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 publicly debuted a jet-powered 601P Aerostar modification at AirVenture, an upgrade that leverages the original airframe's design intent for jet engines.
The aircraft is currently in early flight testing and configuration but is already demonstrating impressive performance, achieving speeds around 380 knots at 28,000 feet with expectations of over 400 knots at higher altitudes.
The project is still under development, with its future potentially leading to a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) priced around $1.5 million plus the airframe, or full certification requiring 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.