Magic Johnson is one of the most notable players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) of all time. Many consider Johnson to be the greatest point guard of all time, especially due to his great court vision and passing ability. Over his illustrious NBA career, he won three NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, three NBA Final MVPs, and was designated to the All-NBA First Team nine times. He was also selected to the NBA All-Star game twelve different times.
Johnson was born in Lansing, Michigan, on August 14, 1959. He found a love for basketball at an early age, idolizing Boston Celtic legend Bill Russell. By the time he was in high school, he had become well known for his playing abilities. He was given the nickname "Magic" as a sophomore after a game where he scored 36 points and 18 rebounds.
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After graduating from high school, Johnson decided to attend the nearby Michigan State University, which is located in East Lansing, Michigan. His playing ability improved during his years at college. During the 1978-1979 season, Johnson led the Michigan State Spartans to a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship, defeating Indiana State University, which was led by Larry Bird. He decided to enter the NBA Draft the following year.
Magic Johnson found himself as the number one overall NBA Draft pick in the 1979 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson initially struggled off the court, butting heads with the current head coach, Paul Westhead. Even so, the Lakers won the NBA Championship in his rookie year. After the 1981 season, the Lakers replaced Westhead with Pat Riley.
The following year, Johnson led the Lakers to an NBA Championship, in which he was named NBA Finals MVP. Throughout the 1980s, Johnson and the Lakers consistently found themselves facing off against the Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird. Johnson led the Lakers to three more NBA Championships during this time, in 1985, 1987, and 1988.
Gulfstream G-II(SP) Private
Photo: Jetphotos | Wikimedia Commons
Johnson retired abruptly in 1991, although he would play again in 1996 and then briefly in 1999. Overall, Johnson had one of the greatest NBA careers of all time. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. After he retired, Johnson became a prominent broadcaster and entrepreneur.
His various business deals include ownership stakes in the Los Angles Sparks, the Washington Commanders, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. These deals have allowed Johnson to accumulate a net worth of over $1.2 billion, making him one of the wealthiest basketball players of all time. Because of this extreme wealth, it is no wonder that he owns and operates a business jet. Let's take a closer look at this private jet, a Gulfstream III. Let's also take a closer look at some of the features that have made this aircraft such a popular option in the private aviation industry.
A look at Magic Johnson's private jet
Currently, Magic Johnson flies a Gulfstream III. According to Celebrity Private Jet Tracker, this aircraft has a registration of N32MJ. According to FlightAware, this Gulfstream II was first built in 1982 and has a serial number of 460. Additionally, the aircraft is officially registered with one of Magic Johnson's holding companies called Magic Johnson Entertainment, which is based in Los Angeles, California.
Although the Gulfstream III was only produced until 1986, the aircraft still boasts a range of 3,650 nautical miles (4,200 miles). This allows Johnson and his team to fly to a wide variety of destinations from his main residence near Los Angeles, California. For example, the aircraft can fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to anywhere in North America. It can also reach most of the Caribbean. However, the aircraft would need to connect to fly elsewhere in the world.
Phoenix Air Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A Gulfstream III (Reg: N198PA) on finals runway 31.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
Even so, Johnson and his team do not operate his aircraft too frequently, most likely due to its age, which reaches over forty years old. It has had only a few registered flights over the past year. According to Celebrity Private Jet Tracker, some of the airports that Johnson has flown his Gulfstream III to include:
How Gulfstream began development of the Gulfstream III
The Gulfstream III was one of the most prominent private jets in the early days of Gulfstream. However, the company began as a business segment of Grumman Aircraft Engineering. In the late 1950s, Grumman, which was known for its production of military aircraft, began the development of a business aircraft. The first aircraft that Grumman engineers developed was a twin turboprop business aircraft called the Grumman Gulfstream I.
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The Grumman Gulfstream I could seat up to twelve passengers. It also had the ability to fly at a top speed of 305 knots (350 miles per hour) and had a range of 1,910 nautical miles (2,200 miles). This aircraft was an immediate success, especially around the company's headquarters in the northeastern United States.
Because of the business aircraft's success, Grumman decided to set up a separate business segment in Savannah, Georgia, beginning in 1966. This newly developed company began production of its first private jet, called the Gulfstream II. This aircraft also saw success in the private aviation industry.
United States Navy Gulfstream Aerospace C-20A Gulfstream III
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
Production of the Gulfstream II lasted until 1977. However, new project development moved slowly throughout the 1970s. Because of this, Grumman merged American Aviation Corporation with its Gulfstream segment. In 1978, American Jet Industries, which was owned by the legendary entrepreneur, Allen Paulson. This new company was officially renamed to Gulfstream American. Under Paulson's guidance, Gulfstream American immediately refocused on defining the private aviation industry. The company's first goal under its new ownership was to develop the Gulfstream III.
A brief history of the Gulfstream III
Initial concepts of a new business jet began in the 1970s. Gulfstream American collaborated with Grumman engineers to research a new wing design. The company intended to utilize a NASA supercritical airfoil along the wing and implement winglets. However, the research concluded that the company could utilize the majority of the Gulfstream II's wings with major upgrades.
The company continued development of the aircraft throughout the 1970s, especially under the guidance of Paulson and as the company changed to Gulfstream American. The first prototype conducted its maiden flight on December 2, 1979. The aircraft was certified the following year, and it was introduced in 1980.
NASA Gulfstream G-III
Photo: NASA
The aircraft was only produced from 1980 through 1986. Even so, Gulfstream produced over 200 aircraft for a variety of operators. This includes multiple military and government programs. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operates several Gulfstream IIIs. These aircraft were fitted with new technology, such as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) pod and the Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface (AirMOSS) pod, for providing different environmental data readings. Some of the militaries operating these aircraft include:
Royal Danish Air Force
Indian Air Force
Italian Air Force
Mexican Air Force
Royal Moroccan Air Force
US Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard
Notable design features and performance specifications of the Gulfstream III
As previously mentioned, the Gulfstream III was based on the successful Gulfstream II. However, the Gulfstream III incorporated several major upgrades, many of which were focused on developing the wing further. Overall, the Gulfstream III has a wingspan that is approximately six feet longer than the Gulfstream II. This includes large winglets and a longer leading edge.
Raimund Stehmann | Wikimedia Commons<\/a>""> Photo: Raimund Stehmann | Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, the Gulfstream III has a fuselage that is two feet longer, all of which is lengthened behind the main cabin door. It also features a longer nose with a curved windshield. Overall, the interior cabin can fit approximately 14 passengers depending on the interior configuration. Many customers use the cabin for a double-club configuration or for a double-couch layout. It also features a standard lavatory, among other features.
Beyond structural changes, the Gulfstream III features many upgrades inside the cockpit. The original Gulfstream III featured a Sperry SPZ-800 avionics suite. This aircraft also comes equipped with Collins Pro Line 2 radios. Newer Gulfstream III variants were equipped with a Honeywell Planeview Avionics Suite, which features a four-screen electronic flight instrument system (EFIS).
The Gulfstream III is powered by two large Rolls-Royce Spey RB.163 MK 511-8 turbofan engines. These efficient engines provide the aircraft with over 11,000 pounds of thrust each. These engines, along with many of the aerodynamic upgrades, help the aircraft achieve the following performance specifications:
Length
Height
Wingspan
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
Maximum speed
Typical cruise speed
Range
Service ceiling