Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500

The short-body widebody built for long-range efficiency.

Overview

Lockheed Martin United States ICAO: L101 1968–1984 Active $200 million

The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500 was a shorter-range and shorter-fuselage variant of the TriStar widebody. Designed for medium and long-haul routes, it combined advanced systems with a trijet configuration. The aircraft entered service in the late 1970s.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
3 × Rolls-Royce RB.211-524B
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
3 × 50,000 lbf · 222 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
246 economy · 253 business · 234 first
Crew
—
Cabin width
19 ft 0 in  ·  5.80 m
Cabin height
7 ft 10 in  ·  2.40 m
Cabin length
135 ft 10 in  ·  41.40 m
Exterior length
164 ft 2 in  ·  50.05 m
Tail height
55 ft 1 in  ·  16.80 m
Fuselage diameter
19 ft 8 in  ·  6.00 m
Wing span
164 ft 4 in  ·  50.10 m
Baggage volume
14,832 ft³  ·  420.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
510,000 lb  ·  231,500 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
92,500 lb  ·  42,000 kg
Fuel capacity
31,650 gal · 119,800 L · 95,800 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
525 kt  ·  604 mph  ·  972 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
5,349 nm  ·  6,160 mi  ·  9,910 km
Fuel burn
0.12 nm/gal  ·  0.06 km/L
Ceiling
43,000 ft  ·  13,100 m
Rate of climb
2,820 ft/min  ·  14 m/s
Takeoff distance
7,950 ft  ·  2,430 m
Landing distance
5,700 ft  ·  1,730 m
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International Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500

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Operational Context

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500 — widebody trijet airliner

The TriStar 500 first flew in 1978 as a shortened derivative of earlier L-1011 models. It featured a reduced fuselage length to improve range efficiency on certain routes. The aircraft retained the three-engine configuration with one engine mounted in the tail.

Powered by three Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofan engines producing approximately 42,000 pounds of thrust (187 kN) each, the TriStar 500 cruised at around 520 knots (960 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 510,000 pounds (231,300 kg). Passenger capacity typically ranged from 200 to 230.

The TriStar family was known for advanced avionics and passenger comfort. Although production numbers were limited compared with competitors, the aircraft achieved a strong safety record. The 500 variant offered airlines flexibility on medium-density long-haul routes.