The Jet Commander/Westwind/Astra/Galaxy at EGGP

[viscount]

Although the previous biz-jets types (Hansa, Jetstar and Sabreliner) that I've put through the visits to Liverpool Airport microscope have had less 'hits' than airliner types, to show I don't learn from past experience, here goes with the family of biz-jet designs produced by Aero Commander, then IAI (Israeli Aircraft Industries) and ultimately Gulfstream.

Aero 1121 Jet Commander & IAI 1124 Westwind

The Jet Commander was a jet powered development of the Aero Commander 500/690 twin-prop executive, and shared a great family resemblance. The Jet Commander design broadly reflected the conventional biz-jet arrangement with two rear nacelle mounted engines, however mid-position wings departed from convention. Normally considered a 7-seater, upto 10 'airline' style seats could be installed. First flight took place on 2nd January 1963, with deliveries to customers of General Electric CJ.610 powered aircraft commencing early 1965. Initial production was slow, and an improved version the 1122 flown in prototype form. However, the company was taken over by North American Rockwell and due to anti-trust laws, the new company could not produce both types of biz-jets, so rights for the Jet Commander were sold to IAI in 1968. In all around 150 were produced in the USA before production switched to Tel Aviv in Israel.

IAI modified the aircraft, with longer fuselage, wing tip tanks and increased weights to produce the IAI 1123 Westwind. Shortly after, the turbojets were replaced with Garrett TFE-731 turbofans and other modifications to become the IAI 1124 Westwind I, with deliveries commencing in 1976. From 1980 further improvements, including winglets, produced the IAI 1124A Westwind II. The last Westwind was built in 1987, by which time 442 Jet Commanders and Westwinds had been built and production switched to the Astra.

IAI 1125 Astra/Gulfstream 100 & Gulfstream 150

The Astra evolved directly from the Westwind, and despite a re-design of the wings, fuselage and tail there remained a family resemblance. The Astra first flew on 19th March 1984, first production aircraft March 1985, with certification by the FAA awarded August 1985 and deliveries from early 1986. The initial Astra was replaced by the Astra SP in 1989 with 37 built before further improvements resulted in the Astra SPX, which first flew in August 1994. To facilitate North American sales, design rights and type certification were held by American company, Galaxy Aerospace, although the aircraft were built in Israel by IAI and the completed airframe flown to the USA for interior outfitting. In May 2001 Galaxy Aerospace in the USA was bought out by Gulfstream. As a direct result the IAI Astra SPX became the Gulfstream 100 from September 2002, although still built by IAI. A developed version was announced during 2002 and is marketed as the Gulfstream 150, with first deliveries during 2005.

IAI 1126 Galaxy/Gulfstream 200 & Gulfstream 250/280

The wing design of the Astra was further modified and matched to a new longer and wider fuselage during the mid 1990s with PW306A engines. Originally the Astra Galaxy, the design was to become simply the Galaxy. Type first flight was on 25th December 1997, with certification December 1998 and first customer deliveries 1999. Following the May 2001 take-over of Galaxy Aerospace in the USA by Gulfstream Aerospace, the IAI built aircraft have been marketed as the Gulfstream 200 since June 2001. A development with new engines, avionics and other improvements was launched in 2008 as the Gulfstream 250, (renumbered 280 late summer 2011 to help sales in the Chinese market), with first flight 11th December 2009 and certification due in 2011. This redesign will compete even more effectively with the Hawker 4000, Challenger 300 and future Legacy 500.

Having set the scene, on with the relatively few visits to Liverpool Airport over the years. Do feel free to illustrate with photos of these types at Liverpool.

The details above have been extracted from entries on www.wikipedia.org which is a good place to commence further research should you wish to.

[viscount]

ALL VISITS BY JET COMMANDER, WESTWIND, ASTRA and GALAXY FAMILIES OF AIRCRAFT INTO LIVERPOOL AIRPORT

1975

First visit by a Aero Jet Commander 1121 was a visit by Paris based F-BTDA on 12th November 1975, operating from and to Le Bourget. At a time when most colour schemes were based on silver and white with the only colour in a cheat line, F-BTDA was overall dark midnight blue with pale blue cheatline and registration on the engine cowls - very exotic. The delay in seeing a Jet Commander at Speke was not a surprise to Liverpool based spotters, as there were never that many around Northern Europe airports and biz-jet visits were still few and far between in the mid Seventies.

