“It’s your jet,” says Audrey Horne to John Justice Wheeler after she stops his departure from the Twin Peaks Airport in Episode 2020 (Episode 27) of Twin Peaks. While researching that film location, I discovered that Wheeler’s plane has some unique connections to both Disco legends and a talking car from the 1980s.
The only time Wheeler’s plane is seen is in Episode 2020. Built in 1968, the fixed wing, multi-engine plane is a Learjet 24 with registration number N664C.
The plane was used by Clay Lacy Aviation for charter flights until 2008. For six years, the airplane sat in open air storage outside the Clay Lacy facility on the East side of the Van Nuys airport. On June 5, 2014, owner Clay Lacy donated the jet to North Valley Occupational Center-Aviation, an aviation maintenance school which is operated by the Los Angeles Unified School District adult education program.
A closer look at the photo by Mark Ollier shows the “Lacy Lear” script that is also seen in image above with J.J. Wheeler.
Later in Episode 2020, we get a better look at the Learjet 24.
A similar look at the Learjet is seen in this image from Clay Lacy Aviation.
Another look the airplane as Pete Martell’s truck pulls up to block Wheeler’s departure in Episode 2020.
This photo by Nick Dean shows the actual jet in the year 2000 at King County International Airport.
As mentioned, this plane has an interesting history that starts with an appearance in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” the 1978 musical spectacular featuring reinterpretations of over twenty classic Beatles songs. In the film, the airplane is used to carry the Bee Gees from their home in Heartland, USA.
The plane is also found in three episodes of the early 1980s television show Knight Rider. The first appearance is in Episode 2 (“Knight of the Phoenix, Part 2”) which aired on September 26, 1982.
The plane’s registration number – N664CL – can also be seen in this episode.
The second appearance is in Episode 12 (“A Plush Ride“) which aired on December 10, 1982.
The registration number can clearly be seen as the passengers disembark.
One final appearance of the plane in Knight Rider happens in Episode 17 of Season 1 (“The Topaz Connection“), which aired on January 28, 1983.
The airplane returned for a cameo in a Season 2 episode of Remington Steele titled, “Red Hot Steele” (Episode 3). Notice the tail registration above.
The plane supposedly also appears in the 1980 film “When Time Ran Out” staring Paul Newman and Jacqueline Bisset, but I was unable to find a reference photo (yet).
There are a handful of other airplanes that are seen in Episode 2020. Most of them are parked near the runway was Pete and Audrey race toward John Justice Wheeler’s jet. The first one I could identify has the registration number N3416T (seen far left above).
The plane is an 1967 Cessna 177 Cardinal which was seen at Whiteman Airport in 2008 by Steve Nation. Unfortunately, the plane received substantial damage due to a fire in September 2015.
The next plane – N34493 – is a 1976 Cessna 177RG which has since been deregistered with the FAA. I was unable to locate an actual photo of the plane.
Pete and Audrey fly by another plane with a tail registration N7827G, which is a 1973 Cessna 150L.
Photographer Paul James Mitchell took an image of the plane around 1975-76 at Tri City Airport, San Bernardino, California. The airplane has had several owners including Airborne Aviation Services which offers the plane for rent in Mariposa and Merced, California.
The final plane I identified is seen when Pete is startled by Wheeler’s jet taking off from the Twin Peaks Airport. The 1966 Champion 7ECA Traveller has the registration number N5174T. Sadly, I was not able to find an actual photograph of the plane but it appears to still be in use today.
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Thanks for posting photos of my 1966 Citabria 7ECA that was used in this episode. I got paid $200 from them to use as a prop for the day. I have some photos of the plane from the 1970’s when my Uncle owned it (B&W) and more current . I’ve owned it since 1988.
Thanks
@Scott – Wow!! Thank you for sharing these details. I love hearing stories like this, and I’m glad to virtually know you.