First Learjet 28 To Make Final Flight to Museum

The first Learjet 28 Longhorn (S/N 28-001)—which as a prototype was famously flown by Neil Armstrong and Learjet test pilot Pete Reynolds in 1979—will have a permanent home in its retirement. The twinjet, which has had several owners and registrations since it notched five FAI and NAA records with Armstrong in the cockpit, is being donated to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio (the late astronaut’s hometown) by Kevin Hayward, president and CEO of Ox Industries.

Registered as N128LR, the jet is scheduled to arrive at Neil Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville, Ohio, on August 5, which would have been the first man to walk on the Moon’s 90th birthday. Scheduled to copilot the twinjet on its last flight is former NASA astronaut and two-time space shuttle pilot Col. Gregory Johnson (USAF Ret.). Citing Armstrong as a personal hero, Johnson said it would be an honor to copilot the historic Lear 28 to its new home.

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The aircraft will remain at the airport on display until it is ready to be transported to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, capping a five-year effort by the museum's board of directors to obtain it. The Longhorn will be installed near a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champion, the first aircraft Armstrong ever flew.