Rockwell Sabreliner

The twinjet trainer and business aircraft built for military and civil service

Overview

Rockwell United States ICAO: SBR1 1959–1982 Active $1.7 million (1980)

The Rockwell Sabreliner is a twin-engine jet originally developed as a military trainer and later adapted for business aviation. Designed in the late 1950s, it served both government and civilian operators for decades. The aircraft became one of the early pioneers of business jet travel.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney J60-P-3
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 3,000 lbf · 13 kN
Avionics
Collins ARINC avionics package
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
7
Crew
—
Cabin width
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Cabin height
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Cabin length
19 ft 8 in  ·  6.00 m
Exterior length
44 ft 0 in  ·  13.41 m
Tail height
16 ft 0 in  ·  4.88 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 11 in  ·  1.80 m
Wing span
44 ft 6 in  ·  13.56 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
23,800 lb  ·  10,800 kg
Max landing weight
21,800 lb  ·  9,850 kg
Max payload
2,150 lb  ·  1,000 kg
Fuel capacity
1,090 gal · 4,100 L · 3,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
478 kt  ·  550 mph  ·  885 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
98 kt  ·  113 mph  ·  181 km/h
Range
2,170 nm  ·  2,500 mi  ·  4,020 km
Fuel burn
2.04 nm/gal  ·  1.00 km/L
Ceiling
45,000 ft  ·  13,700 m
Rate of climb
4,700 ft/min  ·  24 m/s
Takeoff distance
5,300 ft  ·  1,620 m
Landing distance
2,350 ft  ·  720 m
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Rockwell Sabreliner ‘N265WS’

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Operational Context

Rockwell Sabreliner — twin-engine business and trainer jet

The Sabreliner first flew in 1958 as the North American NA-265 and entered U.S. Air Force service as the T-39 trainer in 1960. Civil versions soon followed, offering a pressurized cabin and swept-wing performance derived from military jet design. Over time, numerous variants were introduced with upgraded engines and avionics.

Powered by twin turbojet or later turbofan engines producing between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds of thrust (13 to 18 kN) each depending on model, the Sabreliner cruised at around 430 knots (800 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight typically ranged between 20,000 and 23,000 pounds (9,070 to 10,430 kg). The cabin accommodated up to eight passengers in executive layouts.

The Sabreliner served in training, liaison, and corporate transport roles for many years. Its adaptability and solid performance contributed to more than three decades of production. The aircraft helped establish the early business jet market in North America.

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