Please Help Identify This Lear Photo

[User546]

I ran across this photo on the web, and was curious what the big pod-looking contraption was on the bottom of the lear. Never seen anything like this before, and it doesn't appear to be photoshopped.

Anyone seen this before, or have any other ideas?

Link to Photo Below:
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/photoessay/0,18467,607189-4,00.html

 

[Flywrite]

It kinda looks like a SLAR installation. Maybe for mapping or something. The FAA site shows the plane registered to Wells Fargo bank, so I guess it's leased.

IMHO it does look like the photo has been doctored, but either way it's an interesting looking lear.

 

[Crizz]

Could it have been modified to gain another foot of headroom in the passenger cabin?

 

[Crizz]

As per FAA Registry...


Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer: GARRETT
Classification: Restricted
Engine Model: TFE 731 SER
Category: Aerial Surveying

A/W Date 03/02/1997




Weeeeeeird

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Saw one in New Orleans last month. Line guys told me it was for contour mapping. Government contract I beleive.

I guess it is for making topographical maps.

 

[G100driver]

I would be more concerned with the moronic quote that went with the picture.

 

[FracCapt]

Also notice the nose gear doors are partially open....and the terrain beyond the airplane is in perfect focus, as is the airplane itself....doctored photo..

 

[Otter]

Wells Fargo holds the paper, Intermap out of Canada shows as the operator. Records say it is a Lear 36 doing topo work.

 

[crash-proof]

I would be more concerned with the moronic quote that went with the picture.

d@mn right!

"On Lear Jets - More executives have died in Lear jets than in the entire history of the United States in wars. "

 

[BoilerUP]

...because we all know "executives" don't fight in wars.


What a f**kin' ignorant "journalist". The 23 year old liberal arts school graduates that write this stuff kill me. All they have to do is ask and they can get the facts...

 

[Flyboy Sabre 65]

Stupid Quotes

You should have read the moronic column in my local paper from the new york times. It's quote"that traveling by private plane is much riskier." This quote is from David L Yermack, an associate professor of finance at New York University. I would like to know were these people get there information. I'm really thinking about writing a nasty letter to my local paper and the New York Times for publishing something so stupid and totally lacking true facts!!!!!

I should probably have started my own thread for this one. But, I'm just really pissed at the bad press we as an industry are getting.

Ok, done venting for now!

 

[Crizz]

It had to be a journalistic hayday for this guy.. report that a bunch of Big Mean Executivies kicked the bucket, and a Big Bad Gas Guzzling SUV of an airplane was to blame.


Double whammy!

 

[Mav204]

According to Jetnet.com

Intermap Technologies, Inc.
736 8th Avenue Southwest, Suite 1000
Calgary, AB T2P 1H4
Canada
www.intermaptechnologies.com

 

[Tinpusher]

That "Moronic quote" belongs to none other than The Donald himself. Quite appropriate.

 

[cvoav8r]

AH guys it is rather f!@%$king obvious. it IS A pregnant Lear 35. My qestion is who do you think the father is. Now don't you feel stupid!

 

[G100driver]

AH guys it is rather f!@%$king obvious. it IS A pregnant Lear 35. My qestion is who do you think the father is. Now don't you feel stupid!

Of course. Where do you think Lear 60's come from.

 

[Gatorman]

Pilots...sheesh

ummm....yes, i do believe it is a doctored photo, otherwise the thing would not be able to land.
From my mechanis's perspective....it would have to have a longer landing gear to have enough clearance for the wheels to make contact.

Although, it would make a nice luggage hold, like on a caravan.

 

[Gatorman]

Pilots...sheesh

ummm....yes, i do believe it is a doctored photo, otherwise the thing would not be able to land.
From my perspective as a mechanic....it would have to have a longer landing gear to have enough clearance for the wheels to make contact.

Although, it would make a nice luggage hold, like on a caravan.

 

[Movin' on up!]

Lear ID

I do aerial photo/mapping and thus familiar with this type of mod. The mod is used for aerial mapping with either sound or LADAR (laser source). And no, the gear doesn't have to have to be longer, although it is pretty tight ground clearance. A company out of Denver flies a few of them. Can see one in Reno or at Mather in CA. Most flying done at night. This photo is "doctored" in the sense that it has been modified for advertisement purposes. We do that often in that we take the background, bring into focus and then "paint" the airplane back into the picture. Most pictures in advertising now are retouched. Very few are natural.

 

[BrnJetFuel]

I've seen this plane in CLT last fall. The tail has Northrop painted on it. Wonder if it's mapping for weapon systems?

Wonder if this is the same outfit that goes by the "SNOW SHOE" call sign?