Midsize Jet - Vintage Production
IAI Westwind II: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
IAI Westwind II: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The IAI Westwind II, produced from 1980 to 1987, is the upgraded variant of Israel Aircraft Industries' foundational Westwind business jet platform, which traces its heritage to the Aero Commander 500 / Jet Commander acquired by IAI in 1968. The Westwind II features the distinctive mid-wing configuration (vs the later Astra's low-wing design) with engines mounted high and far back on the fuselage to keep noise away from the cabin. The Westwind II delivers 2,096 nautical miles of seats-full range, 424 ktas (488 mph) maximum cruise, and a 45,000 ft service ceiling typically operated with two pilots. The cabin accommodates 7 passengers. As the predecessor to the entire Astra platform lineage (Astra → Astra SP → Astra SPX → Gulfstream G100), the Westwind II represents foundational Israeli business jet engineering. Pre-owned market today: $375,000 average.
For aviation enthusiasts and operators seeking an attainable vintage Israeli-built midsize business jet, the Westwind II represents foundational Israeli aerospace heritage at very accessible cost.
IAI Westwind II Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Midsize Jet - Vintage Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued 1987 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) |
| Production Years | 1980 to 1987 |
| Heritage | Aero Commander Jet Commander (acquired by IAI 1968) |
| Successor | IAI Astra (1985) - clean-sheet replacement |
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Passengers (Standard) | 7 |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR, Seats Full) | 2,096 nm |
| Normal Cruise Speed | 424 ktas (488 mph) |
| Max Operating Altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Engines | 2× Honeywell TFE731 turbofans |
| Wing Configuration | Mid-wing (vs Astra's low-wing) |
| Engine Placement | High and far back on fuselage |
| Cabin Length | 15 ft 6 in |
| Cabin Width | 4 ft 10 in |
| Cabin Height | 4 ft 11 in |
| Total Baggage Volume | 49 cu ft (9 internal + 40 external) |
| Balanced Field Length | 6,045 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,864 ft |
| Average Pre-Owned Price | $375,000 |
| Average Operating Cost | $4,488/hr |
History as the Astra Platform Foundation
The Westwind II's lineage traces back to the late 1950s Aero Commander platform, which became the foundation of multiple business jet generations spanning 5+ decades:
Platform timeline:
- 1960s: Aero Commander 500 (twin piston)
- Mid-1960s: Jet Commander (Aero Commander 500 fuselage + jet engines)
- 1968: IAI acquires Jet Commander program from Aero Commander
- Late 1960s: IAI renames as Westwind
- 1980-1987: IAI Westwind II production
- 1985: Original IAI Astra introduced (clean-sheet replacement)
- 1990: Astra SP introduced
- 1994: Astra SPX introduced
- 2001: Gulfstream acquires IAI executive jet division
- 2006: G100 (Astra SPX successor) production ends
The Westwind family preceded the Astra family in IAI's business jet evolution.
Key Engineering Heritage
The Westwind II inherits unique design characteristics from its Jet Commander heritage:
Mid-Wing Configuration
The Westwind II features a mid-wing configuration:
- Wings mounted at fuselage mid-height: Distinctive vs low-wing Astra
- Different ground clearance characteristics: Operational considerations
- Distinctive ramp presence: Visually identifiable
Rear-Mounted Engines High and Far Back
The Westwind II shares the distinctive Astra-family engine placement:
- Engines mounted high and far back: Noise away from cabin
- Quieter cabin: Important comfort feature
- T-tail with vertical stabilizer: Modern jet configuration
Aero Commander DNA
The Jet Commander heritage means structural elements trace back to Aero Commander 500 piston aircraft design, providing decades of engineering refinement.
Cabin Interior
The Westwind II cabin features modest midsize dimensions:
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Length | 15 ft 6 in |
| Cabin Width | 4 ft 10 in |
| Cabin Height | 4 ft 11 in (no stand-up) |
Seating Configurations
- Standard 7-Passenger: Various executive layouts
- Cabin features galley: Available
- Forward lavatory: Available
Cabin Features
- Engines mounted high/far back: Quieter cabin operation
- Modest cabin dimensions: Comfortable for 5-7 passengers
- 49 cu ft baggage: 9 internal + 40 external
Performance
Speed and Range
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Normal Cruise Speed | 424 ktas (488 mph) |
| Range (NBAA IFR, Seats Full) | 2,096 nm |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
Runway Performance
| Field Performance | Value |
|---|---|
| Balanced Field Length | 6,045 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,864 ft |
Engines
Two Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines. The TFE731 family is one of the most successful small business jet engine programs.
