distinctive low-wing design, tip tanks, and steep approach profile became iconic in business aviation. Its relatively short takeoff distance of around 5,400 feet and transcontinental range of approximately 1,500 nautical miles made it practical for a wide variety of missions, though its small cabin cross-section and somewhat demanding handling characteristics required skilled pilots. The type earned a reputation for speed and efficiency but also for being unforgiving of pilot error, particularly during approach and landing. Today, the Learjet 25 remains in active service primarily with private owners and smaller charter operators, valued for its low acquisition cost and still-respectable performance despite being a half-century-old design. Many have been retrofitted with upgraded avionics and winglets to improve efficiency and safety. SkyMeter has tracked 52 flights across 14 airframes and 14 operators, with OLSEN DAVID A the largest observed operator.