Aircraft overview

The Learjet 60 is a Bombardier Learjet mid size business jet developed from the Learjet 55 family, with a longer fuselage, a revised wing with winglets and more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. The prototype first flew in 1990, with customer deliveries beginning in the early 1990s. Standard Learjet 60 production ran until the introduction of the updated Learjet 60XR, which remained in production into the 2010s. For buyers, the model matters because it combines classic Learjet speed and altitude capability with a larger cabin than earlier light Learjets, placing it in a practical segment for regional and longer domestic business travel.

Performance & specifications

Typical long range cruise is in the low 400 knot range, while high speed cruise is commonly cited at about 450 knots. Maximum range is about 2,400 nautical miles under favorable conditions, making missions such as coast to coast United States trips possible with appropriate payload, weather and reserve planning. The aircraft is certified to 51,000 feet, a key Learjet operating trait that can help with weather avoidance and traffic. Power comes from two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofan engines, each rated at approximately 4,600 pounds of thrust. Useful load varies by aircraft configuration, equipment and service history, so buyers should review the current weight and balance report rather than rely on generic brochure figures.

Cabin & avionics

The Learjet 60 cabin is typically arranged for six to seven passengers, often with a forward club, aft club or side facing seat, a refreshment center and an enclosed aft lavatory. It is not a stand up cabin, but it offers more length and passenger comfort than the smaller Learjet 31 and Learjet 35 series. Early aircraft were delivered with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, including electronic flight displays and integrated flight management equipment. The Learjet 60XR introduced the Collins Pro Line 21 flight deck with larger displays and a more modern interface. Garmin Perspective and G1000 are not standard Learjet 60 avionics suites.

Buying & value

Used Learjet 60 values are strongly influenced by engine status, hot section and overhaul timing, avionics modernization, paint, interior condition and compliance with mandates such as ADS B. Buyers should distinguish clearly between the original Learjet 60 and the Learjet 60XR, since the XR brings Pro Line 21 avionics and cabin updates. Common upgrades include WAAS LPV capability, updated transponders, cockpit voice recorder changes, cabin connectivity and interior refurbishment. In the used market, the Learjet 60 is often positioned as a fast mid size jet with attractive acquisition pricing, balanced against higher operating costs than many light jets and the need for careful maintenance record review.