Learjet 35a

Twin Jet

The Learjet 28 and 29 Longhorn represent a distinctive chapter in business aviation history as Learjet's answer to the demand for improved short-field performance and fuel efficiency in the late 1970s. Introduced in 1977, these variants featured dramatically reshaped wings with extended winglets—earning the "Longhorn" nickname—that increased span by nearly three feet and reduced takeoff distance by roughly 15 percent compared to the standard Learjet 25. Powered by twin Garrett TFE731 turbofans producing 3,500 pounds of thrust each, the Longhorn could climb directly to 41,000 feet and cruise at Mach 0.81 while carrying six to eight passengers across 1,500 nautical miles. The Model 28 seated up to eight, while the Model 29 traded two seats for additional fuel capacity and extended range to nearly 1,800 nautical miles. Though only about 100 Longhorns were built before production shifted to the refined Learjet 35/36 series in 1982, the type proved the aerodynamic concepts that would define Learjet's medium-cabin jets for the next decade. The distinctive wingtip profile became an iconic silhouette at executive airports worldwide, and many Longhorns remain in service today with charter operators and private owners who value the type's hot-and-high performance. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with unique routes observed.