The Lear 55 began as a concept by Bombardier announced in 1977 to build a private business jet with larger cabins than then existed. In developing the 50 series, the company utilized winglets developed by NASA which gave rise to the nickname, the Longhorn. In early 1978, construction was started on the Lear 55 after final testing of the wing design commenced and the first jet took flight a year later with the first production model delivered in 1981.
