PAINT MANUFACTURER Sherwin-Williams has become the first US operator of the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Astra SPX business jet.
The Mach 0.87 SPX has joined an Astra SP, based at the company's flight department and is expected to be flown for 400-500h a year. The Cleveland, Ohio-based paint maker is a long-time operator of IAI Westwinds and Astras.
Aviation department manager Dale Hood says that the SPX was chosen because of its combination of range, speed, climb rate and low fuel consumption.
The six- to nine-passenger SPX, powered by two AlliedSignal TFE731-40 turbofans, has a range of more than 5,550km (3,000nm), a Mach 0.82 cruise, and the aircraft can climb directly to 41,000ft (12,500m) in 26min at maximum weight, says IAI's marketing arm, Astra Jet.
Source: Flight International
