Quick Links The initial days of Jet Commander Testing and certification Transfer of hands The IAI 1123 Westwind The IAI Astra
The Jet Commander, also known as 1121 Westwind, was developed by Aero Commander in the United States in the early 1960s. The manufacturer built the initial design as a twin-propeller namesake aircraft, which took to the skies for the first time in January 1963. Two GE CJ610 turbojet engines powered the type, each producing up to 3,100 lbf (14 kN) of thrust at takeoff. Following a comprehensive flight test campaign, the aircraft received its type certification in November 1964. First deliveries to customers began in early 1965.
Due to the American corporate laws at the time, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) acquired the Jet Commander program in 1968. In 1971, the IAI slightly stretched the original design and marketed it as 1123 Westwind. In 1976, the improved design was re-engined with two Garrett TFE732 turbofan engines, each producing 3,500-4,750 lbf (15.6-21.1 kN) of takeoff thrust. The re-engined version, 1124 Westwind, could carry up to 10 passengers. The type delivered excellent performance with lower operating costs. More than 440 examples of Jet Commanders were built between 1965 and 1987, and some of the initial aircraft were built in the United States.
According to the Little Aviation Museum,
"The Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander was among the first generation of executive jets produced from the early 1960s. Due to a business merger the Jet Commander became the IAI Westwind after 125 had been manufactured. Aero Commander began development of its twin-engine executive jet in 1961 to meet the needs of rapidly expanding business in the United States with many dispersed bases."
The twin-engine aircraft later transitioned into Gulfstream G100 and eventually became the basis of other Gulfstream business jets.
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Posts 1 The initial days of Jet Commander Exterior height: 15 ft 9 in Wingspan: 44 ft 9 in Length: 52 ft 3 in Crew: Two Passengers: 10 Max T/O Weight: 23,500 lb Empty Weight: 10,589 lb Fuel capacity: 1,097 gal Max Range: 2,392 NM Service Ceiling: 40,000 ft Rate of Climb: 5,000 fpm Max Speed: 469 knots Normal Cruise: 390 knots Engines: Two Engine Mfg: General Electric Engine Model: CJ610-1 Thrust per engine: 3,100 lbf (14 kN) Photo: Felix Goetting | Wikimedia Commons
Aero Commander, a US-based company, originally produced Jet Commander as a result of its development efforts toward a twin-propeller aircraft. After the successful testing of the test prototype, the production standard saw minor changes, including a 2.5-ft fuselage stretch and increased payload and maximum takeoff weight.
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Posts 2 Testing and certification
Following the first test flight of the production aircraft, the aircraft began the certification campaign with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA high altitude airport qualification tests were conducted in 1964. A total of eight test aircraft were built. A factory test pilot and FAA inspectors tested the aircraft registered with N612J. The test team spent ten days in April 1964 for high altitude acceptance tests. Most acceptance tests were performed at the Municipal Airport in Albuquerque. Photo: Pedro Aragão | Wikimedia Commons
Cavalcade of Wings states that the Chief Test Pilot for Jet Commander, Karl Keller, says that "all tests were entirely successful in meeting FAA requirements for approving the Jet for selling to the public."
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Posts Keller also showed the flight test conditions: The Commander Jet was tested at 16,000 gross weight conditions for performance on high-altitude runways. The plane with full gross weight could climb from sea level to 25,000 feet in just over four minutes. The economical cruise at 35,000 feet produces speeds of Mach 0.74 to 0.78 (525 to 535 mph). The Commander was flown at speeds up to Mach 0.96 with no buffeting or flutter, showing a robust design. Landing speeds enabled touchdown at approximately 95 knots with base leg speeds of 130 knots and final approach speeds of 110 knots. Full gross load takeoffs were achieved at under 2800 feet with full stop landings within feet from touchdown.
Following the issuance of the FAA certification, the first aircraft was delivered in January 1965.
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Posts 4 Transfer of hands
Shortly thereafter, the North American Rockwell acquired Aero Commander. Rockwell was already producing Sabriner, its own executive jet. While the new owner desired to produce Jet Commander simultaneously, antitrust laws in the United States prevented it from producing both aircraft at the same time. The company decided to sell rights to the Jet Commander, which was eventually purchased by IAI in 1968.
Photo: JetPix | Wikimedia Commons
According to the Little Aviation Museum,
"The merger of Rockwell (which owned Aero Commander) and North American put the Jet Commander in competition with the Sabreliner, so the Jet Commander was sold to IAI, which produced it as the IAI Westwind."
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Posts The IAI 1123 Westwind
After producing the original Jet Commander for the first two years after the acquisition of the program, it made significant changes to the design to create its own 1123 Westwind. Some of the major changes included:
The increased length of the fuselage Increased maximum takeoff weight Increased maximum landing weight Increased maximum zero fuel weight A modified wing with double-slotted flaps, drooped leading edges, and tip tanks New horizontal stabilizers with increased span and trim Improved Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines
From 1976, the Israeli manufacturer further modified the airframe of the Westwind, adding a dorsal fin and improved engine pylons and nacelles, to create the 1124 Westwind. Further increases to its weights (takeoff, landing, and zero-fuel) were made. In 1980, the IAI further modified the design to create Westwind II, adding a new wing center section and the addition of winglets to the tips of the wings. After a combined total of 442 aircraft (Jet Commanders and Westwinds), production ended in 1987.
Certified at Mach 0.8 Maximum cruise of 560 mph at 35,000 feet Maximum cruise of 570 mph at 40,000 feet The aircraft has a fuel capacity of 6,432 pounds Fuel consumption at cruise ranges from 1270 to 1470 pounds per hour The absolute range is approximately 2,000 miles The IAI Astra
By the time Westwind production ended, the IAI was already ahead in designing the successor to the Westwind, the 1125 Astra. The Astra was designed with six to nine seats, retaining very little of the original design. It features a brand-new swept wing that is low-set. The manufacturer increased fuselage dimensions both lengthwise and widthwise. A 20-inch longer nose section allowed more avionics to be accommodated.
The Astra took to the skies for the first time in March 1984. Thirty-two examples of the initial production design were built. IAI updated avionics and other aerodynamic characteristics to create the Astra SP, 37 of which were sold. In 1994, a slight upgrade to the design was made -- the adoption of TFE731 engines and winglets.
After 2001, the Astra SPX became the basis of the Gulfstream G100 and G200.
After the success of Astra SPX/G100s, 77 of which had been built, Gulfstream announced it would offer an improved version in the form of G-150. With a longer fuselage and a wider cabin, the G150 was later improved to make the G280, with a considerably larger wing, new interior, and improved Honeywell HTF7250 engines.
Since its first flight in December 2009, the jet remains in production as the smallest member of the Gulfstream production line. A range of upgraded Gulfstream jet models have been launched over the years. However, the original Jet Commander shares the looks and opulence of its larger and more advanced counterparts.
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