Country of origin:

Israel

Description:

Business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 3,700 lbst Garrett AiResearch TFE731-3 turbofans

Specifications:

History:

Designed by the Aero Commander company in the United States of America (USA) as a jet executive transport to augment its range of business and executive aircraft, the first of two Aero Commander 1121 prototypes was flown for the first time on 27 January 1963, followed by the second prototype on 14 April 1964. Deliveries of production aircraft began in January 1965.  Powered by two General Electric CJ-610-1 turbojets, and seating a crew of two and seven passengers, the 1121 Jet Commander proved to be reasonably successful. However, after a short time, the large North American organisation took over the Aero Commander company and, because that company already had a successful business aircraft in production, ie the Sabreliner, the design for the Jet Commander and all manufacturing rights were sold to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).

IAI then commenced to re-design and develop the aircraft, and, after manufacturing two Model 1122s, production of the Westwind 1123 was commenced. This model featured a lengthened fuselage capable of accommodating a maximum of ten passengers, and was flown for the first time on 28 September 1970. Thirty-six of this model had been built when production changed to the Model 1124, the prototype of which was flown on 21 July 1975. The Model 1124 only differed slightly from the Model 1123, the main difference being the installation of new technology turbofan engines.

Development of the type continued for some time, and in 1981 it underwent a name change, the Model 1124 becoming known as the Westwind I. Further development led to the Westwind II, a longer-range derivative of the Westwind I with high efficiency aerofoil ‘winglets’ attached to the wingtip tanks, and various other refinements. Westwind production concluded in 1987 when some 250 examples had been completed.

Westwinds which have operated in this region have included: Model 1124s VH-AJS (c/n 221) destroyed at Alice Springs on 28 April 1995; VH-AJP (c/n 238); VH-AJJ (c/n 248); VH-AJK (c/n 256); VH-AJQ/VH-AJG (c/n 281); VH-AJV (c/n 282); VH-IWW (c/n 314) exported as N2454M; VH-ASR (c/n 316) exported as N93KE; VH-AYI/VH-JPW/VH-UUZ/VH-KNU (c/n 317); VH-KNW (c/n 323); VH-WWY (c/n 325) exported as N504V; VH-SQH/VH-LOF (c/n 366) exported as N388GA; VH-IWJ (c/n 371) which was lost in an accident near Botany Bay on 10 October 1985; and VH-KNJ (c/n 381) exported as N501U.

Model 1124As VH-BCL/VH-NJW (c/n 315) exported as N315TR; VH-NGA (c/n 387); VH-SGY/VH-APU (c/n 395 – ex N95WW, 4X-CUC) which was operated in Queensland with “Bureau of Emergency Services” painted on the aircraft and which was exported as N395SR; and VH-JJA (c/n 409) exported as 4X-CUM.

Model 1125SP VH-FIS (c/n 045), which was exported as N88CH.  Model 1125SPX VH-WSM (c/n 123).

In April 2005 a Westwind II ZK-RML (ex N90KC) was obtained by Air National Corporate Ltd of Auckland.

Operators of the type have included: Pel Air Aviation; Amann Aviation; Wings Australia; Jet Charter Airlines; Peldale Pty Ltd; Transecutive Airlines Pty Ltd; Pearl Aviation Australia; Canberra Jet Charter; Mines Transportation Pty Ltd; CRA Services Pty Ltd; Associated Airlines Pty Ltd; Bougainville Copper Ltd; Woodger Aviation Pty Ltd; Norfolk Airlines Pty Ltd; Capital Aviation; Association Building Supplies Pty Ltd; Barclay Bros Pty Ltd; Neabul Pty Ltd; Shortstop Jet Charter Pty Ltd; Mt Newman Mining Company Pty Ltd; BHP Iron Ore Pty Ltd; Resources Jet Charter; BCL Services Pty Ltd; National Jet Systems Pty Ltd; Bureau of Emergency Services QLD; and the Queensland Government Air Wing.