The Learjet 36A is based on the Learjet 25 airframe, with a 1-foot increase in length and a 2-foot increase in each wingtip outboard of the ailerons. The introduction of the 35/36 series in 1973 was a result of Honeywell TFE 731 engine research and development that promised lower noise levels and fuel consumption than the GE engines used on the Learjet 25 series.
The Learjet 36 is a Model 35 with the rear bench seat removed to make room for an auxiliary fuel tank holding 1,200 pounds of additional fuel. The extra fuel increased range 423 nautical miles, enabling the Learjet 36 to fly non-stop coast to coast. It did not take customers long to realize that a Learjet 35 flying at high cruise and making one refueling stop could beat the 36 from Los Angeles to New York by 20 minutes. Only 43 Learjet 36s were delivered, compared to 609 Model 35s.
