I've been in that thing. It's unbelivable. Those guys did an incredible job on it. Jim and Steve are two of the most easy going and good natured guys you'd ever want to meet as well; I'd bet if you called Jim, asked for a ride, and offered to buy the gas, he'd take you for a ride.

I've had my A* for just over two years and going on 400 hours. I love flying it and dealing with those guys at the factory is the most positive experience I've had thus far in aviation re: getting support. If those guys ever solve the range issue that's going to be a seriously desirable aircraft.

Miguel,

I don't have an answer to your question but...Welcome to Beech Talk!

Glenn

Patrick,

I believe that was Ted Smith original concept. I saw a small model of it at AAC (Aerostar Aircraft Corp.).

Glenn

Wow Glen, those videos are amazing! When you get yours I want a ride haha! We can climb up to 8k when hopping from brantford to tillsonburg!

Turboprop Aerostar has already been done at least once. I was a line boy in Starkville, MS in the early to mid 90s and I fueled one up with a pair of Allisons on it. I think it belonged to Davey Allison of NASCAR fame who was later killed when his helicopter got tangled up with a fence in Talladega.

It's a lack of turboprops in that range.

The Allison 250 derivative loses steam up high, the PT6's are too powerful. The RR300 is an option, but as we all know it's basically just a repainted Allison 250-C20. The Walter 601 would probably be the closest in power, but eastern block turbines don't sell in the US (even though it's certified). Honeywell bought Walter and developed it into the H80, but I've heard they jacked the prices up so much it's not even funny.

There's simply a lack of small and newer developed gas turbines on the market. All of the legacy designs are too powerful and at least 50 years old. Whoever develops and certifies a modern turboprop in the 200-400hp range will make a killing.

Rodolfo,

Only 8,000'??? Brantford-Tillsonburg is 22NM...with an Aerostar Jet we could get up into the Flight Levels

Glenn

Actually, it was General Electric Aviation that bought out Walter a few years ago, and then modified the Walter M601 into the H80 and certified it. The M601/H80 is similar size to the PT6. The price of the H80 is higher than the M601 was.

Holy Cow that is a beast of an Aerostar.
Great post Glenn, would look good in YQF

Awesome airplane! I think the problem with is going to be the conversion economics. It is going to be $2million by the time its done and will have to compete with used eclipses, mustangs phenoms, tbms, etc but will have a much older airframe and older avionics.

Now if they can sell new ones with g3000 avionics, 300 gallons, etc. for $2 million i think they would have a winner. However, i am not sure it is possible to sell it this low.

Regardless, the aerostar company rocks, maybe they can buy Eclipse Aero one day.

That jet is wild! As far as economics I would think developing the single engine turboprop idea would make more sense. Of course, the smartest course of action would be to just keep on flying with pistons slamming back and forth, but that airframe combined with Jet A sure is appealing.

I think that that’s a conundrum for many STC’ers…

Actually, it was General Electric Aviation that bought out Walter a few years ago, and then modified the Walter M601 into the H80 and certified it. The M601/H80 is similar size to the PT6. The price of the H80 is higher than the M601 was.

I think Bobby Allison's Allison powered bird was a real dog...lots slower than the piston one. For obvious reasons, the turbine is normally aspirated.

The Bobby Allison story is pretty sad. I think his son died and the dad pissed all his money away and is practically homeless. Neat guy though, lots of good stories about him.