BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Mar 2015, 13:42

Username Protected wrote:

I spent a few years in the 90's flying WW I and II's. It was the first jet that I got comfortable in. You've got to be the first person to claim it's sexy, lol. It was always compared to other mid-sized jets like Hawkers and Citation III and VII's, but at a cheaper price. I don't regret ever flying one and learned quite a bit as a right seat 135 guy. My recollection was something like this; it flies like a cement truck until you land, then it promptly turns into a shopping cart full of watermelons.

All kidding aside, they are a great ride. The mid-wing caused some flap issues, but other than that it was a solid plane, known as the Bagel Bomber, Yom Kipper Clipper, Jew Canoe, etc. Obviously built in Israel.

You can sure buy one on the cheap now.

Its grand papy started out in Oklahoma.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Mar 2015, 15:53

I flew for an operation that operated the Citation 560, Citation 650, HS125/800A, Falcon 50EX, and the IAI 1124. The 1124 was the most reliable and efficient aircraft in the fleet and it was also the oldest. A little slower than most jets but it doesn't need a fuel stop for most missions. Fairly good on a short field too. Can't believe they are going so cheap.
Don't let the boots fool you. As far as I remember it is FAR 25 certificated and it's as capable as anything operated part 91 or 135 or otherwise.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Mar 2015, 22:29

Username Protected wrote:

I currently fly a 1981 Westwind I. Having come from 9,000+ hours in a CRJ it was quite the wake up going from glass back to steam gauges. My friend bought one and I agreed to fly right seat with him. They are dirt cheap ($600k) to buy for a jet, 3,000 nm range @ M.74. MX has actually been pretty good and it's on an hourly basis, not calender. It's really the best bang for the buck you can get in a jet. Yes, they have boots.... but for Part 91 type flying were you don't HAVE to go it's more than up for the job.

How much does it burn up at altitude, James?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Mar 2015, 10:23

Wow! Overall these planes could be a great deal!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Mar 2015, 13:05

Think I've seen a good number of these at Long Beach, looked like they were based there, worth asking the operators. They do seem quite an interesting value.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Mar 2015, 23:45

I can see deputizing the wife as SIC pilot - get her a bare bones PPL ME and off we go!! :cheers:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Mar 2015, 16:01

Our Honduran government is planning on selling the one you posted, Adam. They got a Legacy "donated" fm Taiwan.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2015, 15:54

Because I was bored and Googling:

http://www.bjtonline.com/business-jet-news/westwind-ii

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2015, 18:09

2900 miles?? :bugeye:

At what speed? I think these things are extremely ugly but there can't be another plane near this size or price range that can go that far.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2015, 18:54

From the operators I've talked to, they do not have the range mentioned. Not unless range is defined as flying to flameout.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Sep 2015, 19:09

Username Protected wrote:

Is it me, or are the old IAI Westwinds/Commander Jet's rather sexy? I still think their design looks modern and fresh. That midwing behind the cabin and those big fans at the back. And especially those twin front wheels makes it look aggressive and cool.

Anyone ever fly one?

I loved flying these but, alas, there's a good reason why these and Saberliners and older Astras are so cheap:

https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... s-that-are

Won't be able to fly them into most airports

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Sep 2015, 19:30

Username Protected wrote:

Is it me, or are the old IAI Westwinds/Commander Jet's rather sexy? I still think their design looks modern and fresh. That midwing behind the cabin and those big fans at the back. And especially those twin front wheels makes it look aggressive and cool.

Anyone ever fly one?

I loved flying these but, alas, there's a good reason why these and Saberliners and older Astras are so cheap:

https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... s-that-are

Won't be able to fly them into most airports

Username Protected · **Posted:** 09 Nov 2015, 22:35

Warning! Unrealistic mad daydreams! Indulge at own risk!

So I'm going to Argentina for work next week. And as usual, what always happens, I get another job right after it and they want me back in LA as soon as possible. So now it's a mad scramble to try to get a flight back in time. Might lose the whole job if I can't swing it. Yes, it's a luxury problem, but still a problem.

Hence the daydream.

So, what if I deputize the wife, make her get her PPL ME IR and we get an old Westwind II? That way I could get back to LA much quicker than doing it by airlines. From what I can see, it'll do about 2500nm non stop. Suckers can be had for about $250K, all in. But that got me thinking - 2500nm means 3 stops from Buenos Aires to LA. What if that could be reduced to 2 stops? If we're going 2 crew anyway, might as well get one with more range, no? So I started looking at Learjets. Nope, they can't do it.

What other "cheap old" 2 crew jets are there that can do 3000+nm range?

:dancing:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 09 Nov 2015, 22:57

Username Protected · **Posted:** 09 Nov 2015, 23:00

Username Protected wrote:

Warning! Unrealistic daydreams!

So I'm going to Argentina for work next week. And as usual, what always happens, I get another job right after it and they want me back in LA as soon as possible. So now it's a mad scramble to try to get a flight back in time. Might lose the whole job if I can't swing it in time. Yes, it's a luxury problem, but still a problem.

Hence the daydream.

So, what if I deputize the wife, make her get her PPL ME IR and we get an old Westwind II? That way I could get back to LA much quicker than doing it by airlines. From what I can see, it'll do about 2500nm non stop. Suckers can be had for about $250K, all in. But that got me thinking - 2500nm means 3 stops from Buenos Aires to LA. What if that could be reduced to 2 stops? If we're going 2 crew anyway, might as well get one with more range, no? So I started looking at Learjets. Nope, they can't do it.

What other "cheap old" 2 crew jets are there that can do 3000+nm range?

:dancing:

This has got to be one of the best solutions in search of a problem scenarios in a long time!

Sexy oldtimer jet...