There were some great... And terrible picks!

No way that was a cohesive effort. More like: Bob, you take the first 5; June, you take six thru 10....

Always makes me sad to think of the Concorde not flying anymore....

Raj,

Welcome to BT. Based on the join date you have been a member for a bit, how about some history of how you got two Starships and a few more pics (please).

Tim

This is how you make an entrance in style!

This is how you make an entrance in style!

I apologize for taking 5 years to post. It has been super hectic with work of course and trying to get 2 starships flying and keep them flying. We got NC-50 in 2011 (she wasn't being flown) much and have been flying her about 300 hours a year. NC-33 joined the fleet this year and we are just getting her up and flying after a 5-7 year hiatus. Working through all the bugs of course.

Why the starship - it is an airplane I have loved since I was young and in school. Working in the aerospace industry for the past 20 years with all these metal airplanes (we are in the aero-engineering business) I knew that composites was the way to go and to keep the inspection and maintenance costs down. Something that most people don't think about really till its too late. Just ask the Citation or Gulfstream guys. Anyway, have loved the design, extreme amounts of power, overbuilt nature, massive redundancy of the airframe. Albeit its not supported of course, the starship is an engineers and pilots dream to fly since it has so many robust features for a 330 knot airplane that can get up to 41.0 and be operated single pilot. Then again we do all the work and upkeep on the airplanes ourselves here in Dallas. It can be very rewarding and frustrating all at the same time. #1 dislike on the Starship - the environmental control system seems to come straight from a Tupelov.
everything else - built like brick - you know what. The old adage holds true. There is nothing like having tons of horsepower, and then some more.....

so long story... I will try and post a few pictures and you can also go to this link for a few more -

http://www.aerospaceqrd.com

we fly NC-33 and NC-50 almost every other week so hopefully I will run into some of the forum members and please say hello. We are huge fans of General Aviation, Beechcraft (before RAC), and the Starship.

I have posted some pictures and will try and post a few more over time.

raj
http://www.aerospaceqrd.com

WOW! Great photos and so glad to hear you are keeping them in the air. What a magnificent aircraft.... Thank you Raj!

I love the looks of the Starship.

And welcome to Beechtalk. That's quite an entrance.

Holy mackerel!
We need a Max type gathering wherever in TX these are based! I'm in.
I would pay for a ride in one of these!
To me this would almost feel like a ride in the Concorde as far as "uniqueness" is concerned. I was fortunate to have a few of those across the pond.
I will admit on this forum to sitting in the cockpit of the Starship in Tullahoma and making vroom vroom noises.....

I'm in!

Thanks for the kind words! all are welcome to check out the SS, and since we do a few test flights here and again - why not a ride sometime. KADS is were we are based.

I see starships now and again in museums - Starship in Tullahoma, Frontiers of Flight.
we have been trying to buy them back and tear them apart. In my view a starship should either be flown or give its life to another that can be flown! We actually bought NC-19 from a school, and another Murana bird in NC-46 and tore them down earlier this year. We ground up what was left into dust.

We do have NC-53, and NC-43 that can be made flying. NC-53 has had quite a bit of work done so it would not be far off. Just needs 2 PT6-67A's.

I am open to a Beechcraft Beer fly in! I am sure you guys do social events now and again. If i can keep up, I'll bring the starship out for sure.

A few more pictures below including a few with NC-51 (owned by Robert Scherer). If I can sort a way to get you some video uploaded I can upload some landings and take-offs from the cockpit. They are file size large so that might be an issue.

raj

I'm going to have to admit it, next to the Starship, my Baron just does not cut the mustard. Raj, I'm coming to Texas and I'm bringing my Starship hat.