The IAI Westwind is a business jet that was initially designed and produced by Aero Commander as the 1121 Jet Commander.
Developed as a jet-powered derivative of the successful preceding Aero Commander 500, the prototype made its maiden flight on 27 January 1963. Powered by a pair of GE CJ610turbojets, the initial production model of the aircraft received type certification on 4 November 1964 and the first deliveries took place two months later. As a consequence of North American Rockwell's purchase of Aero Commander, the programme was promptly sold onto Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in 1968. In addition to continuing to produce the Westwind, IAI committed to the further development of the type. It was stretched slightly to create the 1123 Westwind, and subsequently re-engined with Garrett TFE731turbofans to produce the 1124 Westwind. 442 aircraft were completed before production was terminated in 1987 in favour of the IAI Astra, a derivative of the Westwind.
The largest model of the aircraft, which had a 16,800–23,500lb (7.6–10.7t)MTOW, can carry up to ten passengers. The ovoid shape of its fuselage permitted the cabin to be larger while its low-mounted door was particularly useful to aeromedical operators. While possessing a fairly orthodox arrangement for a business jet, one unusual feature was its mid-mounted wings, which lessened the impact of turbulence. The wing is usually equipped with tip tanks; when combined with auxiliary fuel tanks, the Westwind is capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean or the continental United States without any fuel stops and is the only light jet capable of such range. The Seascan, a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft variant of the aircraft, was operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) for several decades.
Early 1121 Jet Commanders are powered by thin CJ610 turbojets, and they have five starboard and three or four port windows.Later 1123 Westwinds are stretched by 22in (56cm), they have tip tanks, and six starboard and five port windows.The 1124 Westwind is powered by two larger Garrett TFE731 turbofans, the Sea Scan maritime patrol aircraft of the Israeli Air Force has a nose radome and additional aerials.The 1124A Westwind 2 has winglets on the tip tanks.
Origins
The Westwind was originally designed in the United States by Aero Commander as a jet-powered derivative of its twin-propeller namesake aircraft. The prototype performed its maiden flight on 27 January 1963, being initially known as the Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander. Following initial testing of this prototype, it was modified to production standard, which included the addition of 2.5 ft to the fuselage length and increased payload and maximum weights. The second prototype first flew on 14 April 1964 and was followed by the first production aircraft in November 1964. Type certification of the aircraft was received by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November of that year, enabling the first customer delivery to take place on 11 January 1965.
Shortly after deliveries of the aircraft commenced, Aero Commander was acquired by North American Rockwell. However, the Jet Commander posed an issue for this acquisition, since Rockwell were already selling an executive jet of its own design, the Sabreliner; due to antitrust laws, the company could not continue to keep both aircraft in production. Therefore, the company decided to sell off the rights to the Jet Commander; consequently, in 1968, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) purchased the programme, after which it was rebranded as the Westwind.
Under Israel Aircraft Industries
Jet Commander production amounted to 150 aircraft in the United States and Israel before IAI undertook a series of modifications to create the 1123 Westwind. These included stretching the fuselage and increasing maximum takeoff, maximum landing, and maximum zero-fuel weights, with the wing modified to incorporate double-slotted flaps and drooped leading edges and tip tanks. The trimmable horizontal stabiliser was also modified to have increased span and more travel. Not long after the aircraft went into production, the original General Electric CJ610 turbojet engines were replaced by more fuel-efficient Garrett TFE731turbofans. Numerous airframe modifications also were made, such as drooped leading edges on the wings, a dorsal fin, revised engine pylons and nacelles, and further increases in maximum takeoff, maximum landing, and maximum zero-fuel weights. With improvements to a number of onboard systems incorporated, as well, these changes resulted in the 1124 Westwind, deliveries of which commenced in 1976.
In 1980, deliveries of the improved Model 1124A commenced; modifications included a new wing centre-section and the addition of winglets to the tips. This revamped aircraft, called the Westwind II, promptly replaced the original model in production. IAI constructed the final Westwind in 1987, after a total of 442 Jet Commanders and Westwinds had been built, after which production was switched to a newer derivative aircraft, the IAI Astra.
Design
The Jet Commander/Westwind is of a broadly conventional arrangement for a business jet, typically being powered by a pair of turbofan engines mounted in nacelles carried on the rear fuselage aft of the rear bulkhead to lower cabin noise. Somewhat atypical for an aircraft of this class is the mounting of its wings at the mid-point of the fuselage (instead of the more common low-wing arrangement); this configuration reduces the impact of turbulence and makes the aircraft smoother in-flight. The wing is usually equipped with tip tanks, which can function as sponsons in the event of a water landing. The Westwind also possesses a strong short-field landing capability. At FL310 and Mach0.74 (434kn; 804km/h), the 1124 burns 1,600lb (730kg) per hour, and 1,200lb (540kg) at Mach0.7 (411kn; 761km/h). When outfitted with auxiliary fuel tanks, the range of the aircraft can be increased to 2,900 nautical miles, which made the Westwind the only light jet capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean or the continental United States without needing to refuel.
