Historical Note

Lear JeTravel was a small commuter airline established in northern Nevada by William P. Lear in 1968. Its inaugural flight was on December 5, 1968 and was piloted by WPL. Passengers included then-Governor of Nevada Paul Laxalt and Mrs. Laxalt as well as Dean Phillips, a banking executive. Jill Van Ness served as stewardess.

Morgan Hettrich was made general manager and chief pilot, though he served as co-pilot on the airline’s first flight. Phil Mench, who had previously worked for Bonanza Air Lines and Air West, was hired as sales manager.

The airline offered twice daily service, seven days a week, from Reno Municipal Airport to Hollywood-Burbank airport, with a fleet of two aircraft capable of carrying six to eight passengers. It is unknown how long the airline was in existence.

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