IAI Westwind
- CountryIsrael
- TypeSmall to mid size corporate jet
- Powerplants1123 - Two 13.8kN (3100lb) General Electric CJ6109 turbojets. 1124A - Two 16.5kN (3700lb) Garrett TFE7311100G turbofans.
- Performance1123 - Max cruising speed 870km/h (470kt), economical cruising speed 755km/h (408kt). Initial rate of climb 4040ft/min. Service ceiling 45,000ft. Max range 3410km (1840nm), range with max payload 2575km (1390nm). 1124A - Max speed 868km/h (469kt), economical cruising speed 723km/h (390kt). Range with max payload and reserves 4430km (2390nm), range with four passengers and max fuel 5385km (2905nm).
- Weights1123 - Operating empty 5330kg (11,750lb), max takeoff 9390kg (20,700lb). 1124A - Operating empty 6010kg (13,250lb), max takeoff 10,660kg (23,500lb).
- Dimentions1123 - Wing span 13.65m (44ft 5in), length 15.93m (52ft 3in), height 4.81m (15ft 10in). Wing area 28.6m2 (308.3q ft). 1124A - Same.
- CapacityFlightcrew of two. Standard seating for seven in typical corporate layout, max seating for 10. Many configured as freighters.
- ProductionWestwind production ceased in 1987 after more than 250 were built, of which 36 were turbojet powered. 25 1123s and 244 1124s in service at late 1998.
The IAI Westwind has turned into one of the examples of overcoming adversity of the little yet compelling Israeli flight industry.
The Westwind began life as the Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander or Commodore Jet, a General Electric Cj610 turbojet controlled little official plane focused around Aero Commander's effective cylinder and turboprop twin line. The initial 1121 flew on January 2 1963, with conveyances of generation airplane from ahead of schedule 1965. However North American Rockwell right away subsequently gained Aero Commander, and as it was at that point fabricating the Sabreliner (portrayed under Rockwell), the Jet Commander line must be sold off on account of antitrust laws. Accordingly the configuration and generation rights for the Jet Commander were sold to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in 1968.
IAI finished creation of the 1121 Commodore Jets (all out US/Israeli generation was 150) preceding creating the 1123 Westwind with an extended fuselage permitting seating for 10 travelers. The Westwind first flew in September 1970. Thirty-six turbojet fueled 1123s were assembled before creation exchanged to the Garrett Tfe731 turbofan controlled 1124 (known as the Westwind I from 1981), the first of which were conveyed in mid 1976. The 1124n Sea Scan was affirmed in 1976 and is a radar prepared oceanic watch and observation subordinate.
Improvement of the essential 1124 prompted the 1124a Westwind 2 with enhanced hot and superior, better efficiency and more extend. Conveyed from May 1980, progressions over the 1124 incorporated a changed wing area, winglets, level lodge floor and other inner part changes. Generation stopped in 1987 for the 1125 Astra (depicted independently under Galaxy Aerospace).
Pictures of IAI Westwind
