Bombardier Learjet 55

Overview

The Bombardier Learjet 55, branded the “Longhorn” for its distinctive winglets, is the first stand-up-cabin Learjet and a deliberate Gates Learjet attempt to compete with the larger Cessna Citation III and Hawker 800 brackets. First flown in 1979 and certificated in 1981, the Model 55 paired a new larger fuselage with the supercritical “Longhorn” wing originally developed for the abandoned Learjet 28/29 program. 147 airframes were built across the 55, 55B, and 55C variants through 1986; the line was succeeded several years later by the redesigned Learjet 60, which shared the cabin but moved to PW305A turbofans. All 55-series variants used twin Honeywell TFE731-3A turbofans rated at 3,700 lbf each.

For the GA buyer, the Learjet 55 sits in a transition bracket: it carries the Lear performance pedigree but adds the cabin volume that the rest of the family lacks. Compared with the Learjet 35/36 it gives up some cruise speed and trades up for stand-up cabin height, longer transcontinental range, and the supercritical wing’s improved low-speed manners. Compared with the Cessna Citation V, it offers a higher ceiling and a more spirited handling character but lower fuel economy and a longer required runway. The natural step-up is the Learjet 60, which inherits the cabin and adds modern avionics, FADEC, and meaningfully better range.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Stand-up cabin. Unlike previous Learjets, the Model 55 features a cabin height of roughly 5‘7”, allowing for much greater passenger comfort during longer flights.
• High-altitude performance. Certified for flights up to 51,000 ft, allowing it to climb above most weather and commercial traffic for smoother, more direct routing.
• Range. Capable of transcontinental flights (approximately 2,000+ nm), making it a versatile option for business travel.

Trade-offs

• Runway performance. Requires a relatively long runway for takeoff (5,600+ ft at sea level), which may limit access to smaller general aviation airports compared to lighter jets or turboprops.
• Operating costs. As an older jet with twin turbofan engines, fuel burn and maintenance costs are higher than modern light jets.

See Also

• Bombardier Learjet 35/36 – the smaller-cabin predecessor sharing the TFE731 powerplant family. Compare
• Bombardier Learjet 31 – the light-jet descendant that uses the 55’s “Longhorn” wing without tip tanks. Compare
• Bombardier Learjet 60 – the direct successor with PW305A turbofans, modern avionics, and longer range. Compare
• Cessna Citation V/Ultra/Encore – the closest direct competitor in the mid-light cabin bracket. Compare
• Hawker 800XP – the bracket-up competitor offering a larger cabin and more range. Compare