New/Improved Aerostar?
07-31-2011, 03:38 PM
#1
Flying Farmer
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
New/Improved Aerostar?
Would you fly it? I think it'd be fun for a spin, but beyound that no idea. I just don't see this fitting into many Flight Departments mission either.
Video: Aerostar 340-Knot Jet Debut at AirVenture Oshkosh
Video: Aerostar 340-Knot Jet Debut at AirVenture Oshkosh
07-31-2011, 06:04 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: The Far Side
Posts: 968
Lifts off at 90 knots? What's Vmca now? The engines are relatively close in, at least.
What's it pressurize to? How secure is that entry door - it's right next to the pilot? I'm not trying to be hypercritical, but I never flew the 600/601 and just don't know.
Unless some more fuel is added it seems to be something of a bottle rocket.
What's it pressurize to? How secure is that entry door - it's right next to the pilot? I'm not trying to be hypercritical, but I never flew the 600/601 and just don't know.
Unless some more fuel is added it seems to be something of a bottle rocket.
Last edited by rotorhead1026; 07-31-2011 at 06:46 PM.
08-01-2011, 09:45 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,999
A bit of trivia for you Aerostar buffs out there. One of Ted Smith’s dreams for the Aerostar was to have it powered with a pair of Avco Lycoming jet engines mounted on top of the wings. The 800 flew as a prototype after a few years after the operation was moved to Santa Maria California. It was powered by a pair of Lycomings boasting 400 hp a side. Had the chance to see the 800 do some flybys. Very impressive throaty sound those engines had.
Eventually he was going to hang Avco Lycoming Turbo Props. Unfortunately he never lived to see his dream come true. The man was a genius and truly designed the 99.9 percent pure twin.
Flying Magazine produced a very nice article about a man and his dream in the early ‘70s.
I remember flying the good old 601A, with electrically conrolled Ray Jays, out running King Aires and older 680Vs and 680Ws. Always carried spare nose wheel steering pins as they were busted by many a tug operator when parking the plane.
Eventually he was going to hang Avco Lycoming Turbo Props. Unfortunately he never lived to see his dream come true. The man was a genius and truly designed the 99.9 percent pure twin.
Flying Magazine produced a very nice article about a man and his dream in the early ‘70s.
I remember flying the good old 601A, with electrically conrolled Ray Jays, out running King Aires and older 680Vs and 680Ws. Always carried spare nose wheel steering pins as they were busted by many a tug operator when parking the plane.
Last edited by captjns; 08-01-2011 at 09:18 PM.
08-01-2011, 11:31 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: The Far Side
Posts: 968
I'm told - but can't verify it - that Ted intended for the Aerostar to eventually be jet powered.
Smith worked for Douglas at one time, but the proportional similarity between the Aerostar and the Martin B-26 is interesting.
Smith worked for Douglas at one time, but the proportional similarity between the Aerostar and the Martin B-26 is interesting.
