Pole to pole: A Learjet will soon leave Wichita on a worldwide mission
A Learjet will depart from Wichita this week as pilots try to fly to the South Pole, then the North Pole and back to Wichita in three days.
The 'Polar Mission,' more formally known as polar circumnavigation, is a trip through both poles. The flight was organized by the Classic Lear Jet Foundation based in Wichita.
'No Learjet has ever attempted this aggressive mission,' foundation spokesperson Rick Rowe said.
The Rockwell Polar Flight in November 1965 was the first to complete a circumnavigation.
The mission is intended to raise money to restore Lear Jet 23-003, the first Learjet to ever be delivered to a customer on Oct. 13, 1964, Rowe said in a phone call.
The foundation is in the early stages of restoration and is dismantling the plane. Rowe could not say how much it would cost to restore it.
'We have to take all the wiring, plumbing, flight control cables and all the insulation out of the fuselage,' Rowe said. 'In other words, just make it, make it a skeleton.'
The Learjet 36A that will be flown across the world landed at Stearman Airfield in Benton on April 24. It will depart on April 30 and will return May 3.
The funding and plane were provided by Global Jetcare, an air ambulance company based in Florida. Bart Gray is the CEO of Global Jetcare and the vice president of the Classic Lear Jet Foundation.
'He is an avid Learjet pilot and a real aficionado of Learjet airplanes,' Rowe said. 'He is the one who suggested we do this and has done all the planning for it.'
Gray, along with three other pilots, will take turns flying the plane on the polar mission.
'At each stop on the flight, the crew will perform research by placing a scale on the wing of the plane to help determine if the Earth is bigger on the Equator and document it,' the foundation said.
There are 12 stops on the route, a flight path graphic shows.
Lear Jet was founded in 1962 by William Powell. It was later renamed Learjet. Bombardier acquired the company in 1990 and announced the end of production for all models in 2021, bringing roughly 60 years of Learjet history to an end.
Lear Jet 23-003 has historical significance.
'Business aviation was alive and well in 1962 to 1964 when Bill Lear first came to town and started building the jet,' Rowe said. 'But during that time they were flying piston prop planes, so when Bill got the Lear all figured out and designed and engineered and delivered, the world became a lot smaller because this airplane would go twice as far, twice as fast than the business aviation airplanes at that time.'
The Learjet used two General Electric turbojet engines.
Rowe added: 'It's iconic to civilian aviation as a business jet, just as Doc [B29] is to military aviation.'
A real-time tracker will be available to view the plane's route after it departs from Wichita at https://share.garmin.com/POLARMISSION
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New York Post
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- New York Post
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'We're on track to develop the first-ever FDA-approved drug for longevity — for any species,' Halioua said. 'Dogs share our environments and develop remarkably similar age-related diseases at similar stages of life, making them valuable models for human health and scientific research,' she added. Dogs make us healthier, too Halioua's lifelong love of animals runs deep. 'I've always been surrounded by animals — growing up, my family had 15 pets and rehabilitated wild animals,' she said. 'My Rottweiler, Della, is always by my side and is a major influence on the work I do.' It turns out dogs don't just bring love — they could bring health benefits as well. Studies show that dogs can ease loneliness, stress and anxiety. One even found that just 10 minutes of petting a pooch can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. 6 Dogs are known for their unconditional love and companionship. yurakrasil – Even locking eyes with your dog gives your brain a boost. A 2009 Japanese study found that staring into their eyes raises oxytocin — the 'love hormone' linked to bonding and happiness. Dogs might even help you live longer. A sweeping review of research from 1950 to 2019 found that dog owners consistently have a lower risk of death compared to those without pets. It's no accident. Research shows that dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease. Plus, they get more exercise, which builds muscle, strengthen bones and joints and keeps weight in check. That's no coincidence. Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and less risk of heart disease. Plus, they're more active — walking their dogs regularly strengthens muscles, bones and joints, and helps keep weight in check. Some research even links dog ownership to bigger brains and sharper thinking, with faster processing speed and better memory. And here's the kicker: a major study found owning a dog lowers dementia risk — a benefit not shared by cat owners.
Yahoo
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To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business Wire
Capsida Receives FDA IND Clearance for Its IV-Administered Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Disease Associated With GBA Mutations
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