ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

ADF Training and Jet Support
Gates Learjet 31A, 35A, 36, 36A & 60.

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Learjet VH-LRX

 
     
 

Gates Learjet Image Gallery

 
     
  There have been a number of civilian Learjets operated under contract to all branches of the Australian Defence Force. Companies involved include Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd, Fleet Support, Lloyd Aviation, Raytheon Australia, Stillwell Aviation and Pel-Air Aviation. They are used or a variety of roles including photo survey, target towing, fleet co-operation, and electronic warfare training. Pel-Air Aviation also utilised Israel Aviation Industries Westwind IIs in related roles (these were often incorrectly referred to as "Learjets"). On 09/09/2015 the Jet Air Support contract was awarded to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd to provide ADF training support tasks. Their website stated that commencing 01/10/2015 they would use 7 Learjets fitted with target towing and special mission equipment. In 2016 Air Affairs added three additional Learjets for use both in the ADF support role and for their National Aerial Firefighting contract. By 2017 the Air Affairs Learjet fleet had doubled in size to 14 aircraft, including some ex Pel-Air aircraft. They are not all the same specification and suitable for a variety of tasks (see bottom of page). In 2018 Air Affairs Australia added a Learjet 31A and a Learjet 60 to the fleet. In 2017 Raytheon Australia and Air Affairs Australia announced a partnering arrangement offering the ADF a more realistic training scenario. Raytheon currently use two specialist Learjets in the Electronic Warfare training role. (see heading photo)  
     

Registration C.N Year Aircraft History
VH-BIB 36-035 1977 31/01/1978 registered VH-BIB to B.S Stillwell
08/1979 registered N266BS to Stillwell Aviation
27/06/1986 registered VH-BIB to Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter
Operated by Lloyd Aviation Air Target Services under contract to ADF
03/1991 registered N71CK
Believed still current in USA

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-BIB

VH-BQR 35A-471 1982 08/04/1982 VH-BJR E.Rivkin & Company,
??/12/1986 N95AP Aerosmith-Penny Inc,
??/05/1987 N95AP Great Western Leasing Inc,
??/10/1988 N95AP Jet East Inc,
??/06/1989 N95AP Eagle Aviation Inc,
??/01/1990 N95AP Tarkenton investments,
??/04/1994 N110FT  Tarkenton investments,
11/08/1994 N110FT Milam International,
13/04/2006 N529BC Milam International,
22/04/2008 N529BC International Jet Aviation Services Inc

More details to be added.

Learjet VH-BQR 
Adelaide 
19th October 1986 
Photo Danny Tanner

VH-ESM 35-611 1986 05/1986 registered N622WX to Mountain Aviation Inc.
02/1988 to Zargeo Inc.
14/01/2000 to Air Strathmore Corporation
24/04/2000 registered N611TW
28/06/2001 to CIT Group-Equipment Finance Inc.
07/02/2002 to Flight International Sales and Leasing Inc.
11/11/2003 to Flight Capital LLC
16/03/2004 to L-3 Communications Flight Capital LLC
14/10/2004 to Raytheon Australia
19/10/2004 registered VH-ESM
Provides Electronic Warfare Training Services (EWTS) to RAN and other ADF assets
2017 Raytheon and Air Affairs Australia announced a partnering arrangement offering the ADF a more realistic training scenario.
VH-ESM now wears an overall grey scheme.

Highlight for Album:
                                  Learjet VH-ESM

VH-ESW 35-071 1976 12/07/1976 to Arab Wings as JY-AFD
08/1980 to Uni-Air as F-WDCP then F-GDCP
09/06/1995 to Gantt Aviation as N82GA
06/1995 to General Aviation Services Inc.
09/1995 to Corporate Jets Inc.
02/1996 registered N199CJ
08/05/2000 to Maritime Sales and Leasing Inc.
04/08/2000 registered N99FN
17/12/2002 to Flight Capital LLC
16/03/2004 to L-3 Communications Flight Capital LLC
02/2001 to 01/2005 leased as N99FN to Raytheon Australia providing Electronic Warfare Training Services (EWTS) to RAN. (Flew approx 1200 hours, 570 missions)
29/06/2005 purchased by Raytheon Australia
28/07/2005 registered VH-ESW
2017 Raytheon and Air Affairs Australia announced a partnering arrangement offering the ADF a more realistic training scenario.

