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Meet the aircraft
Bombardier's Learjet division developed the 45 as a midsize business jet. Two engines sit beside the rear fuselage, leaving the low wing clear of nacelles. Just Flight's simulator project was announced in the selected development listing and had not been released at that source date.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗A test-flight introduction reveals reassuring handling
The writer joined Dwyer for a hot-weather departure from Wichita, then headed towards the flight-test area after nearby traffic prompted an early turn. In the air, Dwyer demonstrated the divided roll-control system while the visiting pilot experienced how the aircraft responded. The account describes a supervised introduction to an aircraft still completing its certification programme.
September 1997 report; narrator’s name is not displayed. Flight with chief test pilot Dwyer in a Learjet 45 test aircraft; the separately signed interview sidebar has a different authorship context.
AOPA Pilot · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Air-Clips.com · 4 min ·
Manual Flying! Learjet 45 piloted into Mirabel by Captain Yves! [AirClips]
An AirClips cockpit segment follows a Learjet 45 approach to Mirabel.
Real aircraft · Learjet 45
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Learjet 45
Bombardier's Learjet division developed the 45 as a midsize business jet. Two engines sit beside the rear fuselage, leaving the low wing clear of nacelles. Just Flight's simulator project was announced in the selected development listing and had not been released at that source date.
Learjet 45
Learjet → · Explore the family →
Learjet 45
Wikipedia contributors · Learjet 45 ↗Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A new design follows updates to earlier Learjets
The 1997 AOPA report places the 45 after Bombardier’s purchase of Learjet in 1990. Whereas the 31A and 60 developed earlier models, the 45 introduced a new design, including an oval cabin and a flat floor without a wing spar to step across.
AOPA Pilot · Turbine Pilot: Forty-Something ↗Contemporary development report; historical corporate context
Development milestones
First flight: 7 October 1995
Wikipedia contributors · Learjet 45 ↗Learjet 45 · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1368536846
Pilot accounts
A test-flight introduction reveals reassuring handling
The writer joined Dwyer for a hot-weather departure from Wichita, then headed towards the flight-test area after nearby traffic prompted an early turn. In the air, Dwyer demonstrated the divided roll-control system while the visiting pilot experienced how the aircraft responded. The account describes a supervised introduction to an aircraft still completing its certification programme.
Steep turns, low-speed work and a planned engine-idle exercise left the writer impressed by predictable, gentle handling. Back at Wichita, the flight included practice approaches and landings. The test aircraft’s thrust reversers were pinned, a reminder that its configuration was not yet the finished customer installation.
September 1997 report; narrator’s name is not displayed. Flight with chief test pilot Dwyer in a Learjet 45 test aircraft; the separately signed interview sidebar has a different authorship context.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗A favourite aircraft gains more useful climb performance
Rupiper liked the Learjet 45’s cockpit arrangement and its light, responsive controls. He regarded it as an enjoyable aircraft to fly by hand, but his working experience also exposed a practical compromise: filling every passenger seat constrained how far the aircraft could go. His praise was tied to the trips and loads it actually carried.
An upgrade to XR engine specification changed that experience, particularly in the climb above the middle altitudes. He also described a useful combination of full fuel and six passengers after the change.
AOPA Pilot interview · December 2017. Rupiper flew a 2000-model Learjet 45 for several years before its engines were upgraded to XR specification.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗Simulator experience opens the door to a first paid jet trip
Snow’s first month of full-time contract flying brought four Learjet 45 legs over two days and the excitement of being paid to fly. The opportunity grew from an internship at FlightSafety Atlanta, where office work and acting as a second crew member for simulator clients had built familiarity with the cockpit. Those simulator hours were preparation, distinct from flight time in the aircraft.
A programme manager passed Snow’s name to clients who needed a copilot. The resulting trip introduced a well-kept jet and a captain who also appreciated its condition. The forum posts combine satisfaction with the aircraft and gratitude for the referral, while any prospect of a permanent position remained a possibility at the time of writing.
Jetcareers forum · June 2006. Self-reported experience under a public handle; FlightSafety Atlanta intern and contract copilot, not independently identified or described as a simulator instructor.
Read the full account · Jetcareers ↗In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 58 ft 0 in (17.68 m) |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 10 in (14.58 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 1 in (4.30 m) |
| Wing area | 311.6 sq ft (28.95 m² ) |
| Empty weight | 12,850 lb (5,829 kg) |
| Max takeoff weight | 21,500 lb (9,752 kg) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Honeywell TFE731 -20 turbofan , 3,650 lbf (16.2 kN) thrust each |
| Maximum speed | 533 mph (858 km/h, 463 kn) (max cruise) |
| Cruise speed | 510 mph (804 km/h, 445 kn) |
| Range | 1,968 mi (3,167 km, 1,710 nmi) (4 passengers) |
| Service ceiling | 51,000 ft (15,545 m) |
Manuals & resources
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Pilot account
A test-flight introduction reveals reassuring handlingSeptember 1997 report; narrator’s name is not displayed. Flight with chief test pilot Dwyer in a Learjet 45 test aircraft; the separately signed interview sidebar has a different authorship context.
The writer joined Dwyer for a hot-weather departure from Wichita, then headed towards the flight-test area after nearby traffic prompted an early turn. In the air, Dwyer demonstrated the divided roll-control system while the visiting pilot experienced how the aircraft responded. The account describes a supervised introduction to an aircraft still completing its certification programme.
AOPA Pilot flight-test writer
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗A favourite aircraft gains more useful climb performanceAOPA Pilot interview · December 2017. Rupiper flew a 2000-model Learjet 45 for several years before its engines were upgraded to XR specification.
Rupiper liked the Learjet 45’s cockpit arrangement and its light, responsive controls. He regarded it as an enjoyable aircraft to fly by hand, but his working experience also exposed a practical compromise: filling every passenger seat constrained how far the aircraft could go. His praise was tied to the trips and loads it actually carried. An upgrade to XR engine specification changed that experience, particularly in the climb above the middle altitudes.
Kent Rupiper
AOPA Pilot · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft background
Learjet 45Wikipedia contributors · Research background · retrieved 2026-09-12Product
LJ45 ProfessionalJust Flight · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Learjet 45
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
Aircraft reference · Manual starting point
Learjet 45: The profile supplies the chosen control resistance for the represented project.
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