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The IAI Westwind is a business jet that has a long and interesting history. It was born in the United States as the Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander, a jet-powered version of the twin-propeller Aero Commander aircraft. It made its first flight on January 27, 1963, and entered service in 1965 after receiving its type certification.

However, in 1968, the Jet Commander program was sold to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), which renamed it as the Westwind. IAI made several improvements to the aircraft, such as adding winglets, increasing fuel capacity, and upgrading the engines. The Westwind became a popular choice for business and executive travel, as well as for special missions such as air ambulance and maritime patrol. It could carry up to 10 passengers and had a range of over 4,000 km1.

The Westwind was produced until 1987, when it was replaced by the more advanced IAI Astra. In total, IAI built 442 Westwinds of various models, some of which are still flying today. The Westwind is a remarkable example of how an aircraft can evolve and adapt to different markets and needs over time.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 7 pax normal (maximum 10) / 1,474 kg (3,250 lb) maximum payload
• Length: 15.93 m (52 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 13.65 m (44 ft 9 in) , 13.16 m (43 ft) excluding tip tanks
• Height: 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 28.64 m² (308.3 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 6.51
• Airfoil: IAI 54-12 (Sigma 1 modified)
• Empty weight: 4,536 kg (10,000 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,660 kg (23,501 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 4,345 kg (9,579 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Honeywell TFE731-3-1G turbofan engines, 16.46 kN (3,700 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Cruise speed: 723 km/h (449 mph, 390 kn) economical at 11,890–12,500 m (39,009–41,010 ft)
• Stall speed: 184 km/h (114 mph, 99 kn) at maximum landing weight, flaps down, engines idling
• Never exceed speed: 868 km/h (539 mph, 469 kn) at 8,840 m (29,003 ft)
• Range: 4,430 km (2,750 mi, 2,390 nmi) 10 pax, 5,385 km (3,346 mi; 2,908 nmi) with maximum fuel and four passengers
• Service ceiling: 13,725 m (45,030 ft)
• Rate of climb: 25.4 m/s (5,000 ft/min) at sea level
• Wing loading: 372 kg/m² (76 lb/sq ft)
• Thrust/weight: 0.31
• Take-off balanced field length: 1,600 m (5,249 ft)
• Landing run from 15 m (49 ft): 747 m (2,451 ft) at maximum landing weight