Jetstar II info requested

[capnflyright]

I'd like to get the lowdown on the Jetstar II. Realistic range, operating costs, maintenance intervals/ability to get parts, trouble areas, fuel burn, performance on a 90-100 degree day and anything else you may want to throw in. Thank you for any helpful input.

 

[cezzna]

They still have a sim at FSI atlanta and claim to keep it busy. I don't know though, there aren't many left. Mostly they seem to hang out in Florida from what I've seen. Probably one of the few planes where DOC's will dwarf the actual payents on the airframe. With gas at six bucks a gallon I'm sure its a buyers market.

 

[Brett Hull]

They still have a sim at FSI atlanta and claim to keep it busy.

I'm' here right now, and I did a 17 day initial here last September and I've never seen them using that sim.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'd like to get the lowdown on the Jetstar II. Realistic range, operating costs

Lets see...4 731's on MSP are gonna run you a total of about 180 bucks an hour each:

engines = $780/hr

fuel burns to push that pig are prly 800 to 900 lbs an hour or so, each engine....

fuel = $2,000/hr

Ok, so, you're looking at just under 3 grand an hour before you even turn a wrench to maintain the beast.

Still time run away!

 

[LJ45]

wouldn't touch it unless it was on the way to a museum!

 

[capnflyright]

Thanks for the input guys. Here's the deal with the plane. We fly out of Dubai throughout the Middle East and ALL over Africa. The bossman wants the cheapest yet most capable airplane he can lay his hands on (we are presently flying a Viper Hawker around). We are supposedly able to purchase a Jetstar II that our mechanic has maintained in the last year or two and now the boss wants to buy this plane versus purchasing a GIIB/III. His big hangup now is that the Jetstar has 731s so stage III for Europe instead of the G's Speys. I know the IIB/III is a far more capable airplane and will do just about anything he wants with the exception of going beyond 3500nm. IIBs are running around 3-4 million it looks like, but I think a good one could be had for 3 mil. Does anyone have an idea of what the resale value of either of these planes will be like in a couple of years? I told him to buy something relatively cheap, run it out and then part it out (hard for me to say since I love airplanes and hate to see them torn apart). Thanks for your input

 

[ultrarunner]

Buy a GIII and hush it. Then at least you'll have something to sell in a few years.

 

[Mountain Troll]

I think the FAA is in the process with the manufacturer to form a mandatory AD that will require wing bolt mods and other parts that may be so restrictive that the fleet may be grounded. That needs to be your research focus ! I know the FAA usually doesn't work with a manufacturer on an AD, but you need to check out the parts availability of the AD requirements. They don't even have a kit made yet.

 

[Jetdriver69]

I flew a Jetstar II for about a year and parts can be a $ problem. Certain time replacement items are super expensive. Our aircraft with good engines, fresh annual, RVSM, TCAS, TAWS, tank and plank was almost worth more parted out than sold as a whole. The airplane is built like a tank, I believe it could take a missle and keep flying. Ours was very heavy, 44K MTOW with only a 1200 lb usefull load. Gas hog with ancient electrical system, good luck!

 

[X man]

jetstar II

capnfkyright
You would be making a huge mistake, I saw your aircraft in Dubai the other day, at EFS, I had not seen one of those Viper powered Hawker Siddly's since 1979. Your boss may be the nicest man in the world, but you need to lead him away from a Jetstar, they were great in their time, when fuel was 35 cents a gallon, and parts were available, but your would regret that pig out of Riyadh in July or August, along with Dubai. They say that all stage three iarcraft will be allowed only for another 2 years in Europe, final cut off date I am not sure of , this is from a 727 driver based in your location. Talk the guy into a old Falcon 50, or even an old Challenger. Perhaps even the Hawker 1000, thare are a few older models remaining.

The jetstar was like the corporate 707, and their are very few even running.

 

[capnflyright]

Thanks X man for your input. I totally agree on not getting the Jetstar II. The problem is the purchase price has him bedazzled. Our pilot/mechanic used to work on this specific jetstar for the past 13 years and he's able to get the plane for a great price. That being said and after working up a cost analysis between the 50, GIIB/III, Jetstar II, Sabre 65 and a GIV, he wants something he can just pay for and use the rest of his capital elsewhere. Hopefully he'll take some more time to think about all of this, but after making 3 stops tomorrow to get back to Dubai I think he'll be gung-ho to jump on the purchase. Thanks again for the insight everybody.

 

[capnflyright]

Does anyone have performance numbers for a Jetstar II on a 40-55C day? My guess is the numbers aren't available for a +40C day, but it would be nice to show the boss how limited we are in such conditions throughout the Middle East.

 

[bhazen]

I maintained 2 Jetstar II's for many years. It is a handfull to keep it running. Very antiquated electrical and avionics. Constant electrical problems from age related problems. Wires are showing abrasions and through and arc, popping breakers etc.. I would advise strongly to stay far away from a Jetstar. They were good in their day, but that is not the case now. They are good training aids for technical schools to work with. We called the jetstars " A thousand relays and selenoids flying in close formation" . HEADACHE!!!! The tank & plank inspection alone is a big deal and corrosion and cracks are not uncommon. Parts? Good luck finding quality, correctly overhauled or repaired parts. The deice boots need TLC to stop age cracks and cuts. Nose wheel steering corrosion is common. I could go on and on. There will be no resale value, just a tax deduction for donating the aircraft to some school or reef project. My 2 cents anyway. . .

 

[falconpilot]

I think the FAA is in the process with the manufacturer to form a mandatory AD that will require wing bolt mods and other parts that may be so restrictive that the fleet may be grounded. That needs to be your research focus ! I know the FAA usually doesn't work with a manufacturer on an AD, but you need to check out the parts availability of the AD requirements. They don't even have a kit made yet.

DITTO... Go for the Gulfstream. A late sn AC GIII would be a nice plane. Those engines don't care how hot it is outside.. One of them is just a few thrust lbs short of outpowering all 4 on the junkstar. I used to fly with a guy that would see one those people holding a sign up asking for money or food and he'd say... "Thats a retired Jetstar pilot." Hell, the fuel panel in the cockpit is enough to scare the hell out of you.

 

[CapnVegetto]

My old boss used to fly one, and he always spoke very highly of it. Great performance, amazing redundancy/safety factor, but operating costs through the ROOF.

 

[con-pilot]

I flew a 731 Jetstar years back and I have to admit it was one the, if not the best flying aircraft I have ever flown.

Now having said that, it was a maintenance nightmare. It had about a 20% mission completion record and this was 15 years ago with a full time maintenance crew. It loved runways, really, really long runways.

So rather than waste space here I'll just say that I agree with everybody else that posted on the problems of trying to operate a Jetstar II today.