20 Series Learjets...?
06-28-2009, 03:37 PM
#11
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,091
Originally Posted by WorldTraveler
III,
I flew early models of the Lear. (except for the 23) The 25 was a bit of a tub. We had two 24's. One had the Mk 2 wing with the small engines that was fairly sedate. The other 24 had the larger (-6 ?) engines with the original straight wing. OMG! What a screamer. We never gave passengers the choice. It was always an airplane ride :-)
If memory serves, lightly loaded we could do sea level to 410 in about 12 minutes.
I flew early models of the Lear. (except for the 23) The 25 was a bit of a tub. We had two 24's. One had the Mk 2 wing with the small engines that was fairly sedate. The other 24 had the larger (-6 ?) engines with the original straight wing. OMG! What a screamer. We never gave passengers the choice. It was always an airplane ride :-)
If memory serves, lightly loaded we could do sea level to 410 in about 12 minutes.
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. ???
06-28-2009, 06:45 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 276
Originally Posted by III Corps
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. ???
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. ???
06-29-2009, 02:51 PM
#14
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,091
Originally Posted by wizepilot
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!
07-02-2009, 04:34 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 134
Originally Posted by III Corps
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. ???
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. ???
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.
07-02-2009, 11:00 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,091
Originally Posted by WorldTraveler
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.
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.
Still, though. The most beautiful airplane I've ever flown and the source of my best hangar flying lies, errrrr, I mean stories.
07-02-2009, 11:02 AM
#20
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,091
Originally Posted by leardriver
If I could afford it. I would have one parked in my driveway!
I miss her.
I miss her.
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.
