Nice Alternative - Spirit Lear

[Swass]

Why aren't more people looking into these Lear 25's? Hell of a nice airplane for the money. I would choose this over a Citation any day of the week. Check out the comparison pages.

Here's the link

http://www.spirit-wing.com/index.html

What do you guys think?

 

[jetdriven]

in one year fuel savings pays for the conversion, plus you get RVSM and twice the range. I thought they would convert every 24-25 flying.

 

[Snakum]

Hey Swass ... is the turbo prop getting a little slow for you?

Minh
(I want to be Swass when I grow up.)

(IF I grow up)

 

[Swass]

Snakum,
Conquest has been sold, I merged my company with another and they already operate a couple of CJ's.

 

[Snakum]

Do you get to drive the CJs ... either seat?

I got to ride along in one once (Older CJ). Thought it was way cool, but I was used to Skyhawks, so even a Bananza was cool back then.

Actually ... a Bonanza still is.

Minh

 

[coolyokeluke]

I just ferried a 9000 hour Lear 25 to the boneyard two weeks ago. That's too young for that airframe, the Spirit program would've been a good fit for it.

 

[mzaharis]

There's a discussion in the corporate section, as well.

I looked at the comparison specs, and noticed the engine-out climb rate and climb gradient. I wonder if this would translate to a high pucker factor on engine-out on takeoff situations, especially at altitude.

http://www.spirit-wing.com/comparisons/comparisons.pdf

FAR 25 Eng-Out Rate - 321 FPM
FAR 25 Engine Out Gradient - 259ft/NM

I don't fly these things, so I don't know if these are bad numbers.

 

[leardrivr]

There's a discussion in the corporate section, as well.

I looked at the comparison specs, and noticed the engine-out climb rate and climb gradient. I wonder if this would translate to a high pucker factor on engine-out on takeoff situations, especially at altitude.

http://www.spirit-wing.com/comparisons/comparisons.pdf

FAR 25 Eng-Out Rate - 321 FPM
FAR 25 Engine Out Gradient - 259ft/NM

I don't fly these things, so I don't know if these are bad numbers.

Nope those numbes are about right. We were looking at the convesion a couple of years ago and saw the same numbers. We figured with the rising fuel cost, RVSM, and other operating costs. We would about break even on the deal with the first set of motors. So should we give up the climb performance of the
CJ-610's. FARK THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Corona]

Why aren't more people looking into these Lear 25's? Hell of a nice airplane for the money. I would choose this over a Citation any day of the week. Check out the comparison pages.

Here's the link

http://www.spirit-wing.com/index.html

What do you guys think?

I thought it was a pretty rad idea too, until I talked to an experienced Lear pilot. His point: You're still dealing with a 30 year-old airframe, with all the implied issues there.

However, I understand Spirit has also redone some of the systems; hydraulic and others, so maybe they've put some more life into the type. Also, as previous posters mentioned, the 25 is a solid airframe. Good to see it getting a second wind.

C

 

[Rick1128]

One of the prime issues is the aircraft age and the cost. A 25+ y.o. airframe and $2M+. Plus by the time you upgrade the avionics, paint and interior, you are talking in the middle serial number Lear 31 price range. Much better performance.