Aerostar Arrives at AirVenture with a Jet

Isabel Goyer

Friday, July 29, 2011 at 02:07 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Aerostar Aircraft Corporation unveiled a jet-powered 601P Aerostar modification at AirVenture, featuring Pratt & Whitney PW615 engines.
The aircraft is currently in early flight testing and configuration, showing promising speeds of 380 knots true at 28,000 feet, with expectations of over 400 knots at its optimal 35,000-foot altitude.
This jet conversion fulfills the original designer's vision and may be offered as a Type Certificate modification for around $1.5 million plus an airframe, or potentially as a fully certified product with an equity partner.

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Aerostar Aircraft Corporation showed up on Tuesday at AirVenture with a Pratt & Whitney PW615-powered 601P Aerostar modification. It was the first public showing of the airplane, which is undergoing early flight test and configuration.

The airplane is a work in progress in many respects. There are no boots on it yet. The pressurization system has yet to be fully tested above the Aerostar’s ceiling. The avionics are a mix of old, new and and not ready for prime-time devices. The fuel system is not yet finished.