The Learjet 75 aircraft departed
Westchester
County Airport
in
White Plains, NY at 8 a.m. EDT, flying at a maximum
cruising speed of M 0.81. The aircraft touched
down at Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport in
Wichita for refuelling on both legs
of the flight and also at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles where Clay Lacy, flanked by the
original Learjet 23 aircraft, was on hand to
offer encouragement.
The pilots returned to Westchester County
Airport at 8:26 p.m. with
more than adequate fuel reserves and a new
record under their belts. "The jet handled
beautifully throughout the flight, from its
superior performance at takeoff to its ability
to cruise comfortably at close to the speed of
sound with lots of extra pep," said Captain
Hillis.
"A pioneering spirit has long been associated
with the Learjet name, and this achievement will
go down in the record books - not only as this
aircraft's display of prowess, but also as the
further evolution of the proud and enduring
Learjet legend," said David Coleal, President,
Bombardier Business Aircraft. "We congratulate
our pilots Ed Hillis and Jeff Triphahn on their
new record and Clay Lacy on the 50th anniversary
of his historic flight." The Learjet 23
aircraft, Learjet's first model, entered into
service on October 13, 1964 and ushered in a new
market for modern business aircraft.
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