And it's even local to you![ATTACH]
I actually have several hundred hours in Jet Commanders-- my first jet experience. Unfortunately, they are not legal to fly in the US any more... There might be a few running around South America, but I'm not even sure about that at this point. Fun airplane, sort of scary on takeoff, and you were always running out of fuel. I flew this one a few times... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes, this old article from 2013 lists that plane and only the GII and GIII jets look like modifications were available at that time to keep going. https://www.flightglobal.com/operators-face-scrapping-aircraft-as-faa-tightens-business-jet-noise-rules/110478.article
Yes, noise. There are hush kits available for the 20-series Learjets, which also use the CJ-610, so in theory it's possible but the cost to develop and flight test an STC would be prohibitive. And then, there is another problem: RVSM, which limits the airplane to flying below FL290 or above FL410, neither of which works well for the Jet Commander. Again, a solution could be developed but the cost to certify it would be prohibitive, and would almost certainly require a new autopilot, which is even more money. All of these issues were resolved for the 20-series Learjets, but they are a more viable airplane, even today. They are much better performers, sexier, more fun to fly... just more desirable. Someone is restoring Frank Sinatra's Learjet 23, for instance. No one is bothering with Arthur Godfrey's Jet Commander (does anyone even remember Arthur Godfrey?). Neil Armstrong set all sorts of records in a Learjet 28, which I believe is also potentially being restored. Again, nothing like that for the Jet Commander. The big issue for the Jet Commander was weight. The Learjet 24 that I flew had a maximum takeoff weight of something like 11,800 pounds. The Jet Commander had an EMPTY WEIGHT of over 10,000 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight of 18,500 pounds-- on the same engines!
If you look real hard, you can see me in the right seat trying to figure out the taxi directions at LAX... https://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Israel-Aircraft-Industries-IAI-1121A-Commodore-Jet/762135/L?qsp=eJwtjEEKwkAMRe%2BStZuCBelOL6ALLxAyn1qsnSEJ1qH07sbB3eM9eBtJXhwfv9cCGsjAKg86UGHll9Gw0RN1zZqCaen6/r1Gtax%2BqWESO84iKI7091dN0F%2BCSRuNMe4CoLfGdDqGT5OVmdsDztNM%2B/4FNzgulA%3D%3D
Still available Donv......and the price is getting right........ "Also this Private Jet for Sale 1966 AREO COMMANDER 1121 JET • $18,000 • ASKING PRICE SLASHED • 1966 Areo Commander Jet GE610 Twin Jet Needs Some Inspections Parked at Air Port, about 6000 Hours Very Clean, Not certified to Fly at this Time , Contact Nick Crosby 1-541-579-7501 cell or 541 689 7502 STOLEN LOGS, This Jet is located in St.louis Mo Soon they will pay you to ferry/tow it out in the dark of night.......
Somebody actually called the service center I use and asked about this airplane! I couldn't believe it. While I'm still convinced the ad is a scam, I did find a picture of old N234G in St Louis as of 2019... next time I'm there (probably next spring), I'll have to take a look. Looks like it is parked at the little air museum at St. Louis downtown airport. Originally sold new to Diamond Shamrock.
Commander may have flown over to another parking space; museum has upgraded to a newer larger 4-engine derelict........
If you're talking about the JetStar, that's been there for many, many years. I'm sure the Jet Commander didn't fly anywhere, but it might have been chopped up. How much is aluminum going for by the pound?
I would guess about 10,000 pounds in a Jet Commander. Maybe 9000. Empty weight, as I recall, was around 10,500 - 11,000 but obviously some of that is engines, avionics, interior, etc. Bring your Sawzall! I flew Jet Commander #7 to the smelter. Well, to the dismantler who was taking it to the smelter.
Well, I flew it on it's last flight. I assume they cut it up and trucked it to the smelter. N234G, the airplane that is the subject of this thread, is serial number 28 (I think?) and as far as I can tell, has not been melted down yet. But that is most likely in it's near future.
I have already investigated this idea; great novelty factor, but the hassle of permitting makes it impossible, even if you have the space.
Jet Commander is way too small for that sort of thing. A G-II might work, but even that is a bit on the small side. Need an airliner for that.