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Development Work began in 1979 when Beechcraft identified a need to replace the King Air model. After a brief hiatus while the company was bought by Raytheon, full development began in 1982 when Beechcraft approached Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites, a leader in the field of novel composite aircraft design. Much of the design work utilised computer-aided design, using the CATIA system. While in development at Scaled, the 85%-scale prototype was the Model 115, and Beechcraft referred to the production version as the Model 2000. The Model 115 first flew in late August 1983. However, this aircraft had no pressurization system, no certified avionics, and a different airframe design and material specifications than the planned production Model 2000. This aircraft has since been scrapped. The first full-size Starship flew on February 15, 1986. Prototypes were produced even as development work was continuing — a system demanded by the use of composite materials, as the tooling required is very expensive and has to be built for production use from the outset. The program was delayed several times, at first due to underestimating the development complexity involved and later to overcome technical difficulties concerning the stall-warning system. The first production Starship flew in late 1988, after over $300 million in development costs. Design The Starship was notable for several reasons. First was its all-graphite composite airframe, using high-tech materials instead of aluminum. These materials were in frequent use to varying degrees on military aircraft, but no civilian aircraft certified by the FAA had ever used them so extensively. Composites were chosen in order to reduce the weight of the aircraft which, unfortunately, still came in over its target weight. Second was its canard design, with the lifting surface aft of the horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft lacks a rudder, with yaw control instead provided by small fins on the wingtips. Third was its use of a pusher design, in which the turboprop engines were mounted facing the rear and pushed, rather than pulled, the aircraft forward. The pusher design offers a quieter ride, since the gusts of wind and air off the tips of the propellers no longer strike the side of the aircraft, as they do on conventionally configured turboprops. The aircraft also features a 16-tube "glass cockpit" supplied by Rockwell Collins. Sales Commercially the aeroplane was a failure, with little demand. Only 53 Starships were ever built, and of those only a handful were sold. Many of the aircraft were eventually leased by Raytheon, which allowed the company to control their distribution and operational life. Raytheon considered the cost of supporting a commercial fleet of just 53 aircraft with necessary parts and flight training to be prohibitive. Leasing the aircraft allowed Raytheon to effectively recall and ground the entire fleet at the end of their initial leases. Reasons for the lack of demand included price, performance, and economic conditions. The list price in 1989 was $3.9 million, similar to the Cessna Citation V and Lear 31 jets, which were 89 and 124 knots faster than the Starship at maximum cruise, respectively. The Piper Cheyenne turboprop was faster and sold for $1 million less. (Aviation Week, Oct. 2, 1989). The Piaggio P.180 Avanti possessed a similar striking design and had considerably better performance. It should be noted that although Beechcraft had high hopes for the distinctive Starship the aircraft failed to meet most of its expected goals for price, performance, handling, cabin size and serviceability. In 2003, Beechcraft deemed that the aircraft was no longer popular enough to justify its support costs, and has recalled all leased aircraft for scrapping. The company is also said to be aggressively trying to buy back privately-owned Starships, though some Starship owners say they have never been contacted by Raytheon about this. Raytheon no longer offers any support to Starship operators. Most of the