Our -23 was an early one and the autopilot NEVER worked. NEVER. So we hand flew it all the time.

We had a -24 for a while and a -25. You're right about the -25 compared to the others but still at its time, they were all screamers.

I've told this before but an old copilot of mine went with American and ferried a 767 out of ORD one winter night with fuel to dest and reserve, nothing else. About 8 minutes from brake release to FL410. That would outrun not only most of the bizjets but also many of the early jet fighters.. all while having a cup of coffee and sitting on a soft seat.

There are a few -24s in and out of PDK including one all BLACK one. ???

It can't be ALL black. They made Hugh Hefner repaint his DC9 years ago from all black to a very dark blue because the FAA said the controllers could not see it at night (Hah!). What about the bunny logo on the tail that was always illuminated at night? Gotta love em!

I know i've seen the WWE's all black Challenger, with the logo on the tail.....

i think they have a waiver. :D

This it?

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4871/dsc8518.jpg

Yep. the same.

Taxiing in today there was a 25B at Atlantic. One of Connie's; 818CK.

Yeah, I forgot about the old autopilots. The one in our hot rod 24 didn't work either. Years later, I flew for an airline where one of the captains was on old time non autopilot lear guy. He'd make all the copilots hand fly the airplane just like he had to in his early lear days. I, being a fellow lear jet fraternity member, was allowed use of the A/P. :)

You're right about the performance of modern twin jet airliners. amazing capabilities but without the "Fear Jet" factor. tell ya' the truth, after 3000 hours in Lears I was glad to get out of the airplane. Flying it was like balancing a broomstick on your finger and we were constantly min fuel everywhere. :(

Still, though. The most beautiful airplane I've ever flown and the source of my best hangar flying lies, errrrr, I mean stories.

If I could afford it. I would have one parked in my driveway! :D

I miss her.

Yes.. almost always landing with a few hundred pounds. The low level lights came on around 300/side if I remember.

Anyway, we used to fly Jimmy out of Plains and often deadheaded down to Plains from KPDK. We would often fly the 106NM in a climb to FL410 and pull the throttles to idle. At first Atlanta center would ask and then they went with the game.

It was not as challenging as some make it out to be. Just be on speed and things were fine. And the CJ610s were very responsive. But to think almost 35yrs ago we were running around at FL410-FL450 still boggles the mind.

You must have on LONG driveway. :D

And yes, it is one I would like to revisit just like going back and doing a few sorties in the T-37, the T-38 and the 727. I really enjoyed all of those.