July 28, 2020
Our Guide to the Bombardier Learjet 45XR
One of the Best Mid-Size Private Jets for Sale
Flying Magazine calls the Bombardier Learjet 45XR the “Swiss Army knife of jets.” This mid-size jet is an upgraded version of the Learjet 45. Introduced in 2004, the 45XR allows for higher take-off weights, faster speeds, and swifter time-to-climb rates than its predecessor, thanks to smart engine modifications.
With additional safety enhancements, a handsome and thoughtfully-designed cabin interior, and ease-of-flying, the Learjet 45XR is a smart choice for companies considering purchasing a business aircraft.
Although the 45XR was discontinued in 2012, it is still widely available and highly sought-after in pre-owned private jet markets, including on AircraftExchange.com.
Private Jet Specifications
The 45XR allows for an additional 1,000 pounds gross weight as compared to the original Learjet 45, which significantly increased payload, range, and fuel options. These changes are due, in part, to the two upgraded Honeywell engines in the TFE731-20BR configuration, flat-rated to 3,500 pounds thrust, at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, 16 degrees above the original Model 45’s engines.
This Learjet is about 14 feet tall, 58 feet long, and has a wingspan of nearly 48 feet. Despite its overall size, it requires a shorter runway than many mid-size private jets. Refer to the lists below for additional technical specifications.
Learjet 45XR Range | Learjet 45XR Distances |
Learjet 45XR Performance | Learjet 45XR Operating Weights Operating Weight: 14125 lb Fuel Capacity: 6062 lb |
45XR Cabin Features
The interior cabin accommodates eight passengers in a double-club seating arrangement, allowing face-to-face meetings of up to four participants. The aft toilet completely encloses for use as a ninth seat when necessary. In the cabin, passengers will find adequate room to swivel and recline, access personal work tables that fold down from the walls, and conduct business in-flight using its included Internet access, touchscreen cabin management system, and Apple docking station.
The timeless styling of the leather seats and woodburl paneling give the 45XR the air of an executive’s office. At the front of the plane, just behind the cockpit, is a small, but well-appointed galley that includes a microwave oven, hot liquid containers, and a flip-down seat.
Overall, the cabin is about five feet wide and 19 feet, 9 inches long, but the layout is designed to provide the most usable passenger space as possible and never feels claustrophobic. Its interior also includes a 15-cubic foot baggage storage area for easy access to suitcases, laptop bags, and other necessities.
Two important considerations to make prior to purchasing a private jet is interior cabin noise and climate control. The Learjet 45XR offers a two-zone temperature control system that heats or cools the cockpit separately from the cabin; further, the noise level in the cabin never exceeds 72 decibels while the aircraft is in operation. To put the decibel level into perspective, 72 decibels is only slightly louder than normal conversation (60-70 db) and less loud than a landline telephone dial tone (80 db).
Standard Cockpit Features in the Learjet 45XR
To dedicate the majority of space to the cabin, the 45XR cockpit is rather tight and requires delicate maneuvering to get into the seats. Once seated, however, the crew will find excellent windshield visibility, improved Rosen visors, and modern technology.
The Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics system, with TCAS and EGPWS comes standard, and it includes four large-format ERO Frequency Information Systems (EFIS) and a 3-D approach navigation system through a Universal UNS-1C FMS. Wireless electronic flight bags (EFBs) help the crew manage flights and can include optional GPS and XM Weather. Some pilots have reported the digital nosewheel steering in the 45XR can be quite sensitive, but once they get used to it, they find it to be quite desirable.
Learjet 45XR Safety Enhancements
While Bombardier designed the original Learjet 45, the Federal Aviation Administration made anti-ice system standards more stringent. As a result, the Learjet 45 and 45XR received the most advanced anti-ice system of any other jet in its class to improve overall ice removal. Bleed air load balancing software increases the engine’s total thrust. The rate of climb is improved as the system is in use, which distributes the bleed air system between the engines so they perform uniformly.
The Learjet 45XR meets FAR part 25 amendment 75 safety standards, which are nearly identical to those required for Boeing 777s. The 45XR’s fuselage is made from precision-made high-strength aluminum alloys. On the interior, an extra pressure relief port is added to the door for passenger safety.
Additional Benefits
Bombardier aircraft designers made some key choices when creating the Learjet 45XR. First, in addition to the 15-cubic-foot baggage area in the cabin, an external 50-cubic-foot baggage area is also available for storage, which keeps the cabin from feeling cluttered or overly full.
A single-point pressure refueling system (SPPR) allows for the 904-gallon fuel system to be filled in about 10 minutes, which expedites turnaround times. The aircraft does not need to be powered to refill the tanks; the fueling panel and valves are powered by the emergency battery.
Your company’s ground crewman or operations manager will find the external access door to the lavatory to be highly convenient, as it eliminates the need to carry waste through the cabin when servicing and cleaning the aircraft.
Learjet 45XR Costs
Used jets for sale will vary in cost as the market changes. However, as of June 2020, the average listing price was $3.2 million, with some sellers asking for about $2 million. Brand-new, the Learjet 45XR sold for $13 million.
Operational costs per year vary depending on frequency of use, local costs for fuel and labor, and more. The total fixed cost per year is about $462,000, while the total variable cost per year is about $885,000.
Find a Learjet for Sale
Most people find the Learjet 45XR to be extremely reliable, with above-average performance and fuel economy, making it a viable option for your company’s next mid-size private jet. This very comfortable jet is simple to fly, while providing all the most important amenities for its executive business passengers.
For the most trustworthy practices in used jet sales, AircraftExchange.com recommends working with an aircraft dealer who has earned accreditation through the International Aircraft Dealers Association. IADA Accredited Aircraft Dealers undergo a rigorous vetting process and pledge to adhere to a code of ethics that is unmatched in the industry. Find an accredited dealer.