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-ESW

VH-FOX 35-427 1981 10/1981 registered VH-FOX to Adelaide Holding P.L
Wore prominent RAAF titles and roundel with smaller Pacific Aviation titles. Fitted with a fairing on starboard forward fuselage housing a Wild RC10 camera (as used on the Cartographic Survey Canberra that they replaced)  and underwing hard points. (see photo)
28/06/1983 engaged in target towing for surface to air missile.  4920m of cable jettisoned and landed on town of Port Parnham, SA
10/86 noted RAAF titles and camera fairing removed.
1992 and 1995 noted in Llyod Aviation livery (white with red and blue stripes)
Cancelled from Australian register and exported to USA, registered N42LL  6/03/1997
22/01/1998 registered N358AC
01/06/2000 registered N36HJ
03/2007 cancelled from US register and scrapped.

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-FOX

VH-FSU 35-463 1982 For details see VH-ULT below
VH-FSW 35-463 1982 For details see VH-ULT below
VH-FSX 35-046 1976 For details see VH-SLJ below
VH-FSY 35-221 1979 02/05/1979 delivered to Ward Express as VH-WFE
04/06/1993 registered VH-FSY to Fleet Support
21/11/1996 registered N221TR to Career Aviation Company Inc.
02/99 to Pak West Airlines Inc,

31/3/2016 Deregistered for export to Mexico. Operated by US company Private Flite Charters, registered in Mexico as XA-MMN and based out of Cancún International Airport.

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-FSY

VH-FSZ 35-242 1979 23/06/1979 delivered to Ward Express as VH-WFJ
09/06/1993 registered VH-FSZ to Fleet Support
21/11/1996 registered N242DR to Career Aviation Company Inc.
Believed still current USA

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-FSZ

VH-HOF 35-165 1978 Previously registered A40-CA to Inspector General of Police, Oman
30/06/1988 registered VH-HOF to Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter
Operated by
Lloyd Aviation Air Target Services under contract to ADF
10/1988 static display Bicentennial Airshow, Richmond, NSW
22/10/1990 registration cancelled and exported to USA
12/1990 registered N16BJ

02/1992 registered N72CK
02/1992 registered N72CK with Kalitta Charters in Michigan.
21/04/2014 accidental gear-up touch-and-go, aircraft repaired and returned to service,
19/03/2018 registration cancelled, aircraft status unknown.

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-HOF

VH-KTI 35-239 1979 23.06.1979 delivered to Katies P.L as VH-KTI
Leased aircraft used by RAAF 6 Squadron.
From 1982 until 1987 (following the retirement of the Canberra) No 6 Squadron's Survey Flight operated leased Learjet aircraft and deployed to locations including Biak, Butterworth, Vanuatu and Fiji.
16/11/1986 noted at RAAF Edinburgh wearing roundels on engine nacelles.
? exported to USA
07/1992 registered N239GJ
10/1992 registered N521PA continued providing target services to USAF with Phoenix Air
14/12/1994 suffered in flight fire and crashed on approach to airport at Fresno CA.
06/01/1995 registration cancelled

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-KTI

VH-LFA 35-444 1981 13/12/1981 registered D-CARH to Aero-Dienst GmbH
10/1983 to MJI Management Jets International Inc. as N44695
11/1983 registration changed to N444MJ
03/1985 to BancBoston Leasing Inc.
06/1985 registration changed to N144WB
01/1993 to Standard Register Company
11/1993 to Northwest Jet Sales & Leasing as N1U
02/1995 to Stephen L Kesler
03/1995 registration changed to N44SK
02/1998 to General Parts Inc.
04/1998registration changed to N615HP
19/09/2000 to OGara Aviation LLC
10/10/2000 registration changed to N615HB
13/07/2001 to Northwestern Aircraft Capital Corporation
14/04/2003 to Maritime Sales and Leasing Inc.
31/03/2004 to G A Robinson III (Trustee)
26/12/2012 to Arvida Aircorp Inc.
10/2016
acquired by Air Affairs Australia
27/10/2016 registered VH-LFA

Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-LFA

VH-LJA 35-649 5-649 09/1989 delivered to Executive Jet Aviation S.A as HB-VJJ
17/10/2002 to Ian Cameron N35QB
25/02/2003 to Auckland Air Charter ZK-XVL
18/11/2015 fitted with hardpoint fittings
18/12/2015 registered VH-LJA to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Learjet VH-LJA Darwin September
                                  2016 Photo Sid Mitchell

