Did someone say I wish that Bombardier had a private jet that had a large cabin and a range of 2,400 nautical miles and really good performance and still looked like a Learjet? Can you say, “Lear 60?”

The Learjet 45 is often referred to as a “super” light jet. This is usually spoken by Lear 45 salesmen, but the truth is, the Lear 45 is a terrific private jet. A totally new aircraft design, the Lear 45 fills the niche between the smaller 30-series Lears and the mid-size Lear 60.

In recent years much has been made about the relative benefits afforded by new generation aircraft versus existing pre-owned models. That argument, championed primarily by sellers of fractional jet programs, promotes the notion that “newer aircraft are far superior to pre-owned jets and provide increased safety and reliability."

A working pilot only flies when he is told and then only to the airport that his company designates. For much of my career, I seemed to only fly into and out of the world’s busiest airport hub. In all kinds of bad weather. And, seemingly, only on holidays, family birthdays and wedding anniversaries.