Just got the OK from my business partner to get serious about a jet. We have customers and potential customers all around the US and just signed a big one out east that we'll need to visit probably 3X a year. I don't need to carry many pax but ing non-stop in important. I'm a big guy 6'5" #225 and may not fit in a lear as well as I remember (I was 195 back then). I enjoy using the KA for personal use and we usually fill it up and go somewhere but I don't want to spec the airplane based on personal needs (even though the biz is fine with all the personal use I want).

I'm leaning towards a Citation V but I talked to Theo and the Lear 35 sounds cool too (I spent maybe 150 hours in the 35 as SIC in the early 80's). Once I opened up the two pilot possibilities (35 requires 2), I started looking at other possibilities and the Astra popped up. What an airplane! 2500 miles range, .85MMO, 731 powered, decent hot & high performance, separate potty, real galley with an oven and cheaper than a C-V. Non-stop NY-LAX even in big headwinds. they say 1500PPH/max cruise - a KA is 600PPH but the Astra is 200kts faster. Most say "call" but it looks like they are available for well under $2MM.

The Astra is very narrow, and someone your size would likely not be comfortable in it.

You also won't make NY to LA in big headwinds. I have about 1,200 hours in the Astra SP and I'd say we stopped about 30% of the time. And almost always, the east to west trip is done at Mach .74.

1500 PPH is realistic.

The Astra is made in Israel and although in theory is supported by Gulfstream, the support is very poor as it all circles back to Israel. Resale value is also quite poor.

I've read the Astra has the option of an extra fuel tank and the expense of some baggage space.

I love the Astra. Read a lot about them. I have never been in one. What about the Gulfstream 100 or 150?

If you're gonna go the 2 pilot route, I think it's hard not just buy an XLS an call it.

Yes, the Astra can have "extension tanks" installed in the luggage. Almost all of them have them installed. Without the extension tanks, the range is only about 2,000 nm.

The G100 is the same as an Astra. It is theoretically only the name used for the late serial numbered Astra SPX models, however it seems to be used in the marketplace for all Astra aircraft.

Do the later "Gulfstream" 100 models have better factory support? There are a couple nice 2006 models listed.

How much different is the 150? Looks like the same fuselage but with and updated front end.

I believe the 150 made the 100 airframe a true Gulfstream much like the 280 did with the 200.

At 6'5" you'll bust your head getting in the door a few times at the beginning of your ownership.

Do the later "Gulfstream" 100 models have better factory support? There are a couple nice 2006 models listed.

How much different is the 150? Looks like the same fuselage but with and updated front end.

Sort of. The G150 isn't a true Gulfstream. It's purely an IAI production. With the G280, Gulfstream sent engineers over to Israel to help with development. So while everything is still made in Israel, support should in theory be more plentiful.

John,

Our flight department ran Astra and SPX and loved the speed and range. Kind of a dog above FL370, wanders around in pitch and roll - almost like a V-tail bonanza; the old chief pilot went everywhere at .85! he loved it more than the Challenger 300/ 350 that replaced the Astra.

Couple MX issues to watch for : water in the wing and center keel, tail shake with TR application ,however, those issues were fixed in most of the fleet by mid 2000s.

Both airplanes were operated of a 4300ft runway with no issues. If was buying one now would have to be a higher s/n bird.

The TFE-731 are bullet proof no problems and great support. Gulf Stream in Sav and PBI great to work with.

Regards,
Nigel

I flew an SP for several years, and thought it was a great aircraft. Very reliable, supported well by General Dynamics/GulfStream at the time I flew it. Fast as a scalded cat, .855 Mmo, 363Kt Vmo. We climbed at 275-300 kias, cruised at .84, descended at 300-350 in the transition. 2000lbs first hour, then 1600, then 1500. Easy airplane to fly, low workload. Loved the plane. We flew it out of a very cold climate and it was still very reliable. We often filled the seats, and it was a little cramped, but with just a couple pax, very comfortable.

To Jason's comment about the Excel, I'm currently flying an Excel, and it is a pooch. We get yelled at frequently for being in the way. Climbs at 220-250, cruise at .74. It's embarrassing some days. It does have a nice cabin though and goes straight up to 410.

I think the Astra would be a great personal airplane; long range, fast, easy to fly, relatively cheap to buy for a midsize jet. I think they're a great bargain.

In the interest of full disclosure, an Astra or Astra SP will be extremely range limited out of 4300'. The SPX slightly less so.

Other issues .. Flap/slat issues, TFE-731 carbon seals, trailing link corosion, tail jackscrew inspection status, poor quality engine starter/generators that don't make overhaul (1000 hours). I wouldn't exactly describe the 731s as bullet proof, bwthdik?

What a cool exploration to embark on

I have nothing useful to add other than there's a 1982 model 1124 Westwind in your neck of the woods that looks nice. I think in gunnison.

What's the deal with the 1124 guys?

John - you are talking about a completely different Balance Sheet here. I don't have enough info to give an intelligent opinion specific to the Astra, but I would think the purchase price is only the beginning of a long list of enormous expenses - fuel, training, crews, maintenance, certification, etc.... If your business can support it, that is fantastic, but I think this is the territory where a fractional may make more sense.

Mitchell,

They didn't operate at max gross out of the 4300 ft, the international airport is 4 nm away with a 8900 ft runway. Yeah issues with the flaps/slat locking and having to replace all the actuators, for us the engines when compared to the airframe gave no real troubles.

Nigel

I've got quite a bit of time in a Westwind I n II. They were a lot of bang for the buck back in the 90's when I flew them. The Astra is a highly refined version of the Westwind. As much as I make fun of the Westwind I think it was a great value and the Astra's in the same market now. Get ready for the Israel jokes...