Flashback to 1981

“Torch” Lewis and the Lear Fan

One of the autoclaves used to cure the Lear Fan's carbon fiber fuselage.

The Lear Fan cockpit under construction. Avionics were state of the art for the day.

Composite construction and distinctive configuration set the Lear Fan apart.

It was the gearbox that proved to be the Lear Fan's Achille's heel. They never got it right.

A brace of turboprops driving a single pusher propeller was the concept.

Pratt & Whitney provided the 'reliable engines,' all right, but the configuration never worked out successfully.

Flying Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!