Learjet 55 Aircraft 1980s
Learjet, produced under Bombardier Aviation.
1980s heavy jets include Gulfstream III/IV (early), Hawker 800 (early), Falcon 900 (early), Challenger 600/601. Rolls-Royce Tay, BR710 (predecessors) and TFE731 engines from this era are proven; airframes are heavily mandate-upgraded by now. Two-crew operations standard; recurrent training requirements unchanged from modern equivalents. Pre-buy must include thorough mandate- compliance audit and engine-program enrollment verification.
The Learjet 55 (nicknamed "Longhorn" for the distinctive winglets) is the midsize Learjet that preceded the 60 — produced 1981-1987 with twin Garrett TFE731-3A engines, stand-up cabin and cruise around 460 kt. The 55 brought stand-up cabin comfort to the Learjet line for the first time; the 55B/C were minor variants. As an older midsize Learjet, the 55 is the most affordable way into a stand-up-cabin Learjet — but mandate upgrades, engine costs and parts availability are significant considerations.
11 used Learjet 55 aircraft for sale 1980s · 10-seat · Reference price ~$950,000 ($550,000–$1,600,000) · updated yesterday
Learjet 55 Specifications
Model specThe Learjet 55 is a 10-seat midsize jet with a cruise speed of 430 kt (796 km/h), a range of 1,850 nm (3,426 km), and a useful load of 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg).
Learjet 55 for Sale
Browse all listings →Learjet 55 asking prices range from $595,000 to $1,095,000, with a median of $895,000 (market reference $950,000).
Compare Learjet 55
See how the Learjet 55 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Learjet 55 Price & Cost
How much does a Learjet 55 cost? Used 55 prices: $595K – $1.1M, average $861K (median $895K); market reference $950K, across 3 priced of 11 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Learjet 55
Buying a Learjet 55 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Learjet 55
What are the main problems with the Learjet 55?
Is the Learjet 55 a viable purchase in the current market?
What does the Learjet 55 offer that newer jets dont?
Learjet 55 Inventory by Country
| United States | 11 |
| Germany | 1 |
Learjet 55 Safety Record
Across all 55 variants, 14 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1986–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
14
Total Events
8
Incidents
0
Serious
4
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24, 2025 | La Guaira, OF | Fatal (2) | — |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA | Fatal (6) | — |
| Jun 22, 2022 | Caracas, | Fatal (6) | — |
| Feb 19, 2021 | Jeffersonville, IN | Incident | The flight crew’s failure to verify the correct runway for landing, which resulted in a landing on a snow contaminated r… |
| Feb 26, 2020 | Farmingdale, NJ | Incident | The flight crew's failure to stop the airplane on the available runway, which was wet and resulted in the airplane impac… |
NTSB records 1986–2025. Includes all Learjet 55 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.