Progress Report - October 2025

We continue to work toward preparing 23-003 for the Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) phase of her restoration. The cabin windows were removed on October 8, 2025.

As of October 9, 2025, we are moving forward with the preparation efforts for the removal of the windshields. Lee Aerospace will do the actual removals in order to accurately manufacture duplicate windshields to fit into the existing structural framework and fastener hole pattern. Lee Aerospace will also manufacture new cabin windows for 23-003 N200Y!

We are going through the wiring from each connector in the wiring bundle, that was previously removed from 23-003, comparing each wire to the production wiring diagrams to identify the purpose of each wire. This information will be used when we build the new wiring harness to ensure that it accurately covers all of the needs of 23-003.

The tip tanks were taken to the K&L Body Shop by owner Larry Ortiz to have the last remnants of paint and aerodynamic filler (Bondo) removed on October 21, 2025. Thank You Larry Ortiz and the K&L Body Shop for coming forward to help with the restoration!

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Rebuild of 23-003 Officially Starts!! - January 2026

By Kristen Nuss • February 2, 2026

LATE BREAKING NEWS: The rebuilding of 23-003 N200Y has officially started! On January 28, 2026 the first set of wires for the new wire harness were cut! Volunteers Denver Plumb and Mike Johnson made the first cut! We would like to thank John Bowman and Larry Thimmesch of Incora for the donation of the wire. We are making great progress in getting all the removed parts identified with part numbers and returned to the storage racks. We are working with Katie Yaverski to get all the racks identified and labeled for location identification. We are moving forward with a partnership with S.E.A.L. Aviation for overhaul and repair of numerous items and components! They will be a great asset to CLJF and the efforts to rebuild 23-003. The wing from of 23-003 is now in a stored position on its leading edge against the south hangar wall in order to give us some additional working room in the hangar.

Progress Report - December 2025

By Kristen Nuss • January 5, 2026

Classic Lear Jet Foundation has entered into our next major step in our restoration of 23-003 N200Y, the Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI)! NDI testing started on the forward fuselage of 23-003 on December 11, 2025. This will be a lengthy process that will continue into next year. It is a slow and steady work that uses X-ray photography to detect structural defects such as corrosion, cracks, etc. Because of the use of X-rays, we cannot be in the hangar so our restoration work has had to be paused when the NDI testing is in progress. The process starts with placing unexposed x-ray film on the fuselage at the desired inspection location. Then aiming the x-ray emitter on the opposite side of the structure. When the emitter is activated, x-rays pass through the structure and into the film. After the film is developed, the result is a ‘picture’ of the structure that shows any defect, corrosion, crack, etc. The structural visual inspections, using flashlights, mirrors and trained eyes, are also progressing, but slowly because of the NDI testing. It is amazing that we have entered the NDI phase on 23-003 in less than 2 years since our restoration started! On December 30, 2023, Jay Thomas removed the first Dzus fastener, officially kicking off the restoration of 23-003. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have put in nearly 2,000 hours of work to get us to this major phase on the road to fly N200Y again!

Holiday Special Edition - December 2025

By Kristen Nuss • December 22, 2025

If you receive the RECHARGE newsletter, we assume you are already a valued supporter or donor to the Classic Lear Jet Foundation. We want to wish you a happy holiday season and we feel it appropriate to provide feedback on just what exactly your support has provided over the last year. Our mission is to restore the aircraft to an airworthy condition and return it to its 1964 original appearance. Due to its historical significance, we are looking much more in depth than a traditional aircraft inspection. Every part of this aircraft is being removed, inspected and cataloged for future repairs, restoration and reinstallation. Our electricians are fully documenting the electrical wiring in the aircraft, carefully identifying each individual wire and preparing to re-manufacture that wiring. With 147,000 inches (2.3 miles) and hundreds of engineering changes that’s a big job. We also spend a lot of time evaluating the necessary repairs and restoration of the aircraft structure and systems. We have made many field trips in search of aircraft structural and system components. Most of which are long obsolete, some of which we have found, some remain elusive, some we will have to fabricate. Another area of activity is seeking out donors for services, such as fabrication of replacement parts, (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and necessary aircraft verification services. Behind the scenes, these hours are worked by a team of 7 individuals who donate their time every Tuesday and Thursday. As of this writing our volunteers have donated approximately 1900 aircraft labor hours with 1400 being logged since January 1.