VH-LJB 25-180 1974 29/09/1974 registered VH-BLJ to Wards Express
15/07/1980 to Bermar S Stillwell as N95BS
02/1983 to Kingston Air Services as C-FEWB
02/1985 returned to
Bermar S Stillwell as N95BS
12/06/1987 to Lloyd Aviation as VH-LJB  Used for target towing
06/1989 to Stillwell Aviation as N226BS
23/01/1990 to Arvin Calspan Corporation
05/1990 registered N102VS to Arvin Calspan Corporation
16/03/2005 registered N102VS
to Calspan Flight Research

Highlight for Album: Learjet 25
                              VH-LJB

VH-LJH 35-498 1982 31/01/2019 registered VH-LJH to Astra Aerospace P/L North Nowra, NSW
Operated by GoJet P/L North Nowra, NSW
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight for Album: Learjet VH-LJH

VH-LJJ 35-324 1980 30/08/1980 delivered as G-JJSG to Pendleton Aviation-Jefferson-Smurfit Group
20/08/1992 registered G-JETN to Heathrow Jet Charter Ltd
16/10/1997 to Gama Aviation
05/03/1998 registration changed to G-JETG
17/03/2003 registered N8064N to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest
31/10/2003 to Airlift Trading Ltd
17/06/2005 registered VH-LJJ to Jet City Ltd
08/10/2015
to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-LJJ

VH-LJU 35-366 1980 29/01/1981 delivered to Calabras of North Carolina Inc. as N411LC
10/1983 to Gates Learjet Corporation
03/1984 to Alltel Corporation
01/1985 registarion changed to N49AT
03/1989 to Jetcraft Corporation
04/1989 to Alpha Aviation Inc.
04/1990 to Florence Wings Inc. as N119CP
06/1993 registration changed to N350DA
07/1993 to Bowana Aviation Inc.
06/1996 to CIT Leasing Corporation
06/1996 to Boston Chicken Inc.
11/1996 to Banc Boston Leasing Inc.
01/04/1998 o Kladstrup-Wetzel Associates Ltd.
23/06/1998 to TRA Associates LLC
16/05/2110 to Dalton Aviation LLC
09/06/2006 to Thia Flying Service Company Ltd as HS-CFS
02/04/2014 to Pacific Flight Services P/L as VH-YPT
02/08/2016 registered VH-LJU to Air Affairs Australia
08/09/2016 registered operator GoJet P/L Nowra
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight for Album: Learjet
                                  VH-LJU VH-YPT

VH-LPF 35-653 1989 24/11/1989 delivered to TAG Aviation SA as HB-VJL
18/06/2003 to DucAir as LX-LAR (Luxemburg Air Rescue)
10/2016 acquired by Air Affairs Australia
21/11/2016 registered VH-LPF
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-LPF

VH-LPJ 35-593 1984 12/1984 delivered as N32B to Black and Decker (US) Inc.
08/09/1987 I-FLYG to Eurofly Services S.p.A
02/1995 N593LR to General Electric Capital,
16/06/2000 to LR Aviation
25/08/2000 to Paradise Aviation Corporation
30/10/2000  registration changed to N593PN
27/02/2004 to Paspaley Pearling P.L
01/03/2004 registered VH-PPF
22/10/2005 to Pearl Aviation Australia
07/12/2005 to Linfox Aircraft Charter
27/01/2006 registration changed to VH-LPJ
22/03/2006 to Air National Australia
11/11/2013 to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd 
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-LPJ

VH-LPS 35-407 1981 16/10/2018 registered VH-LPS to Astra Aerospace P/L North Nowra, NSW
Operated by GoJet P/L North Nowra, NSW
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract.

Highlight for Album: Learjet VH-LPS

VH-LPX 31-144 1997 1997 initially registered N144LJ to Learjet Inc.
28/04/1998 delivered to Chunchi Shimbun (Tomen Aerospace Corp.) as JA10CP
5/04/2018 registered VH-LPX to Astra Aerospace P/L North Nowra, NSW
Operated by GoJet P/L North Nowra, NSW
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight for Album: Learjet
                                VH-LPX

VH-LRN 35-450 1981 25/01/2019 registered VH-LRN to Astra Aerospace P/L North Nowra, NSW
Operated by GoJet P/L North Nowra, NSW
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract.