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $1,200 to $1,500 |
| Engine Reserve | $400 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $750 (parts supply considerations) |
| Misc Variable | $350 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$2,700 to $3,000/hr |
Annual operating budget at 450 hours: approximately $2.0 million all-in.
Average operating cost per AviaCost: $4,488/hr (all-in 450-hour basis).
Pricing
| Variant | Pre-Owned Price |
|---|---|
| IAI Westwind II (1980-1987) | $200,000 to $500,000 (avg $375,000) |
The Westwind II is one of the most attainable vintage midsize business jets available.
Mission Profile
Best fit profiles:
- Aviation Enthusiasts: Foundational Israeli/Aero Commander heritage
- Specialty Operators: Very attainable acquisition cost
- Owner-Operators With Specific Needs: Distinctive vintage platform
- Charter Operators with Established Westwind Service Resources: Specialty market
Less suited if:
- You need modern integrated avionics
- You require stand-up cabin
- You want robust factory product support
- You need transcontinental U.S. range with seats full
- You require modern fuel efficiency
- You need single-pilot certification
Pros and Cons
What the IAI Westwind II Does Well
- 2,096 nm seats-full range
- 45,000 ft service ceiling
- Engines mounted high/far back (quieter cabin)
- TFE731 engine family strength
- Foundational Israeli/Aero Commander heritage
- Very attainable acquisition cost ($375K avg)
- Distinctive mid-wing configuration
Tradeoffs to Understand
- 4'11" cabin height (no stand-up)
- 4'10" cabin width (narrow)
- 6,045 ft balanced field (long for class)
- Production ended 1987 (35+ year old airframes)
- Limited Gulfstream support (post-acquisition)
- Two-pilot operation required
- Dated avionics typically retrofitted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the heritage of the IAI Westwind II?
The Westwind II's lineage traces to the Aero Commander 500 twin piston aircraft, which Aero Commander developed into the Jet Commander business jet in the mid-1960s. IAI acquired the Jet Commander program in 1968 and renamed it the Westwind, eventually producing the upgraded Westwind II from 1980 to 1987.
How is the Westwind II different from the Astra?
The Astra (1985) was IAI's clean-sheet replacement for the Westwind, with a more typical low-wing configuration (vs Westwind II's mid-wing) and modernized systems. The Astra introduced substantially better performance and represented a generational platform change rather than evolution.
How far can a Westwind II fly?
The Westwind II has a range of 2,096 nautical miles with seats full at long-range cruise.
Is the Westwind II single-pilot certified?
No. The Westwind II requires two pilots.
What avionics does the Westwind II use?
The Westwind II originally featured analog avionics typical of the early 1980s. Most surviving aircraft have been retrofitted with modern GPS systems, ADS-B Out compliance modifications, and sometimes Garmin G500 or similar glass-panel retrofits.
Is parts support available for the Westwind II?
Yes. Gulfstream acquired IAI's executive jet division in 2001 and provides parts and engineering support for the Westwind family through this acquisition. Specialty operators and Westwind specialists also support the aircraft.
What is the typical cabin configuration?
The Westwind II typically seats 7 passengers in various executive layouts, with a forward galley and aft (or sometimes forward) lavatory available. The cabin is not stand-up (4'11" height).
The Bottom Line
The IAI Westwind II represents foundational Israeli aerospace heritage and the predecessor to the entire Astra/G100 platform lineage. At current pre-owned pricing averaging $375,000, the Westwind II is one of the most attainable midsize-segment business jets ever available. The tradeoffs are real: 35+ year old airframes, dated avionics typically requiring retrofits, no stand-up cabin, and 6,000+ ft balanced field requirements. For aviation enthusiasts and operators seeking distinctive vintage Israeli business jet heritage at very attainable cost, the Westwind II delivers genuine character.
