Lear JeTravel
Organization
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.
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.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Series IX. Lear JeTravel, 1968
Series
Scope and Contents: Lear JeTravel
This single-file series documents the first flight of Lear JeTravel airline with two newspaper clippings from the Reno Evening Gazette dated December 5, 1968 and the Nevada State Journal from December 6, 1968. Both articles discuss the inaugural flight, piloted by WPL, and its passengers. The articles also state that the airline planned to offer twice daily service, seven days a week, from the Reno Municipal Airport to the...