The Westwind has a relatively spacious cabin, which was partially attributable to the design of its fuselage; specifically, it had ovoid shape, rather than a pure oval. The cabins of most models can be configured to comfortably carry up to eight passengers; options such as a three-place divan are also available. Cabin refurbishment packages are available for the type. The aircraft is furnished with a relatively low-mounted door, which has proven to be particularly attractive to aeromedical operators as it eases the loading and unloading of patients. The aircraft also has a sizable baggage compartment and a lavatory aft of the cabin. Pilots have reported instances of corrosion between the deicing boots and the leading edge of the wing, as well as along the aircraft's underside. Furthermore, rough or heavy landings of the aircraft risk damage to the fuel cells, which causes fuel leaks.
At the time of its first flight, the Westwind was provisioned with a relatively advanced cockpit for the era, being equipped with both analogue and early digital flight instrumentation. Later models have been furnished with newer avionics suites, either to increase operational efficiency or for regulatory compliance; avionics upgrade packages have also been produced for existing aircraft.
By 2018, a 1980s-era Westwind 1124s was typically priced from $300,000 to $700,000. The sustained low price for used examples of the type makes it relatively affordable to acquire, but allegedly puts off owners from investing into avionics upgrades or other improvements.
↑Improved drooped leading edge, added dorsal fin, new pod and pylon shapes, new wheel well fairing...
↑winglets on the wing tip tanks, New leading edge profile
The 1122 Type Certificate was cancelled, the two airplanes manufactured have been converted to model 1123.
The 1124N Sea Scan is a maritime surveillance aircraft, and the 1124 was renamed Westwind I after the introduction of the 1124A Westwind II.
The 1121C is an unofficial designation for 1121 aircraft modified under a Supplemental Type Certificate with an increased all-up weight available from 1971.[citation needed]
The 1123 Westwind was stretched by 22in (56cm).
The Rockwell 1121 had 21 hull-loss accidents causing 45 fatalities, and the IAI 1124 had 25 hull-loss accidents causing 47 fatalities.
On 14 November 1970, an Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander operated by Royal Crown Cola Corp. impacted terrain at a steep angle during a missed approach procedure possibly caused by spatial disorientation, low ceiling and rain. Both occupants were killed.
On 25 September 1973, a Rockwell 1121B Jet Commander (N200RC) owned by Continental Jet Corp. was damaged beyond repair in a hangar fire.
On 15 December 1993, a chartered IAI Westwind business jet carrying two flight crew members and three passengers (including Rich Snyder, president of In-N-Out Burger), crashed while on approach to John Wayne Airport. All five occupants were killed in the crash. The aircraft, which departed Brackett Field, 30 miles to the north in La Verne, followed a Boeing 757 for landing, became caught in the 757's wake turbulence, rolled into a deep descent, and crashed near the intersection of State Route 55 and Edinger Avenue. The crash investigation led to the FAA requirement for an adequate period between heavy aircraft and following light aircraft to allow wake turbulence to diminish.
On 27 April 1995, a Pel-Air IAI 1124 Westwind operating a cargo flight from Tindal Airport crashed into the Ilparpa Range while attempting an instrument approach for runway 12, killing the two pilots and a company passenger.
On 8 November 2002: An IAI 1124A Westwind, registration number N61RS, crashed during an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, killing both pilots. The accident was attributed to "The pilot's inadvertent flight into mountain wave weather conditions while IMC, resulting in a loss of aircraft control."
On 2 July 2004, an IAI Westwind operated by Air Tek crashed after takeoff and eventually came to rest inside an empty hangar. All six occupants were killed, along with an airport worker on the ground.
On 18 June 2014, an IAI Westwind corporate aircraft crashed upon takeoff, killing all three on board.
On 29 March, 2020, an air ambulance operated by Lionair, caught fire and exploded during take off at Manila Airport, killing all five passengers and three crew.
Specifications (1124A Westwind II)
IAI Westwind II
Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: seven passenger in a typical configuration, up to 10 passengers in a high-density configuration / 1,474kg (3,250lb) maximum payload
Length: 15.93m (52ft 3in)
Wingspan: 13.65m (44ft 9in) , 13.16m (43ft) excluding tip tanks
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