Airline Pilot Forums

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 (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_EAAAirVenture2011_AerostarJetDebut_ 205127-1.html)

Of course I would fly it.....but it isn't the prettiest girl on the ramp is it? :p

USMCFLYR

Still has the "toggle-switch" NWS.

At least people won't get "Shiny Jet Syndrome" when they look at it! At least I hope not.

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. :)

Saw it when I was up at Oshkosh. It looks cool but it doesn't seem to practical.

That looks super cool! I would buy one, that is if I had a spare couple mil just laying around.:D

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.

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.

To me the engines look about the same as there piston counterparts with a lot of thrust and a tiny rudder. That would be a pretty fun v1 cut.

dapper993, I doubt very much that it would come under Part 25.

You really can't compare this aircraft, meant to be a Part 23 VLJ/"personal jet", with any transport category certified business jet.

Saw it when I was up at Oshkosh. It looks cool but it doesn't seem to practical.

Same here. Agreed.

Being an all push rod bell crank flight control system, there is no “slop” within the flight controls. Probably one of the better hand flying aircraft in the sky today. Flaps would have a tendency to get a bit out of rig, but check and adjusted at every 100 inspection.

There are more aircraft out there that have been repossessed that offer better luxuries and goodies for the buck versus the jet powered Aerostar. Yes… the price tag is steep for a re-engined aircraft unless you want to be the only kid on the block to have such a unique aircraft.

Now someone needs to hang some jets on the Aero-Commander 690.

Now someone needs to hang some jets on the Aero-Commander 690.

Me too!

I would like to see what Hoover could do with a rig like that.

Now someone needs to hang some jets on the Aero-Commander 690.

How am I gonna back into my parking spot then:(?