1978

A second European Jet Commander 1121 I-LECO (recently ex N7KR) called on Thursday 30th March, from and to Genoa and appeared again later in the year on 14th July, also from and to Genoa. Once again operating from and to Le Bourget, F-BTDA appeared at Liverpool again on Thursday 11th May.

1979

It would appear that the final visit by a Jet Commander was a further visit by F-BTDA was on Wednesday 9th May, again from and to Paris/Le Bourget, at Liverpool 1232 to 1607. Although it appeared that the pace of Jet Commander visits was increasing, this was to be the last appearance of the design for near on twenty years!

1997

Although very similar in appearance to the earlier Jet Commander, the first visit by an IAI 1124 Westwind was not until ten years after production ended. Quite how we avoided visits is just one of life's little mysteries. The drought ended on Thursday 4th December with a visit by N325AJ which arrived on an ambulance flight from Pisa at 1231. The aircraft then night stopped before departing for Keflavik en route to the USA at 1030 on Friday morning.

2000

First visit by an IAI 1125A Astra SPX occurred on Friday 6th October, with a visit by OE-GAM, which arrived on an ambulance flight from Valencia at 1523, leaving early the following morning for Vienna at 0506. Used flight numbers OAF106/107.

2001

Four years on the second, and to date, the final visit by a Westwind, was a visit by Spanish registered IAI 1124A Westwind II (winglets on the tip tanks!) EC-GSL of Gestair. Arrived Wednesday 28th November from Cologne at 1754, departing the following day for Porto at 1215, using flight numbers GES092/091.

2002

First visit by a IAI 1126 Galaxy saw N800PJ arrive at 1034 on Saturday 17th October from Zurich and stopping at Liverpool until departure at 1108 on Monday 19th for Farnborough.

2004

The second visit of a Galaxy was on Monday 26th July when N408LN arrived from Farnborough at 1345, staying only three-quarters of an hour before departing at 1426 for Nice.

2006

An Astra and a Galaxy not only visited in the same year, but in the same week! IAI 1125A Astra SPX, with appropriate serial N1125S, arriving Monday 17th July at 1010 from Gander International and staying until Wednesday 19th and a 0452 departure direct for Gander International. This aircraft was owned by PGA Tour Golf Course Properties Inc and its visit must have been in relation to the Golf at Hoylake. The IAI1126 Galaxy was N889G which arrived direct from Goose Bay at 1810 on Friday 21st July and stayed until 1845 on Monday 24th and departure for Farnborough was also almost certainly golf related too.

2008

No Westwinds, Astras or Galaxies visited Liverpool in 2007, however the frequency of visits has slowly increased since.

Israeli registered aircraft are unusual at Liverpool, which made the visit by IAI1126 Galaxy 4X-CLL on Tuesday 19th February all the more notable. It arrived at 1649 from Bucharest, leaving for Luton at 2234. That evening there were a number of biz-jets and supporter's charters at LJLA for Inter Milan v LFC, however it is not known if the Galaxy visit was in connection with the match or co-incidence.

First visit by the Gulfstream 150 variant of the Astra brought in EC-KMS on Monday 22nd September from Madrid/Torrejon at 1759, leaving half an hour later for Luton at 1833, using flight numbers TGM111/112.

2009

No Astras in 2009, but a record number of Galaxy/Gulfstream 200 visits, with three aircraft during the year. First Gulfstream 200 to visit was a Spanish registered machine, EC-JQE from Venice at 2211 late on 7th February, leaving at 0913 the following morning for Madrid/Torrejon. Used flight numbers EXU182/181. Next Gulfstream 200 was N217BA on Tuesday 21st April, visiting between 1628 and 2223, from and to Luton, almost certainly in conjunction with Arsenal FC playing at Anfield that evening. Final G.200 visit of the year by the type brought in N765M on Saturday 25th July at 1844 from Teterboro direct. The aircraft was parked on the main apron until departure at 1654 on Tuesday 28th for Farnborough.

