Originally Posted by Jayhawk 023

The history of the Starship development is very interesting and if you were a Beech engineer, probably very frustrating too. Under the original composite design, the aircraft would have likely delivered the efficiency and performance that was first conceived. It is my understanding that at the time, the FAA was very reticent in approving this new airframe in part due to the new method of construction (composite). In order to satisfy the FAA, Beech repeatedly re-visited airframe strength and design issues (more than once if I am correct). All of this created not only the long delay in certification, but added extra weight which significantly hurt the final products performance numbers. Plus, the extra weight put the aircraft MTOW over 12,500...so now a type rating was required too. As a result, if I remember correctly, the aircraft had a difficult time competing economically with the BE-200. After delivery, there were a number of MX issues with the aircraft too, and I think Beech spend lots of time and $$ service the relatively few customers who where flying the aircraft. It is my understanding that was why Beech (Raytheon) made the decision to halt any further product support and buy back the 50-odd airframes.

I grew up in Wichita and often saw these aircraft flying around town. They were a treat. If it was quiet outside, you could here one approaching overhead for a ways off, they had a very distinct sound.