donv; lookin to trade up?

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...


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Why? Please.

 

Noise regulation I would guess.

 

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