1976 Pressurized Aerostar
601P
(Click on image above for higher resolution version)
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. |
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