Bobby Labonte’s N100BL Learjet 31A

The Learjet 31A is an extremely versatile corporate jet that normally seats 6 passengers and one or two crew members.

The jet is pictured here sitting at Jackson County Airport in Michigan awaiting departure.

It’s a fast jet that cruises at 596 mph at an altitude of 45,000 feet. The 31A is rated up to 51,000 feet in the event of bad weather or heavy traffic patterns.

This 1996 Learjet 31A is owned by NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte. Here is the official registration info according to the FAA:

Owner:

Bobby Labonte Enterprises

403 Interstate Drive

Archdale, North Carolina 27263

Serial No.:  126

Certificate Issue Date: 5/14/2002

Model S Code: 5002330

N100BL is powered by two Allied Signal TFE 731 2-B turbo-fan engines.

The Learjet 31A is a pretty popular jet in the NASCAR Air Force. Here are a few people who won one:

Denny Hamlin

Rusty Wallace

Kevin Harvick

Teresa Earnhardt has a Learjet 31.

A jet like this normally goes for $3 to $3.5 million on the used aircraft market.

Photo courtesy Woody Harrington.

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N119ES is Elliott Sadler’s Jet

It’s a 1990 Cessna Citation III Turbo-fan jet registered to Elliott Sadler Enterprises in Emporia, Virginia. The airplane is shown here preparing to depart Michigan’s Jackson County Airport following the NASCAR race.

This jet was once the executive jet for First Tennessee Bank before Sadler acquired it in February 2007 and pressed it into service as a commuter jet for weekly transportation to NASCAR events.

The Citation III is a small corporate jet that normally seats six passengers, plus a crew of two.

The Citation III has a cruise speed of 544 mph.

Its range is 2,345 miles before the jet needs to land and take on more Jet A fuel.

That means it get passengers quickly across country quickly. The plane can fly non-stop on all but the longest trans-continental and international flights.

The jet is powered by twin Garrett TFI 731 series jet engines.

Manufacturer’s serial number is 650-0206.

The Citation III can fly at a maximum ceiling of 51,000 feet - well above the commercial airline traffic lanes, and over most weather systems.

It can reach that altitude quickly. This jet climbs at a rate of 3,700 feet per minute.

Want to but a Citation III? This jet normally sells for $3 to $4 million on the open market, depending on the number of hours and cycles on the plane, and the cabin amenities.

Photo courtesy Woody Harrington

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Helicopters Ready To Go

A fleet of helicopters prepares to leave after spending the day ferrying NASCAR drivers between Michigan International Speedway and Jackson County Airport in Jackson, Michigan.

Some speedways like Atlanta, Talladega and Daytona have airports that are practically in the parking lot. Others, like Michigan, rely on helicopters to get drivers and team members from the speedway back to their private jets.

When the job is done the choppers are loaded onto trailers and head for their next assignment.

Photo courtesy Woody Harrington

New Dale Jr Zippo Styles

1965 Hawker DH 125-1A Jet

I was on eBay Motors looking at the vintage stock cars when I came across this Hawker jet for sale. The seller has it listed with a Buy It Now price of $75,000 — but it needs a 48 month inspection performed before the FAA will issue an airworthiness certificate. That costs about $50,000.

It’s equipped with twin Viper 521 engines, and has new cabin seating and carpet. The plane was last flown 8 years ago. The eBay listing has 13 photos showing the interior and exterior..

It’s really not a bad price for this jet — just be prepared to invest the money to get it flying again.

See this jet on eBay

Kasey Kahne’s N91KK Cessna Citation

Enlarge photo

N91KK is seen here departing Jackson County Airport in Jackson Michigan, following the 3M Performance 400, and headed to Statesville, North Carolina.

Kasey Kahne flies in this 1991 Cessna Citation III 650. According to FAA records, the plane is owned by KK9 LLC, a North Carolina business entity headed by Kahne, located at 296 Cayuga Drive, Mooresville, North Carolina.

A Citation III is a mid-size jet that is big enough to be comfortable on long flights, yet small enough to fast and fuel efficient. Its size also allows Kasey to fly into smaller, more remote airfields than many larger jets are able to.

This aircraft can seat up to eleven passengers, plus a crew of two in high density configuration. However a typical corporate seating configuration would provide comfortable seating for six in a club setting with opposing seats.

It cruises at 544 mph, and has a range of up to 2,345 miles depending on weather conditions, altitude and payload.

N91KK is powered by a pair of Garrett TFE 731 SER turbofan jet engines which produce 3700 lbs. of thrust each. These engines are known for reliability, noise abatement and excellent fuel economy. The engines were originally produced by Garrett - now a division of Honeywell.

