Business Aviation

The Learjet 31 is an American ten seat (two crew and eight passengers) twin-engined, high speed business jet. Manufactured by Learjet (a subsidiary of Bombardier) as the successor to the Learjet 29.

The Learjet Model 31 is, arguably, the ultimate realization of the original Learjet series (dating back to the model 23 of 1963). Essentially combining the fuselage and engines of the model 35/36 with the “Longhorn” wing of the 28, 29 and 55 models, results in performance which is equaled by few aircraft. Normal cruise altitudes range from 41,000 to 47,000 feet (12,500-14,900 m) and the aircraft’s maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet (15,500 m) is a distinction shared by only a handful of civil aircraft. Improvements over earlier models, such as “Delta-Fins” and a “Ski-Locker” increased the utility and improved the performance of the model 31. Addition of Delta-Fins at the bottom of the empennage simplified the certification process of the aircraft by eliminating the need for a “stick pusher” stall avoidance device. Increased directional stability, as a result of the Delta-Fins, was also a welcome benefit.