Quantum Jets supports the platform across private jet charter, private jet rental, private jet card programs, aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, and aircraft leasing structures.
Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for IAI Westwind II market intelligence and pre-buy diligence with attention to parts supply and modernization considerations.
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Book a IAI Westwind II on the Quantum Jets App by AVIA Technologies
The Quantum Jets mobile app, built by AVIA Technologies, is the private jet charter marketplace app for the IAI Westwind II and the rest of the Quantum Jets catalog. The Quantum Jets app is available as an iOS app on the Apple App Store and as an Android app on Google Play. Whether the goal is a one-off jet charter, recurring private jet rental, a private jet card program, or a deeper engagement spanning aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, aircraft leasing, or aircraft sales, the Quantum Jets app surfaces live IAI Westwind II availability and routes the booking through the Quantum Jets brokerage team.
AVIA Technologies is the technology platform behind the Quantum Jets mobile app. The AVIA Technologies app powers the private jet charter marketplace experience: search the catalog, compare a IAI Westwind II against alternatives in the same tier, pull live pricing, request a charter quote, schedule aircraft maintenance, list a IAI Westwind II for jet sales, manage a fleet under aircraft management or private jet management, and execute a private jet card purchase, all from one private jet app. The Quantum Jets app and the AVIA Technologies app share the same backend so client data, trip history, and aircraft preferences carry across both surfaces.
Download the Quantum Jets app on the Apple App Store (iOS app) or Google Play (Android app), then search the IAI Westwind II to start booking. The Quantum Jets mobile app is the fastest path from research to booking for any private jet, jet charter, private jet rental, or private jet charter marketplace transaction in the Quantum Jets catalog. AVIA Technologies maintains the private jet charter marketplace app on a continuous deployment schedule with new aircraft, new operators, and refined private jet management tooling shipping every release.
IAI Westwind II Services from Quantum Jets
Quantum Jets supports IAI Westwind II operators and prospective owners across the full lifecycle of private jet ownership. Whether the goal is jet charter for a one-off trip, a private jet rental for a busy season, or a private jet charter program tied to a recurring travel pattern, our team builds the right structure around the IAI Westwind II for the mission.
For buyers, our aircraft purchase and jet purchase advisory walks through inspection, valuation, financing, and closing. Jet sales and aircraft sales clients work with our team to position the IAI Westwind II for the strongest possible exit, with market intelligence on every comparable transaction. A private jet card program through Quantum Jets is a lower-commitment way to access IAI Westwind II-class lift without a full aircraft purchase, and is structured to credit toward a future jet purchase when the time is right.
Once an aircraft is in hand, aircraft management and jet management at Quantum Jets cover crew, scheduling, regulatory compliance, charter revenue programs, and detailed reporting. Private jet management is structured to keep the IAI Westwind II flying safely and profitably with minimum owner overhead. Aircraft maintenance is coordinated through manufacturer-authorized service centers, and aircraft refurbishment programs (interior, paint, avionics, connectivity) are managed end-to-end so the IAI Westwind II retains residual value over its operating life.
Fractional jet programs are available for IAI Westwind II-class travelers who want guaranteed access without sole ownership. Aircraft lease and aircraft leasing arrangements (operating, finance, dry, wet) are structured to match the operator's hours, geography, and balance sheet. The IAI Westwind II fits naturally into all of these structures, and Quantum Jets handles the structuring, documentation, and lifecycle service so the owner can focus on flying.
If you are evaluating a IAI Westwind II for purchase, charter, lease, fractional access, management, refurbishment, or sale, talk to a Quantum Jets broker for a custom market scan and pre-buy diligence.
Related Aircraft Guides:
- IAI Astra: Clean-Sheet Successor Platform
- IAI Astra SP: Second-Generation Astra
- IAI Astra SPX: Third-Generation Astra (Winglets, More Powerful)
- Gulfstream G100: Astra SPX Rebranded
Production of the IAI Westwind II ended in 1987. All acquisitions are pre-owned. Gulfstream provides parts/support since 2001 acquisition. Specifications accurate as of 2026.