The Learjet 60 is said to have been designed for a niche market – private jets that climb quickly to high cruise levels, have fast cruise speeds, operate economically, and are reliable. It would seem that those features would attract more than a niche worth of buyers, but the important point is that the Learjet 60 more than lives up to these expectations.
The cabin of the Learjet 60 is the biggest yet in the Learjet line. Able to hold seven or eight passengers, the cabin is designed to have the most space where it counts – specifically, elbow room for seated passengers. Amenities like fold-out work tables and radio phone come standard, and a fax machine, microwave, and coffee maker can be added as desired.
The strongest feature of the Learjet 60 is its cruise performance. It can climb to its cruise level of 43,000 feet in less than fourteen minutes when loaded to its maximum takeoff weight of 23,500 pounds. Once at cruise level, it can reach speeds of up to 457 knots (about .76 Mach). It has a transcontinental range of 2,590 miles (2250 nautical miles) when carrying six or seven passengers. With an average fuel consumption of 203 gallons per hour, the 60 is surprisingly comparable to smaller light weight private jets.