2010

Visits noted so far in the first quarter of 2010 have brought in two further Gulfstream 200 visits with N682GA on Tuesday 2nd February at 1204 from Leeds, night stopping before departure direct for Gander on 3rd at 1802. Swiss HB-JEB called for half an hour early on Friday 5th March, 0740 to 0823, from and to Geneva, using flight number FGP22. Galaxy N682GA returned on Monday evening 26th July and again Tuesday morning 30th November. Final visit of the year on Thursday 2nd December, routing from Leeds to Gander, at Liverpool 1046-1212. So the year ended with just the two different Galaxies and no Astra visits.

2011

First Gulfstream 200 of the year was a further visit by N682GA on Thursday 16th February, routing Leeds to Gander, on the ground at LJLA 1320-1508. The following month, for the Premiership LFC v MUFC match at Anfield on Sunday 6th March, 0920-1741, one of a number of biz-jet visitors was Gulfstream 200 OE-HGO as MJF27G of MJet on its first visit to Liverpool. MJet's OE-HGO called again Sunday 15th May, 1217-1852, from & to Geneva, this time for LFC v Spurs, final home game of the season and a possible decider for final League position. So it looks as if we now have two irregularly regular Galaxy visitors.

Had to wait until 17th October for the first Gulfstream 100/Astra of the year. This was actually a Blackpool diversion, as OE-GBD arriving from Catania, departing to Innsbruck, operating as TYW412/3 with Tyrol Air Ambulance. A first visit by this aircraft. Another first visitor, was the next Galaxy 200, PH-YMA 'JNL183' (Jet Netherlands) on Saturday 10th December.

2012

Not a prolific visiting type in 2012. Just the one visit, which was a Spanish Astra 100 EC-LDS from & to Farnborough on 21st November 2012.

2013

There may have been no Galaxies during 2012, however next to visit was a Gulfstream G200 Galaxy EC-KRN which visited on 12th May from Paris/Le Bourget and out to Barcelona as EXU283/284. This was followed by a further Gulfstream 200 Galaxy G-OIRP calling in late July in connection with the Senior Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale. Towards the end of the year G200 Galaxy G-GZOO arrived from Newcastle at 1801 on Monday 9th December, the following day it departed for Shannon 1141, returning at 1402, then onwards to Newcastle at 1602.

2014

Galaxy 200 OE-HGO of MJet GmbH was back, after a few years absence, on Sunday 27th April, from and to Innsbruck, again carrying spectators to a LFC match. On Sunday 8th June Astra 100 EC-LDS called and night stopped routing from and to Farnborough. A month later Astra 150 EC-KPJ called for a very brief visit in the early hours of Monday 7th July from Gatwick and out to Madrid. Both aircraft operated by TAG Aviation Espana.

2015

No Galaxy aircraft visited in 2015, however 5 visits by 2 different Astra aircraft were recorded. The most frequent single user of Astra and Galaxy aircraft over the next few years has bee Tyrol Air Ambulance (TYW), mostly on air ambulance repatriation flights. Their Astra 100 OE-GBD called on the evening of Friday 2nd October from Seville departing to Innsbruck the next day. It was back during the afternoon of Saturday 29th August from Antalya and again late afternoon of Saturday 29th August from Tenerife. Astra SPX D-CRIS also in use with Tyrol Air Ambulance arrived in the early afternoon of Friday 2nd October from Pula and again early evening f Tuesday 17th November from Cagliari. All five Tyrol Air Ambulance flights departed home to their Innsbruck base.

2016

The numbers keep creeping up each year. In 2016 there were 7 visits involving 4 different aircraft. All the Astra SPX/100 aircraft visits were by Tryol Air Ambulance with OE-GBE on evening of Saturday 18th June and night stopped arriving from Oporto and leaving for Dublin. OE-GKW arrived on Monday afternoon 16th May and night stopped, from Paphos to Alicante; then Wednesday 31st August early afternoon from Athens to Innsbruck and again late afternoon Monday 19th December from Las Palmas to Innsbruck.

Galaxy 200 EC-LBB called on Thursday 5th May, from and to Valencia in a visit related to a football match LFC v Villareal. The first visit by a Gulfstream 280 fell to M-INTY on Wednesday 13th July arriving direct from Teterboro, USA and onto Bournemouth in the late afternoon, to return late morning the following day back from Bournemouth and to Geneva.