Starships are being ground up and burned at the "boneyard" at the Evergreen Air Center. The planes have little aluminum for recycling. A few have been bought up by private owners who regard them as lovable failures, much like the infamous Ford Edsel. Several can be seen in this satellite photo of the boneyard at Pinal Airpark north of Tucson, Arizona. What appears to be a Starship appears in this photo of Washington Dulles International Airport. Recently, Starship Model 2000A NC-51 was used as a chase plane during the re-entry phase of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne. Several Starships have been donated to museums since the official decommissioning program began, with the Kansas Aviation Museum receiving the first aircraft in August of 2003. As of summer 2006 only four Starships are still flying. As of September 2006 NC-50 is for sale. Specifications (2000A) Performance CRUISE RANGE FOR 564 GAL. USABLE FUEL (3752 lb.) Range allows for start, taxi, and runup; Includes cruise climb and descent; And allows for 45 minutes reserve fuel at maximum range power, zero wind, and 14,900 lb takeoff weight. RATE OF CLIMB AT SEA LEVEL With two engines at 14,900 lb: 2,748 ft./min. With one engine at 14,900 lb: 670 ft./min. MAXIMUM CERTIFIED ALT: 41,000 ft. Specifications WEIGHTS Maximum Ramp Weight 15,010 lb. Maximum Take-Off Weight 14,900 lb. Maximum Landing Weight 13,680 lb. Maximum Zero Fuel Weight 12,600 lb. Basic Empty Weight (With Unusable Fuel, Oil and Standard Equipment) 10,120 lb. Useful Load (Standard Aircraft) 4,890 lb. Maximum Usable Fuel (@ 6.7 lb./gal.) 565 gal./3785 lb. WING AREA AND LOADINGS Wing Area 280.88 sq ft. Wing Loading 53.0 lb./sq ft. Power Loading (PT6A-67A: 1200 shp) 6.21 lb./shp. DIMENSIONS Aft Wing Span 54 ft. 4.7 in. Forward Wing Span Cruise 21 ft. 11.5 in. Landing 25 ft. 8 in. Length 46 ft. 1 in. Height to Top of Vertical Stabilizer 12 ft. 1 1 in. Cockpit Height 58.2 in. Cockpit Width 67 in. Cockpit Door Width 18.5 in. Cabin Length (includes Aft Baggage) 253.5 in. (Excludes Pilot's Compartment) Cabin Width 66 in. Cabin Height 63.5 in. Entrance Door 28 x 50.4 in. Forward Baggage Compartment 160 lb., 19.5 cu ft. Aft Baggage Compartment 525 lb., 35 cu. ft. Total Baggage Capacity 685 lb., 54.5 cu. ft. PRESSURIZATION (8.4 Differential) Cabin Altitude Actual Aircraft Altitude - 21,400 ft Sea Level Actual Aircraft Altitude - 25,000 ft 1,560 ft. Actual Aircraft Altitude - 30,000 ft 3,860 ft. Actual Aircraft Altitude - 35,000 ft 5,940 ft. Actual Aircraft Altitude - 41,000 ft 8,060 ft. STANDARD EQUIPMENT AVIONICS STANDARD COLLINS PRO LINE 4 WITH DUAL DIGITAL EFIS (H.I.R.F. CERTIFIED) SYSTEM COMMs (VHF) - Dual Collins VHF-422A's with Dual Antennas VOR/ILS/NAV (VHF) Dual Collins VIR-432 with ND-870 Indicator and Single NAV Antenna ADF - Collins ADF-462 with Display in SDU-640B and Antenna MARKER BEACONS - Dual in VIR-432's with Display in PFD-870 Indicators, and Antenna GLIDESLOPES - Dual in VIR-432's with Display in ND-870 Indicators, and Antenna DME's - Dual Collins DME-442's with Display in ND-870 Indicators, and Dual Antennas TRANSPONDERS - Dual Collins TDR-94's with Dual Antennas, and Pilot and Copilot Control Wheel ATC Ident Buttons RADAR - Collins TWR-850 4-Color 2 Channel Doppler/Turbulence Detection Radar with 14' Phased Array Antenna/RT Unit and Display in MFD-870 Multi-Function Display (MFD) CONTROLS - Dual Collins CDU-850A Primary ControVDisplays for COMM, NAV, ND, ADF, DME, Transponder, Radar Dual RTU-870A Secondary Controls AUDIO - Dual DB Systems Model 418 Audio Systems with Dual Auto COMM and Audio Switches, Crew Interphone, Ground COMM Power Switch for COMM 1, Dual Cockpit Speakers, Mic Key Button on Pilot and Copilot Control Wheels, Dual Hand Held Microphones, Dual Boom Mic Headsets, Voice and ldent Filters, and Ramp Paging SENSOR DISPLAY UNITS (RMI's) - Dual Collins SDU-640B Indicators with Bearing from VOR/ADF/FMS and Data from DME/VOR/ILS/FMS COMPASS SYSTEMS - Dual Collins AHC-85D Attitude Heading Reference System (AHS) FLIGHT MANAGEMENT - Collins Computers with CMA-764 VLF/Omega Long Range NAV System (FMS) Receiver, DBU-850 Data Base Input Unit, and "E' Field Antenna FLIGHT DIRECTORS - Dual Collins FCC-850's with Pilot and Copilot PFD-870 and ND-870 Indicators, Dual MSP-850A Mode Selectors, CHP-850 Course/Heading Panel, and Dual Reversionary Controls AUTOPILOT - Collins APS-850 with APP-85D Control, Electric Trim (3-Axes) and Pilot or Copilot Flight Director Coupling Selector AIR DATA SYSTEMS - Dual ADC-850 Air Data Computers with Dual ASI-850A Indicators for TAS, IAS, OAT, IOAT, and ISA, AAP-850 Altitude Awareness Controls, and Rosemount Probe ALTIMETERS/ALTITUDE ALERTER/PRESELECTOR/VERTICAL SPEED INDICATORS - Dual Collins ALI-850A Indicators RADIO ALTIMETER - Collins ALT-55B with readout in PFD-870 Indicators, and Dual Antennas PILOT'S HORIZON INDICATOR - Collins PFD-870 Electronic Primary Flight Display COPILOT'S HORIZON INDICATOR - Collins PFD-870 Electronic Primary Flight Display PILOT'S COURSE INDICATOR - Collins ND-870 Electronic Navigation Display COPILOT'S COURSE INDICATOR - Collins ND-870 Electronic Navigation Display STANDBY INSTRUMENTS - 2-inch Altimeter, 2-Inch Airspeed Indicator, 2-inch J.E.T. Al-804 Gyro Horizon with Battery Pack DIGITAL CLOCKS - Dual with 24-Hour Time, GMT, Count Up/Down Timers, Trip Timer, and Date (Date for FMS, not displayed on clock) PAGING - Two Speakers for Cabin Paging BEECH RADIO ACCESSORIES WHITE LIGHTING DUAL AVIONICS MASTER SWITCHES EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER ENGINES Two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A Free Turbine Engines flat rated at 1200 Shaft Horsepower each Propellers - 104" Diameter, Five Blade Metal, Full Feathering, Reversible, Hydraulically Controlled Constant Speed, Dynamically Balanced Fuel Cross Transfer System Submerged Electric Standby Fuel Boost Pumps Jet Type Fuel Transfer Pumps Low Fuel Quantity Warning System Engine Driven Fuel Boost Pumps Primary Propeller Governors Overspeed Propeller Governors Fuel Topping Governors Heated Fuel Tank Vents Complete Engine Anti-icing System with Bleed Air Heated Engine Inlet Magnetic Chip Detector Auto Ignition System EPA Fuel Purge System Propeller Synchrophaser Engine Fire Detection System Engine Fire Extinguishers LANDING GEAR AND BRAKES Tricycle Type Steerable Nose Wheel equipped with shimmy damper, Beech oil-air struts designed for smooth taxiing Dual Main Wheel Tires (each side) Main Wheels and Tires - H19.5 x 6.75 - 10, 8 ply rated Nose Wheel Tire - 19.5 x 6.75 - 8, 10 ply rated Two Carbon Disc Brakes on Each Main Gear (Power, Anti-Skid Brakes) Landing Gear Position Lights, Down and Locked Landing Gear Warning Horn and In-Transit Light CONTROLS Dual Conventional 3-Axis Control System Dual Adjustable Rudder Pedals and Toe-Operated Brakes Parking Brake with Hand Control Two Power Levers, two Propeller rpm Selectors and two Fuel Cut-Off and Condition Levers Hydraulic Landing Gear with Mechanical Uplock Hand-Pump Type Auxiliary Landing Gear Extension Control Electric Elevon Trim Tabs (Roll) Electric Rudder Trim Tabs (Yaw) Electric Elevator Trim Tabs (Pitch) Yaw Damper System (Part of Autopilot) Electric Flap/Forward Wing Control Stall Warning System with Shaker/Pusher Logic ELECTRICAL Starter/Generator (Two 300 amp - 28 volt) Solid State Generator Control Panel - Two One Electric Motor for Operating Flaps One Electric Motor for Operating Forward Wing Landing Gear Warning System with Manual Over-Ride and Automatic Reset Heated Stall Warning System with Preflight Self Test System Dual Heated Pilot & Static Heads - Nose Mounted External Power Receptacle with Annunciation and Overvoltage Protection Master Warning and Annunciators, with Push to Test Heated Fuel Vents Static Wicks Air Cooled NiCad Battery - 34 AH Triple Bus System with Auto Load Shedding Nose Gear Mic and Phone Jack (part of Avionics) Two Loadmeters (with Left Capable of Battery Ammeter) One Voltmeter LIGHTS Wing Ice Lights Three Landing Lights (One Nose, Two Wing) Nose Gear Taxi Light Position Lights Dual Map Lights Adjustable Reading Light for each Cabin Chair and Toilet Compartment Indirect Cabin Lighting One Cockpit Overhead Reading Light Aisle