Highlight for Album: Learjet-VH-LRN

VH-LRX 35-192 1978 08/1978 delivered as N4995A to Circo Resorts Inc
09/1978 registration changed to N225CC
02/1979 to Circus Circus Hotels
26/08/1980 registration changed to N225QC
06/1981 to Puma Engineering Company
10/1981 registration changed to N49PE
06/1985 to Puma Air Corporation
08/1987 registration changed to N49BE
09/1987 to Gates Learjet Corporation
05/10/1987 to CWW Inc
28/02/2008 to Aircraft Guaranty Trust LLC
30/10/2009 to
to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
11/11/2009 registered VH-LRX
02/2013 on display Avalon Air Show fitted with underwing pod and towed target
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-LRX

VH-JCR 35-231 1979 11/07/1979 delivered as 911DB to Skybird Aviation Inc
04/1987 to Donald M Koll Company (Trustee)
09/1985 registration changed to N62DK
04/03/1996
to Southern Cross Aviation Inc
01/04/1996 registered VH-JCR to Jet City Pty Ltd
30/10/2015 to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd

04/11/2015 noted at Darwin along with VH-OVB using call signs Flogger and Ajax
11/11/2015 noted operating out of Williamtown also with VH-OVB
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-JCR

VH-JCX 36-057 1986 11/07/1986 delivered as HB-VIF to Aeroleasing SA (Switzerland)
03/1996 to Air Glaciers SA used as air ambulance.
23/07/2002 registered VH-JCX to Jet City Pty Ltd
02/08/2002 departed Geneva on ferry flight to Australia
28/02/2007 registered to Careflight Queensland Ltd
01/03/2008 returned to Jet City Pty Ltd
25/01/2016
registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-JCX

VH-NPP 60-158 1999 28/07/99 registered N237FX to Bombardier Aerospace Corp
Various operators including the following registration changes
15/02/2005 registration changed to N50EL
23/10/2007 registration changed to N460JD
25/08/2008 registered HB-VWN to JetClub Ltd
15/10/2102 registered N838MA to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee
11/03/2014 registered VH-NPP to Pacific Flight Services P/L
27/06/2018 registered VH-NPP to Astra Aerospace P/L North Nowra, NSW
Operated by GoJet P/L North Nowra, NSW
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet
Set up for aeromedical transport

Highlight for Album: Learjet
                                VH-NPP

VH-OVB 35-400 1981 04/06/1981 registered VH-CPH to Publication & Broadcasting
03/04/1987 registered VH-TPR to Australian Jet Charter
14/11.1996 to Equipment Leasing
03/12/1996 registered VH-JIG to Shortstop Jet Charter
18/11/2003 registered VH-OVB to Shortstop Jet Charter
23/10/2015 registered to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
04/11/2015 noted at Darwin along with VH-JCR using call signs Flogger and Ajax
11/11/2015 noted operating out of Williamtown also with VH-JCR
09/02/2016 registered operator GoJet Pty Ltd, North Nowra.
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-OVB

VH-SDN 35-342 1980 11/1980 delivered as N37931 to Sydney Doctors Nominees. (not sure that rego is correct)
27/10/1980 delivered to Stillwell Aviation.
c1982-1985 leased by RAAF for 6 Squadron following the retirement of the Canberra.
Unlike VH-FOX (see above) VH-SDN (and VH-SLJ) had the camera mounted on the port side in place of the standard lower door/stairs. Check one of our photos of VH-SLJ and you will see a set of steps being used. The door fairing is visible in a photo of VH-SDN

13/05/1985 registered VH-LGH (Langley George Hancock) to Hancock Prospecting
11/1990 registered N678S
14/01/1992 registered YV-15CP (Venezuela)
03/1995 registered N56JA
09/10/2008 to storage at Alliance Air Parts Inc.