2017

Busiest year to see Astra and Galaxy aircraft passing through JLA in the Twenty-Tens was 2017, with 9 visits by 6 different aircraft. Tyrol Air Ambulance used two of their Astra 100 aircraft into Liverpool, with 4 visits during the year. OE-GBD called late night on Thursday 4th May, departing the next afternoon, from Murcia/San Javier and out to Palma de Mallorca, with a further visit on Monday 14th August in the evening and night stopping, from Nice to Amsterdam. While OE-GKW during mid-afternoon on Monday 5th June arrived from Malta and departed to Luton with another visit Saturday 9th September in early afternoon from Biggin Hill and out to Altenrhein.

First of the Galaxy visit of the year involved Aeromedicare Galaxy 280 SP-NVM arriving evening of Wednesday 11th January and night stopping, operating from and to Cardiff, likely in support of an organ transplant. Next in was Galaxy 280 M-ELAS on Saturday 25th March arriving direct from Teterboro, USA direct and the following day onwards to Paphos, Cryprus, two rather lengthy flights. Then came a flurry of activity in September with Galaxy 200 4X-CLL Monday morning 11th September routing from Birmingham to Leeds/Bradford. This was followed by British registered Galaxy 200, appropriately registered G-GZOO, on Saturday morning 23rd September from Leeds/Bradford to Palma, reversing that route mid afternoon of Saturday 30th.

2018

Of the 7 visits by 4 different aircraft, air ambulance flights dominate the visits during 2018. Tyrol Air Ambulance's OE-GBD brought in a patient on Tuesday 9th January in the early evening from Perpignan and departed for Lanzarote. Back again on Sunday 10th June, this time very late at night from Fuerteventura departing midday next day home to Innsbruck. It went to appear twice more, on Tuesday 31st July in the afternoon form Las Palmas and again Wednesday 7th November from Fuerteventura, and on both occasions back to their home base, Innsbruck. Tyrol Air Ambulance also used OE-GKW. It arrived on Sunday 10th June very late at night from Fuerteventura and around midday the following day departed for Innsbruck.

OF the other two aircraft that year, one was also Austrian registered. This was Galaxy 200 OE-HOP of Avcom Jet (AOJ) on Thursday 19th July in the early evening, from Luton and departing for Rome/Ciampino. Gulfstream 280 SP-MBW of Xclusive Jet Charter (XJC) called in the morning, departing in the late afternoon of Sunday 19th August, routing from Poznan to Oxford.

2019

Six visits by six different aircraft during 2019. Only obvious 'air ambulance' operation was by 'new' Astra 100SPX OE-GFC with Tyrol Air Ambulance, arriving from Corfu mid afternoon Saturday 31st August and night stopped before departing for Bari, Italy. On Monday 4th February Gulfstream 280 company demonstrator N280GF arrived in the evening from London City and departed mid afternoon the following day for Birmingham. Another Gulfstream 280 called on 7th May, OE-HWM of Alpine Flight Service (FSE) in the morning from Berne to Antwerp. While a further Gulfstream 280 was N545C arriving in the late afternoon of Monday 3rd June from Geneva and departing to Paris/Le Bourget the following day.

That leaves the final two of the year, both Galaxy 200s. EC-KRN of EJME Aircraft Management arriving evening of Sunday 8th September from alma and departing next day for Jersey. San Marino registered Galaxy 200 T7-PRM of ICS-Aero SM, arrived early afternoon of Sunday 10th November from Kiev with passengers to watch the Premiership match, Liverpool FC v Manchester City before departing to Luton.

2020

In the year of the Covid-19 pandemic it is little surprise that the number of biz-jet visitors were well down. However Tyrol Air Ambulance (TYW) appeared twice on ambulance flights. On Saturday evening 18th January and night stopped came OE-GBE from Alexandria and in the early afternoon of Saturday 5th September OE-GKW from Ljubljana, both aircraft then departing home to Innsbruck.