These high performance engines have allowed the Citation 650 to become an industry leader in aircraft performance. This jet excels both in cruise speed, efficiency, and rate of climb to cruising altitude.

It has a maximum operating ceiling of 51,000 feet, allowing Kahne and his pilot to fly over clouds and weather to get to their destination on time - which is important when you’re on a tight schedule or deadline.

A 1991 Cessna Citation III like this one typically sells for around $4 million, depending on the number of hours on the jet, its cabin amenities, and whether or not it is due any major service.

If you want to fly in a Citation III you can charter one at NetJets or Blue Sky Jets.

Aircraft Details

Serial Number: 650-0193

Manufacturer: Cessna

Model: Citation III 650

MFR Year: 1991

Model S Code: 53112475

Registered Owner: KK9 LLC

Address: 296 Cayuga Drive

City / State: Mooresville, North Carolina

Photo courtesy Woody Harrington.

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N1DE Learjet 31

Teresa Earnhardt’s Learjet 31 taxis at Daytona Beach International Airport.

It’s hard to go wrong when you choose a Learjet 31 as your private jet. Teresa Earnhardt flies in this 1990 Lear 31.

Like most executive jet owners she owns the jet through a separate corporation. This Learjet is registered to Champion Air, LLC, located at 1675 Coddle Creek Highway, Mooresville, NC - which also happens to be the address for Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

This jet carries the FAA registration number N1DE on its tail. It’s like getting a vanity plate for your car - only from the FAA. The number 1 signifies the first car that Dale Earnhardt fielded as a NASCAR team owner - and D E for Dale Earnhardt.

It’s not the biggest plane on the NASCAR circuit, but this airplane is definitely quick and versatile.

This Learjet 31 is a fast jet capable of transporting up to 8 passengers plus crew at speeds up to 529 mph. However, it’s a cramped ride with 8 on board. Depending on the seating configuration 4 to 6 passengers would typically be the maximum for a comfortable flight.

With a high service ceiling of 51,000 feet the Learjet 31 can climb above most weather systems and avoid the high-traffic commercial jet zones.

This jet is popular with business executives and aircraft charter firms alike. You can charter a Learjet 31 from companies like NetJets, Sentient or Skyline Jets - or you can write a check for $2 to 3 million and own your own jet.

Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick also own Learjet 31’s.

Dale Earnhardt always preferred Learjets, and apparently that wasn’t lost on his son. Dale Jr owns a larger Lear 60. Could Teresa afford to upgrade to a 60? Most likely she could. But a bigger jet doesn’t always make more sense. Sure, you can haul more people, and have more room on a bigger jet. But the smaller Learjet 31 has shorter takeoff and landing requirements, making it suitable for smaller airports. It also flies on less fuel

With a small jet it makes it easier to say no to requests for extra passengers, too.

Photo courtesy Daniel Compton.

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Roush Fenway Racing’s Beechcraft 390 Premier 1

The Premier 1 is a light corporate jet with seating for 6 passengers, plus a crew of 2 — although it is certified for operation by a single pilot.

About the Beechcraft Premier 1

The Beechcraft 390 Premier 1 is an advanced jet constructed of a composite fuselage that saves weight, increases fuel efficiency, and allows more cabin room inside the plane.

It’s powered by a pair of WilliamsRolls FJ442A Turbo-fan engines.

The plane has a high-speed cruising rate of 519 mph. It’s certified to fly at altitudes of up to 41,000 feet.

Here is Roush Fenway Racing’s Premier 1. This photo was taken at Fleming Mason Airport in Kentucky on August 31, 2007. Photo courtesy Mike Day, Flemingsburg, KY.

Here’s how Mike described the scene:

Whilst monitoring flightaware.com. I noticed that N38RY a Beechcraft owned by Robert Yates Racing, was going into my local field.

I went down to see if I could get a decent image of that, which I could not, but whilst there, got a good shot of the Roush Racing’s Premier 1, which had been in and out for a few days (think Jack Roush was born, or got tie’s to a local town nearby).

There were lots of people around, some dressed well, and the following morning a Chartered Learjet arrived from the Detroit area with more people on board, again all dressed in suits and ties.

Guess they were all in for either a wedding or a funeral.

Hope all the info and photo helps.

Israel Aircraft Industries 1124 Westwind 1

Richard Petty's Westwind jet

Richard Petty owns this IAI 1124 Westwind 1 corporate jet, but if you see the jet you’ll know that. TheFAA registration number on this airplane is N43RP. The logo on the tail identifies this aircraft as well.

Here’s the jet sitting on the ramp at Daytona Beach International Airport in Florida.