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-SDN

VH-SLD 35-145 1977 19/01/1978 delivered to Swiss Air Ambulance as HB-VFB
01/1993 to Swiss Air Force as T-782
28/05/1996 to Global Jet Inc. as N145GJ
02/10/1996 registered VH-SLD to Pel-Air Aviation
I
n service with Navy Support Flight
09/09/2015 Jet Air Support contract awarded to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd,
Held in storage at Wagga airport
15/02/2017 Registered Operator GoJet Pty Ltd
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight for Album:
                                  Learjet VH-SLD

VH-SLE 35-428 1981 25/09/1981 registered as VH-ELC
19/10/1981 delivered to Utah Development Company, then BHP Coal.
14/12/1995 registered N17LH to Orion Aircraft Sales
15/01/1996 to Hunter Aviation Inc

17/12/1996 to Pel-Air Aviation as VH-SLE
In service with Navy Support Flight
09/09/2015 Jet Air Support contract awarded to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
Held in storage at Wagga airport
14/02/2017 Registered Operator GoJet Pty Ltd

Currently part of Air Affairs Jet Air Support Contract fleet.

Highlight for Album: Learjet VH-SLE

VH-SLF 36-049 1981 11/1981 registered N661AA to Central Sates Investment Company
04/1984 to Performance Airways Inc.
03/1985 to Southmark Corporation and Tyler Corporation
08/1985 registered N136ST
12/1987 to MSE Flight Services
02/1988 to Pacific Flight Services
10/1989 to Express One International
12/01/1990 registered N13JE
03/1991 to Condor Airplane Company as N136ST
03/1992 to Golden West Saipan Ltd.
27/06/1996 to Hunter Aviation Inc.
16/08/1996 to Pel-Air Aviation as VH-SLF
In service with Navy Support Flight
09/09/2015 Jet Air Support contract awarded to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
Held in storage at Wagga airport
15/02/2017 Registered Operator GoJet Pty Ltd
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-SLF

VH-SLJ
VH-FSX
VH-LJL
35-046 1976 04/03/1976 delivered BS Stillwell & Company
05/10/1979 to Wards Express
1982 to RAAF 6 Squadron under lease. Unlike VH-FOX (see above) VH-SLJ (and VH-SDN) had the camera mounted on the port side in place of the standard lower door/stairs. Check one of our photos of VH-SLJ and you will see a set of steps being used. The door fairing is visible in a photo of VH-SDN
Noted zapped with 2 Squadron fin flash
20/06/1986 to Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter
Operated by
Lloyd Aviation Air Target Services under contract to ADF
24/08/1992 registered VH-FSX to Fleet Support
04/02/1997 to Aeromil Australia
?/1997 registration changed to VH-LJL
16/10/1997 registered N58EM
22/03/2006 ran off runway Philadelphia Int. Ai
rport
05/3/2018 registration cancelled, aircraft status unknown.

Highlight for Album: Learjet 35A
                                  VH-SLJ/VH-FSX

Note there is a second Learjet registered as VH-SLJ (see below)

VH-SLJ 36-014 1975 11/1975 delivered Yankee Leasing Corporation as N900Y
1976 registered N200Y
?? to Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys
09/1986 to New Creations Inc.
10/1988 to Fly By Nite Air
11/1988 to Executive Express Charters Inc.
03/1991 to 200 Yankee Inc.
01/1995 to Aerocraft Sheet Metal Special
10/06/1996 to Hunter Aviation
12/09/1996 to Pel-Air Aviation
23/09/1996 registered VH-SLJ
In service with Navy Support Flight
09/09/2015 Jet Air Support contract awarded to Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd
Held in storage at Wagga airport
14/02/2017 Registered Operator GoJet Pty Ltd
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight for Album: Learjet 36
                                  VH-SLJ

VH-ULT
VH-FSW
VH-FSU
35-463 1982 ex-N1088D
09/03/1982 delivered to Stillwell Aviation as VH-ULT
21/03/1994 registered VH-FSW to Fleet Support
24/06/1994 registered VH-FSU to Fleet Support
11/02/1997 registered N68LL to McMillin Aircraft Inc
12/09/1997 to Hop-a-Jet Inc.
29/12/2005 registration changed to N699BA
16/02/2011 registered C-GTWX to Top Aces Inc.
01/02/2013 to Discovery Air Defence Services Inc. Pointe-Claire Quebec
08/3/2017 registration cancelled, aircraft status unknown.