2021

As overseas travel tentatively began to open up in May 2021, so a Tyrol Air Ambulance Astra OE-GBD arrived during the evening of Wednesday 26th May, an aircraft that has not been to JLA since 2018. It operated an medevac flight from Gdansk and departed home to Innsbruck the following morning. The same aircraft was back on Thursday 19th August operating from & to Innsbruck, it also night stopped between flights. Later in the month, on Saturday 28th August Gulfstream 150 9H-LAR of Lux Wing, Malta operated in from Madrid, out to Turin in the evening. Finally, Gulfstream 280 G-JSNS on Sunday 26th December in the late morning operated by Gama Aviation routed in from Jersey and out to Gothenburg.

2022

Busiest year ever for Astra/Galaxy visits through John Lennon Airport, with 14 appearances by no less than 10 different aircraft, so well exceeding the previous record in 2017.

First in was a return visit by Gulfstream 280 G-JSNS early afternoon of Thursday 13th January, from & to Luton. A further Gulfstream 280 I-SEAV called late morning of Tuesday 15th February, operated by Servizi Aerei SpA, arriving from Milan/Linate and departing to Rome/Ciampino. Demonstrating the extended range available, on Wednesday 9th March Astra 100SPX C-GBSW of Latitude Air Ambulance arrived with a medevac patient direct from St.Johns, Newfoundland. The following day it returned to Canada via Keflavik.

The fairly regular Tyrol Air Ambulance aircraft appeared several times during the year. OE-GKW on Friday 25th February, from & to Innsbruck; appearing again on Wednesday 29th June in the evening with a patient from Kefalonia, before returning home to Innsbruck. OE-GBD arrived during the evening of Monday 1st August from Athens International, night stopped then departed to Tenerife South. It was back at John Lennon again evening of Tuesday 25th October, this time from Agadir, and departing to Athens International.

On Tuesday 5th July Avcon Jet's Galaxy 200 OE-HOP called, in from Palerma and out to Madrid. Two days later, THursday 7th July Gestair/Galaxy Aviation used their Galaxy 200 EC-LBB to operate from Valencia and out to Southend. Just over a week later, Saturday 16th July EJME Management brought in their Galaxy 200 EC-KRN, in from Luton and out to Nice. Less than fortnight later and a third Spanish registered Galaxy 200, this time EC-KBC of Global Jet Austria, operating from and to Madrid. The same aircraft was back on Saturday 27th August, from Calgarli, Sardinia to Madrid and back for a third visit of the year on Monday 1st September operating in from Venice and out home to Madrid. Final visit by an Astra/Galaxy was Galaxy 280 PH-WPA of Exxaero on Tuesday 13th September with Ajax fans to watch their team play LFC at Anfield.

2023

It did not take long for the first Astra/Galaxy visit of the year in 2023 with C-GZCZ an Gulfstream 150 arriving just after midday on Sunday 1st January. The Sunwest Aviation aircraft was on a medivac flight originating at Calgary with a single fuel stop en route at Frobfisher Bay. The aircraft departed on the 6th back to Frobfisher Bay then onward further into Canada.

(Entries complete upto the end of February 2023)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Quite certainly this story will continue as the Gulfstream 100/150/200/250 series are still in production. Whether we ever see the Jet Commander or Westwind again at Liverpool is far less certain and increasingly unlikely.

Usual rider that while I know that every aircraft that visits in a year is covered, subsequent visits in the year might be missed. While usually in these type reviews some aircraft make repeat visits over several years, nearly all the aircraft mentioned here have visited just the once.

Without the monthly record published progressively by the MAS, AB(M) and NWAN groups, and the annual summary of visitors, an account such as this could not be so authoritive. Many thanks to all those who have, over the years, transcribed the movement records into visiting aircraft logs.

With types that change designation/names, it is always confusing as to which name to give to any particular airframe - this has been a problem for Galaxy/Gulfstream 200 entries. Also, if anyone has any knowledge of any owners/operators at the time of visit, do PM these to me so that I can add to the information above. (May 2010)

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Aircraft seen at Liverpool:

Jet Commander: F-BTDA, I-LECO.

Westwind: EC-GSL, N325AJ.

