Photograph:
Learjet 31ER VH-OVX (c/n 31-033C) visiting Hamilton Island (Central Queensland Plane Spotting)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 3,500 lbst Garrett TFE731-2 Turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.36 m (43 ft 10 in)
- Length: 14.83 m (48 ft 8 in)
- Height: 3.73 m (12 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 24.57 m² (264.5 sq ft)
- Max speed Mach: 0.81
- Cruising speed: 829 km/h (515 mph)
- Stalling speed: 156 km/h (97 mph)
- Service ceiling 15,545 m (51,000 ft) rate of climb: 1,670 m/min (5,480 ft/min)
- Range with standard fuel: 3,021 km (1,877 miles)
- Empty weight: 4,471 kg (9,857 lb)
- Loaded weight: 7,031 kg (16,500 lb)
History:
The Learjet 31 is one of a series of business and executive jet aircraft produced by Learjet, which is a subsidiary of Bombardier Aerospace. The Model 31 followed the Model 29 on the production line and had a capacity of a crew of two and up to eight passengers. The prototype flew for the first time on 11 May 1987 and was replaced on the production line in October 1990 by the Model 31A. Later the Model 31ER with an extended range was introduced, this model having a range of 3,539 km (2,199 miles).
The Model 31 was introduced to the market and, in 1990, after 38 examples had been delivered, production moved to the Model 31A which had updated avionics, etc. In 2000 the design was revised, take-off and landing weights were altered and thrust reversers became standard. Operators have included the Government of Balochistan in Pakistan, NASA, the Ministry of Transportation in Indonesia and other Government bodies.
The Model 31 basically combined the fuselage and engines of the Models 35 and 36 with the wing fitted to the Models 28, 29 and 55, this providing outstanding performance, with cruising altitudes of 12,500 to 14,900 m (41,000 to 47,000 ft) with a max cruising altitude up to 15,500 m (51,000 ft). During production a number of changes were made to the design to increase performance and utility, including the addition of fins at the bottom of the fuselage.
An example arrived in Australia in late 2015. This aircraft was built in 1993 and became 9V-ATE in January 1996 and was used for training by Singapore Airlines. It was sold in 1999 and became N4310LJ. In January 2000 it became N158JS with Jet Service Charter Inc, and in 2003 it became N555VR with Victoria Racing Licensing City of Industry in California. It later became N55VR in September 2001 with WFBN and subsequent owners included Jet Air Corp and later again Cool Corp Ltd. In August 2008 it was registered to N55VR Corp of Wilmington, Delaware before being imported and becoming VH-OVX (c/n 31-033C) registered to D G Thomson Pty Ltd and operated by Shortstop Jet Charter Pty Ltd of Essendon VIC on 10 November 2015.
A further example, a Model 31A (c/n 144), became part of the fleet of Learjets owned by Astra Aerospace of Nowra, NSW on 5 April 2018, being operated by Gojet Pty Ltd also of Nowra.