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Learjet 35

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Learjet 35/36
Swiss Luftwaffe Learjet 35A.
Type Business jet
Manufacturer Learjet
Maiden flight August 22, 1973
Status Operational
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from Learjet 25

The Learjet Model 35 and Model 36 are a series of American multi-role business jets and military transport aircraft. When used by the United States Air Force they carry the designation C-21A).

The aircraft are powered by two Garrett TFE731-2 turbofan engines. Its cabin can be arranged for 6-8 passengers. The Model 36 has a shortened passenger area in the fuselage, in order to provide more space in the aft fuselage for fuel tanks. It is designed for longer-range mission capability.

The engines are mounted in nacelles on the sides of the aft fuselage. The wings are equipped with single-slotted flaps. The wingtip fuel tanks distinguish the design from other aircraft having similar functions.

Development

The concept which became the LJ35 began as the Learjet 25BGF (with GF referring to "Garrett Fan"), a Learjet 25 with a then-new TFE731 turbofan engine mounted on the left side in place of the 25's General Electric CJ610 turbojet engine. This testbed aircraft first flew in May, 1971.[1] As a result of the increased power and reduced noise of the new engine, Learjet further improved the design, and instead of being simply a variant of the 25, it became its own model, the 35.

Operational History

In 1976, American professional golfer Arnold Palmer used a Learjet 36 to establish a new round-the-world class record of 22,894 miles (36990 km) in 57 hours 25 minutes 42 seconds.

Production on the 35/36 series ceased in 1994.[2]

As of January, 2007, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board database[3] lists 19 fatal accidents for the 35/35A, and two for the 36/36A.

Variants

35

The original Model 35 was powered by two TFE731-2-2A engines and was 13 inches longer than its predecessor, the Model 25. First flight of the prototype Model 35 was on August 22, 1973, and the aircraft was FAA certified in July, 1974. It could carry up to eight passengers. There were 64 base-model 35s built.[2]

35A

File:Lear35a.jpg
The Learjet 35A

The Model 35A is an upgraded Model 35 with TFE731-2-2B engines and a range of 2,789 miles, with a fuel capacity of 931 US gallons (3,524 L) with refueling accomplished at ground level through each wingtip tank. It was introduced in 1976, replacing the 35. Over 600 35As were built, with a production line that ended with serial number 677, in 1993.[2]

C-21A

The C-21A is a military variant of the Learjet 35A, with room for eight passengers and 42 ft³ (1.26 m³) of cargo. In addition to its normal role, the aircraft is capable of transporting litters during medical evacuations.

Delivery of the C-21A fleet began in April 1984 and was completed in October 1985. Dyncorp International provides full contractor logistics support at seven worldwide locations.

There are 38 Air Force active duty aircraft, and 18 Air National Guard aircraft in the C-21A fleet. On April 1, 1997, all continental U.S.-based C-21As were realigned under Air Mobility Command, with the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as the lead command. C-21As stationed outside the continental United States are assigned to the theater commanders.[4]

36

The Model 36 is essentially identical to the 35, except that it has a larger fuselage fuel tank, giving it 500 miles longer range, but reducing the passenger area's length by 18 inches (0.46 m). It was certified, along with the 35, in July, 1974.

36A

Like the 35A, the Model 36A has upgraded engines and a higher maximum gross weight. It was introduced in 1976, replacing the 36.[2]

Notable incidents

Specifications (C-21A)

Data from {GlobalSecurity}[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two (pilot and co-pilot)
  • Capacity: 8 passengers and 3,153 lb (1,433 kg) of cargo
  • Length: 48 ft 7 in (14.71 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft 6 in (11.97m)
  • Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.71 mm)
  • Wing area: 253.3ft² (23.53m²)
  • Empty weight: 10,119 lb (4,590kg)
  • Loaded weight: lb (kg)
  • Useful load: lb (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 18,300 lb (8,235 kg)
  • Powerplant:Garrett TFE731-2-2B turbofan, 3,500 lbf (16kN) each
  • *Unit cost: $3.1 million (fiscal 1996 constant dollars)

Performance


References

External links

See also

Related lists

Template:US transport aircraft

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Learjet 35".