True enough about the need to be on proper speed. Too fast at altitude or too slow in the flare is where all the accidents happened. It was an awful lot of airplane especially back in the day where training was very rudimentary. (shall I even dare say non existent for some operators) Plus the airplane demanded avery light touch. People got in trouble over controlling, especially in the flare. Best advice I got as a newbie on the airplane was to fly it like a helicopter, finger tip pressure only. True in any aircraft but especially so in Mr Lear's special ride.

The old style EPR gauges were especially cool, how they would spin up or down crazily as the engines spooled.


The 24 was like an old Porsche 911 I had. Basic technology, very little in the way of creature comforts or ergonomics. Just a big ass engine on a little frame. A bit squirrelly, especially at the limits, but drop dead gorgeous and it appealed to all the senses. Never failed to bring a smile to my face when driving.

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, that's how I would describe some old girlfriends.

As for being constantly min fuel: The most worn switch on the airplane was the toggle to go back and forth to see fuel remaining on each tank. For some guys, it was a nervous habit to scan the fuel tank gauge.