The 1124 Westwind 1 is a light business class private jet that seats up to 10 passengers, plus a crew of 2. This private jet is manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries.

The Westwind 1 has a maximum speed of 544 mph, and can fly 2,770 miles without refueling. The fast speed of this jet, combined with its trans-continental range makes it an ideal aircraft for busy executives needing to travel quickly across country.

While this jet can carry up to 10 passengers, typical corporate configuration on this aircraft is 7 passengers.

The airplane is capable of flying at ceilings of up to 45,000 feet - allowing it to easily navigate over weather systems.

The Westwind 1 has a wingspan of 44 ft., 5 in. Overall length on the aircraft is 52 ft., 3 in, and its height is 15 ft., 10 in.

Petty’s jet is powered by twin Garrett TFE 731 SER turbo-fan jet engines. That’s the same engine used on the Learjet 35. The engines combine low noise and fuel-efficiency, making them a great choice for private jets flying into remote locations.

Photo courtesy Daniel Compton.

King Air Is Ultimate Jet Alternative

This 1981 Beechcraft 200 Super King Air is part of the Richard Childress Racing fleet of aircraft.

This plane is a great choice for race teams who need to transport small groups over relatively short distances quickly.

The flight time difference between a Beechcraft 200 and a Cessna Citation jet would be fairly small on a 600 mile flight, but the cost of operating the turbo-prop powered Beechcraft would be much less than the jet.

While the Beechcraft might not be the best choice for west coast runs from Charlotte to California Speedway or Las Vegas, it’s well suited for short hops to Richmond, Talladega, Atlanta and Daytona.

This plane is registered to RCR Air, LLC at 1307 Aviation Way, Lexington, North Carolina. They’ve owned the plane since 1997.

With over 1500 units in service today, this airplane is the best selling and most popular turbo-prop aircraft in the world.

The Beech 200 is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney PT6A 42 turbo-prop engines which produce 850 HP each.

This airplane has a cruising speed of 320 MPH, and can achieve a top speed of 333 MPH.

It has a range of up to 1,887 nautical miles before needing refueling.

Depending on the cabin configuration the 200 can seat 8 to 12 passengers, plus a crew of 2. However, that’s a crowd on board this aircraft. Typical corporate seating arrangements will give comfortable seating for 6.

The King Air 200 is easily recognizable in the skies with it’s distinctive high-mounted T Tail.

The Beechcraft 200 can be flown with a crew of only 1 pilot, however many operators choose to fly with the services of a co-pilot. When no co-pilot is on board an additional passenger can be seated in the flight deck.

The King Air 200 was first introduced to the market in 1980. This RCR plane was manufactured in 1981.

Similar aircraft typically sell for $1,200,000 to $1,900,000 depending on the overall flight time and level of maintenance.

Photo courtesy of Lynn Sandell of NascarDevos.com

New York City and Manhattan Jet Charters

Whoever said “getting there is half the fun” must have been flying on a chartered jet. Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, your flight to New York will be more enjoyable on a private jet.

You can charter a private jet and arrive in New York on a Learjet, a Cessna Citation or a Falcon Jet. That will definitely make a better impression than arriving on Delta or American Airlines - especially if you have business in New York with a Wall Street investment banker or Madison Avenue advertising executive.

Even if you’re headed to New York to visit Broadway, see the Empire State Building and stroll through Central Park, your time in Manhattan will be more memorable when you travel there on a private jet.

You can charter a private jet with Blue Star Jets, Sentient or NetJets on short notice and get to New York quickly and conveniently.

The easiest way to get to New York City is to fly in to Teterboro Airport on a private jet, then take a helicopter to either the Wall Street or 34^th street heliport - or just hop in a taxi or limo when you climb out of your jet.

It’s only 5 nautical miles to midtown Manhattan in New York from Teterboro Airport, and the helicopter flight takes just minutes.

LaGuardia Airport is also convenient to New York City by car or helicopter - and LaGuardia is an International Airport, so if you’re inbound to New York from abroad you may want to choose LaGuardia as your destination

You can charter a jet to New York for less than you think these days - especially when you compare the cost against business class or first class airfares on any of the major airlines, and you factor in the time and convenience savings.

A small group of people traveling together may be able to charter a jet for the price of 4 to 6 airline tickets.

Business executives will find another major advantage to private executive jet travel. Time spent on the flight can be spent meeting with colleagues and clients in a relaxed setting where real business can get done. The privacy of an executive jet cabin just can’t be beat.

So before heading to New York check the airline fares first, then get a quote for a chartered jet flight from NetJets, Sentient or Blue Star Jets.