https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_Aerostar
The Piper Aerostar (formerly Ted Smith Aerostar) is an American twin-engined
propeller-driven executive or light transport aircraft, designed by Ted R.
Smith. It was originally built by Ted Smith Aircraft Company, which after 1978
became part of the Piper Aircraft Corporation.
Ted Smith flew the first Aerostar 600 in October 1967. It was a mid-wing
cantilever monoplane powered by two wing-mounted Avco Lycoming piston engines,
with a tricycle landing gear. It was fitted with luxury accommodation for six.
Also produced, and the base of most of the subsequent models, was a version with
turbocharged engines, the Aerostar 601.
During the time of production, the Aerostar held the speed record for fastest
twin piston General Aviation aircraft, capable of cruise speeds from 220 kt (408
km/h) for the earliest 600 models to 261 kt (483 km/h) for the later 700 models.
Light construction, low drag and high powered engines also contribute to fast
climb rates.
Role
light transport aircraft
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Ted Smith Aircraft Company
Piper Aircraft Corporation
Designer
Ted R. Smith
First flight
1967
Status
Out of production
Active service
Produced
Number built
1010
The aircraft were originally built at Van Nuys in California, when in 1968 the
company was bought by the American Cement Company. The acquisition was not a
success and in 1969 the company was sold again to Butler Aviation, owners of
Mooney Airplane Company. The new company was named Aerostar Aircraft Corporation
and it was intended to move production to a Mooney plant at Kerrville, Texas. In
1971 Smith attempted to purchase the rights, and announced he would be building
an all-new design that was better than the Aerostar when initial deals broke
down. In 1972 Ted Smith bought back all the rights to the aircraft and continued
to manufacture Aerostars in Santa Maria, California. He also introduced the
pressurized Aerostar 601P. The 601P had engines with higher-rate turbochargers
to feed a cabin pressurization system. Another variant was the Aerostar 700
Superstar. In 1976 the company name was changed to the Ted Smith Aerostar
Corporation. Ted Smith died in 1976.
In 1978 the company was taken over by the Piper Aircraft Corporation. It
continued to build two variants (600A and 601B) and then re-introduced the 601P
and 602P. After discontinuing production of the non-pressurised models, Piper
moved production to Vero Beach. The Aerostar was last built there in 1984.
The Aerostar type certificate and manufacturing documentation were sold in 1991
to Jim Christy and Steve Speer, who had been part of the Ted Smith Aerostar
operation, and now operate Aerostar Aircraft Corporation in Hayden Lake, Idaho,
providing maintenance and support of the aircraft and new R&D of its family of
aircraft. Conceived with a jet-powered design structure by Ted Smith from the
very beginning, the Aerostar Aircraft Corporation continued its R&D and finally
completed Ted Smith's dream to convert the design into a twin fan-jet aircraft,
with 6-seat (including 1 pilot) and its version of the 8-seat stretched variant.
Specifications (700P)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 5 passengers
Wingspan: 36 ft 8 in (11.18 m)
Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
Wing area: 178.2 ft2 (16.56 m2)
Empty weight: 4,275 lb (1,939 kg)
Gross weight: 6,315 lb (2,864 kg)
hp (261 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 306 mph (492 km/h)
Cruise speed: 242 mph (390 km/h)
Range: 1,024 miles (1,648 km)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Rate of climb: 1,840 ft/min (9.4 m/s)
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