Astra/Gulfstream 100: C-GBSW, D-CRIS, EC-LDS, N1125S, OE-GAM, OE-GBD, OE-GBE, OE-GFC, OE-GKW.
Gulfstream 150: C-GZCZ, 9H-LAR, EC-KMS, EC-KPJ

Galaxy/Gulfstream 200: EC-JQE, EC-KRN, EC-LBB, EC-KBC, EC-KRN, G-GZOO, G-OIRP, HB-JEB, N217BA, N408LN, N682GA, N765M, N800PJ, N889G, OE-HOP, OE-HGO, PH-YMA, T7-PRM, 4X-CLL.
Gulfstream 280: G-JSNS, I-SEAV, M-ELAS, M-INTY, N280GF, N545C, OE-HWM, PH-WPA, SP-NVM.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Thread composed 2010, updated early 2016, further update May 2021 and then again April 2023.

Hope you have enjoyed this one. Now, I wonder who can dig out a photo of a Jet Commander or Westwind at Liverpool!

[viscount]

Jet Commander/Westwind

---- F-BTDA 1121, fate?
---- I-LECO 1121, fate?
---- N325AJ 1124, fate?
353 EC-GSL 1124A, became RP-C5880

Astra/Gulfstream 100/Gulfstream 150

111 OE-GAM Astra SPX (formerly HB-VOA), became OY-YAM
134 N1125S Astra SPX, current
237 EC-KMS G.150, current

Galaxy/Gulfstream 200

026 N800PJ Galaxy, current
032 HB-JEB G.200, current (formerly N406LM)
034 PH-YMA G.200, current
036 N408LN Galaxy, became B-KSJ
040 4X-CLL Galaxy, current
046 N889G Galaxy, current (formerly PR-MEN)
124 N765M G.200, current
125 EC-JQE G.200, current (formerly N221GA)
144 N217BA G.200, current
202 N682GA G.200, current
238 OE-HGO G.200, current

Information from www.laasdata.com Not updated since posted in 2010.

[Deleted]

A bit more detail from AvDb:

F-BTDA c/n 145, became N349DA, N145BW, N145AJ and finally N805SM. Was lasted noted as stored at Deland FL in 2007.

I-LECO c/n 072, became VR-CAU and then N2WU. Was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident at Laguna del Saule, Uraguay.

N325AJ c/n 181, became N325LJ then N345BS on 20.07.09 at Greenboro NC.

GC

[viscount]

Galaxy of Galaxies (groan!)



N765M a Galaxy on the apron at Liverpool between 25th and 28th July 2009.





Galaxy 200 PH-YMA on late finals for 27 at Liverpool December 2011.





Galaxy 200 G-OIRP on late finals for 27 at Liverpool, 25th July 2013.



With another rather similar shot of a further Galaxy 200 EC-LBB on 5th May 2016 from Valencia with football fans to see their team play LFC at Anfield.

[viscount]

Maybe not the quality of today's digital images, and one which would benefit from being in colour (which from memory was dark midnight blue with pale blue trim and lettering).



This Dave Price photo first appeared in Flypast magazine January 1976, which means that this was on the occasion of the first visit of type to Liverpool, 12th November 1975.



While this is I-LECO which called twice in 1978



While this is Astra N1125S in July 2006, providing transport to Hoylake for a professional golfer.

[Beemer]

An Astranomical amount of Astras

N682GA G200 17-02-2011


N682GA by Beemer328i, on Flickr

OE-GBD 1125 Astra Tyrol Air Ambulance


OE-GBD 1125 Astra by Beemer328i, on Flickr

EC-LDS G100 TAG Aviation Spain


EC-LDS by Brian T, on Flickr

G-OIRP G200


G-OIRP by Beemer328i, on Flickr

G-GZOO G200


G-GZOO G200 Galaxy by Beemer328i, on Flickr

OE-HOP G200


OE-HOP G200 Avcon Jet by Beemer328i, on Flickr

OE-GFC G100 Tyrol Air Ambulance


OE-GFC Gulfstream G100 Tyrol Air Ambulance by Beemer328i, on Flickr

OE-HWM G280


OE-HWM G280 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

N545C G280


N545C Gulf 280 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

T7-PRM G200


T7-PRM by Beemer328i, on Flickr

G-JSNS G280


G-JSNS Gulfstream G280 Gama Aviation by Beemer328i, on Flickr

I-SEAV G280


I-SEAV Gulfstream G280 Servizi Aerei S by Beemer328i, on Flickr

C-GZCZ G280


C-GZCZ Gulfstream G150 by Beemer328i, on Flickr