1976 Pressurized Aerostar 601P
The Aerostar 601P is the most ecomomical of the pressurized piston-twins, with the capability of flying at FL250 at an honest 215 KTAS with 800-1200 nm range. The cabin has a uniform cross-section from the front seats to the rear bench: no tapered rear cabin as in the Duke, Baron, Seneca ... The Lycoming 540 series engine is well known for exceeding its 1800 hour TBO, even though the Aerostar has no cowl flaps and frequently engages in 20 to 30 minute climbs.
The Aerostar handles beautifully, with crisp and solid response in all three-axes, while remaining exceptionally stable: traits not typically found in a traveling machine. Beech pilots will appreciate the exemplary yaw-stability of the Aerostar. The Aerostar barely feels turbulence that sends most piston-twin passengers scrambling through seat back pockets for a sic-sac. Passengers appreciate flying high and above the turbulence and weather. Non-pressurized pilot-owners stepping up to the Aerostar will be amazed not only by the speed and handling of this plane, but also by how fresh they feel after a cross-country jaunt in a pressurized speedster like the Aerostar.
Long range cruise power settings give the Aerostar the capability of flying up to 1300 nm non-stop on winter missions. At 50% power - running rich of peak, the Aerostar 601P will deliver an honest 200 KTAS at 13.2 gph per side. Running lean of peak (something that the 601P does well with the high compression engines), the Aerostar 601P will deliver 215 KTAS while burning just over 14 gph per engine (Click here to see Ken Bacon's 601P gauges at 65% cruise LOP). Fuel burns at max range cruise can be as low as 10 gph per side while running lean of peak in the 200 KTAS neighborhood.
For some reason, many people enjoy spreading rumors about the Aerostar being hard to fly and unforgiving. Please speak with someone with experience in this plane, and discard opinions from those lacking experience with the Aerostar! Or better yet - FLY ONE!
This particular Aerostar 601P is a production year 1976 model. Originally carrying N90701, Aerostar serial number 338 was awarded a standard airworthiness certificate on 8/6/1976 after a 5.1 hours of flight testing out of Santa Maria, California. The original owner purchased the plane from Henry Weber Aircraft Distributors, and a custom N-number of N40RK was placed on the plane upon purchase. This plane spent its first three years and approximately 1000 hours in the US, and then was exported to Canada.
The next 2 owners were in Canada, and for the past few years the plane was flown on a Canadian commercial certificate flying passengers in Western Canada. The commercial maintenance standards in Canada are very high, and the next owner will see the results of this higher maintenance standard. The turbo-system on the Aerostar is where most of the money is spent, and this planes' turbo system is very well maintained.