Highlight for Album: Learjet
                                    VH-ULT/VH-FSU

VH-VLJ 35-432 1981 10/1981 delivered to Transair France as F-GDCN
12/1981 to Uni-Air
06/1983 to Avimart International
09/1983 registration changed to N4445Y
02/1986 to J.E.R. Chilton III
05/1987 registration changed to N3330BC
15/09/1994 to330BC Corporation
20/09/1995 registered VR-CAD to Northern Executive Aviation
09/04/1996 registration changed to G-HUGG
11/11/2003 registered VH-VLJ to JV Aviation Management Services Pty Ltd
02/10/2006 to Australasian Jet
26/10/2009
to JV Aviation Management Services Pty Ltd
09/11/2009 to Pratt Aviation Pty Ltd
18/12/2015 to Marcplan Charter
26/07/2017 ferried Essendon to Nowra bringing Air Affairs Australia's fleet to 14 jets
Currently part of Air Affairs fleet and may be used for the ADF Jet Air Support Contract

Highlight
                                  for Album: Learjet VH-VLJ

VH-YPT 35-366 1980 For details see VH-LJU above

     
     
 

Learjet N805M        Learjet
                  advert

 
     
 

In 1979 the Learjet Special Mission Aircraft N80SM toured Australia marketed at the surveillance and patrol sector.
In the early 1980s Stillwell Aviation actively tried to sell Learjets to the RAAF as a general purpose aircraft.

 
     

The current Air Affairs
                Australia Learjet fleet (front to rear) VH-LRX, VH-LJA,
                VH-JCR, VH-LPJ, VH-LJJ, VH-JCX, VH-OVB

 

   
 

The 2015/2016 Air Affairs Australia Learjet fleet (front to rear) VH-LRX, VH-LJA, VH-JCR, VH-LPJ, VH-LJJ, VH-JCX, VH-OVB
Since this photo was taken an additional three Learjets have been added in 2016 and another four in 2017;

Aircraft at rear is Air Affairs' Beech 200 VH-LAB
Serial BT-23.
It is a highly modified KingAir with camera ports, hardpoints (not currently fitted), various comms and equipment capabilities.
Also used to support the NAFC contract

Some details on specifications of the Air Affairs Australia fleet as of August 2017 (thanks to Mark Thoresen)
 

JCR, SLF, LFA, LJA have the increased MTOW of 19600lbs, the rest are standard 18300lb aircraft.

SLD, SLJ, LRX, JCR, LJJ, SLF, SLE, LPJ, JCX, and LJA all have hard points to carry the MTR reeling machine for target towing and the fire scanning pod.

SLD, SLJ, LRX, LJJ, LJU, OVB, SLF, SLE, VLJ, LFA, and JCX all have drag chutes, which are able to be replaced with the banner towing gear for air to air gunnery banner towing.

OVB, SLF, SLE and LPJ have the narrow 24" door the rest have the 36" door.

LRX and JCR have the LIFEPORT aeromedical system,

LJJ, LJU, LPJ and LPF all have aeromed capability.

LJA has the rear fuselage locker.

SLJ, SLD, JCR, LJJ, SLF, SLE, and LPJ have Marine radios, all aircraft except VLJ have UHF (VLJ is being modded).

JCR and LJA have extended tip tanks.

JCR, SLF, LFA, LPJ and LJA have the AVCON Fins

 
     
  Learjets VH-LRX and
                  VH-ESM Photo Air Affairs Australia  
     
  This photo shows Raytheon's VH-ESM with the AVCON fins and the extended tip tanks. It also has a rear radome fitted.
The other aircraft is Air Affairs Australia's VH-LRX. It carries an MTR-101 Reeling Machine on an under wing hard point.
This photo and heading photo courtesy of Air Affairs Australia.
 
     

Page Authors Martin Edwards and Brendan Cowan

Sources: CASA records, Australian Aviation Magazine, www.planelogger.com, www.rzjets.net, Raytheon Australia   Air Affairs (Australia) Pty Ltd  RAAF Museum website, ADF-Serials message board discussion

With thanks to Adam Clerget, Darren Crick, James Hollingworth, Dean Norman, Mathew Hawkins, Gordon Birkett, Jurgen van Toor, Kevin Kerle, Robert Brosing, Clive Lynch, Roger Johnson, Alan Allen, Rod Farquhar, Rene Sikkerle, Bert Dougdale, Brendan Cowan, Sid Mitchell, Jamie Gow, Jeremy Underwood, Mark Thoresen, Adam Ujma, Gavin Barnett.

Updated 11th May 2020


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