Courtesy Lights Entrance Door Light Aft Compartment Lights Primary and Secondary Instrument Lighting Systems Lighting Controlled from Overhead Panel EL Indirect Cockpit Lighting Anti-Collision Strobe System (High and Low Intensity Selectable) COCKPIT Dual Electrically Heated, Glass Windshields with Redundant Pilot Windshield Element & Control Hot Air Windshield Defroster, Main Windshields Electrically Heated, Cockpit Side Windows Dual Adjustable Sun Visors Cigarette Lighter, Two Ash Trays Fresh Air Outlets Oxygen Outlets and Console Stored Crew Pressure/Diluter Demand Oxygen Masks with Mic Sub Panel Mounted Oxygen Controls Coffee Cup Holders Dual Cockpit Speakers Pilot and Copilot Four-Way Adjustable Seats with Shoulder Harness Restraint System and Reclining Feature Pilot and Copilot Chart Storage Cases and Flight Manual Storage Compartment (Seven Compartments) Lighted Control Wheel Approach Plate Holders Two Electronic/Digital Fuel Quantity Indicators Electronic, Analog Pitch Trim Indicator Electronic, Analog Roll Trim Indicator Electronic, Analog Rudder Trim Indicator Digital Fuel Temperature Indicator Digital Cabin Temperature Indicator Dual Digital Deice Pressure Indicator Digital Oxygen Pressure Indicator Pneumatic Analog Cabin Altitude and Differential Pressure Indicator Pneumatic Analog Cabin Climb Indicator Fire Extinguisher CABIN Forward Club Arrangement with Six Lateral Tracking Chairs All are Fully Adjustable with Shoulder Harnesses, Lap Belts and Rectractable Inboard Armrests Ash Trays for All Occupants Cupholder for each Cabin Chair Individual Reading Lights and Fresh Air Outlets Two Folding Tables Upright Refreshment Cabinet, Forward Left Side with Water Tank, One Gallon Heated Liquid Container, Two Cup Dispensers; Overboard Drain; Ice Chest, Four Decanters and Waste Container Oxygen, 77 cu. ft. - One Mask per Passenger including Toilet Compartment (Automatic Deployment) "No Smoking - Fasten Seat Belt" Signs with Audible Chime Forward Right Side Baggage Cabinet/Coat Closet Forward Cabin Closure Door Aft Cabin Privacy Partition with Sliding Doors and Aisle Facing Flushing Toilet with Relief Tube Aft Baggage Compartment with Doors and Baggage Webbing Cabin Carpet Protector - Vinyl Air Conditioning Fail-Safe (Dual-Pane) Cabin Windows with Manual Dimming (Polarized) Carpet - Wool Plush - Low Nap Pressurization - 8.4 Differential Airstair Door with Hydraulic Snubber, Airstair Door Courtesy Light Fire Extinguisher PUBLICATIONS Service Information Kit Aircraft Log Book Two Engine Log Books Two Propeller Log Books Pilot's Check List Beechcraft Warranty ID Card Eight Passenger Briefing Cards SERVICE Two Cabin Door Lock Keys Tow Bar Two Pitot Tube Covers Two Prop Slings Two Inlet Covers Inlet Cover Installation/Removal Too] Two Pair Exhaust Covers Two AOA Probe Covers Three Ice Detector Covers Three Tiedown Rings Paint Kit Flight Bag Control Lock Three Landing Gear Lock Pins Nose Landing Gear Door Pin Six Coat Hangers Two Boom Mic Pilot's Headsets ADDITIONAL FEATURES EICAS (Engine Indicating Crew Advisory System) All Engine Data (Analog and Digital): ITT, Torque, Prop RPM, N,, Fuel Flow, Oil Temperature, Oil Pressure All Master Caution (Yellow), Status (White) And Advisory (Green) Messages. Master Caution Message With Flasher System Propeller Syncrophaser Display And Autofeather Arm Display Digital Capacitance Type High Accuracy Temperature Compensating Fuel Gauging System Inertial Separator Engine Anti-icing System, with Dual Electric Ice Vane Actuators Automatic, Lightweight, Low Profile Pneumatic Deicing System Complete Exterior Urethane Paint Dual Bleed Air Heating and Pressurization Electroluminescent Lighted Control Panels Battery Charging Current Sensor (Safety Sentinel) External Oxygen Filler Port and Pressure Gauge All performance specifications and standard equipment subject to change without notice at the option of RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY. Beech aircraft are manufactured by Raytheon Aircraft Company Wichita, Kansas 67201, U.S.A. Related content | ||||||||||
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