Beechcraft Starship
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Beechcraft 2000 Starship (NASA) |
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Beechcraft Starship (NASA) |
The
Beechcraft Starship is a futuristic-looking
aircraft designed by
Burt Rutan's
Scaled Composites and produced by the
Beech Aircraft Corporation. It is a six- to eight-seat business transport.
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 had 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.
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 unique 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.
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 it is believed NC-51 is the only Starship still flying.
Performance
| MAXIMUM SPEED | 335 knots. (385 mph) |
| Average Cruise Weight | 12,500 lb. |
| MAXIMUM CRUISE POWER - 1600 rpm |
| At 22,000 ft | 335 knots. (385 mph) |
| At 31,000 ft | 327 knots. (376 mph) |
| At 35,000 ft | 318 knots. (366 mph) |
| At 37,000 ft | 308 knots. (355 mph) |
| RECOMMENDED CRUISE POWER - 1600 rpm |
| At 25,000 ft | 324 knots. (373 mph) |
| At 31,000 ft | 317 knots. (365 mph) |
| At 35,000 ft | 307 knots. (353 mph) |
| At 37,000 ft | 295 knots. (340 mph) |
| MAXIMUM RANGE POWER - 1600 rpm |
| At 25,000 ft | 254 knots. (292 mph) |
| At 31,000 ft | 259 knots. (298 mph) |
| At 35,000 ft | 272 knots. (313 mph) |
| At 37,000 ft | 279 knots. (321 mph) |
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.
| MAXIMUM CRUISE POWER |
| At 25,000 ft | 1,128 nm (1,298 sm) |
| At 31,000 ft | 1,342 nm (1,543 sm) |
| At 35,000 ft | 1,494 nm (1,720 sm) |
| RECOMMENDED CRUISE POWER |
| At 25,000 ft | 1,148 nm (1,321 sm) |
| At 31,000 ft | 1,372 nm (1,578 sm) |
| At 35,000 ft | 1,514 nm (1,743 sm) |
| MAXIMUM RANGE POWER |
| At 25,000 ft | 1,350 nm (1,554 sm) |
| At 31,000 ft | 1,513 nm (1,740 sm) |
| At 35,000 ft | 1,576 nm (1,814 sm) |
RATE OF CLIMB AT SEA LEVELWith two engines at 14,900 lb: 2,748 ft./min. With one engine at 14,900 lb: 670 ft./min.
| SERVICE CEILING |
| TWO ENGINES (100 ftjmin.) |
| At 14,900 lb | 35,800 ft. |
| ONE ENGINE (50 ftjmin.) |
| At 14,900 lb | 18,000 ft. |
MAXIMUM CERTIFIED ALT: 41,000 ft.
| TAKE-OFF DISTANCE - FLAPS EXTENDED |
| Take-off Field Length @ 14,900 lb | 3854 ft. |
| Take-off Field Length @ 13,000 lb | 3112 ft. |
| LANDING DISTANCE - FLAPS EXTENDED |
| Landing Distance @ 13,680 lb | 2390 ft. |
| Ground Roll | 1,264 ft. |
Specifications
WEIGHTSMaximum 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 LOADINGSWing Area 280.88 sq ft.Wing Loading 53.0 lb./sq ft.Power Loading (PT6A-67A: 1200 shp) 6.21 lb./shp.
DIMENSIONSAft 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 AltitudeActual Aircraft Altitude - 21,400 ft Sea LevelActual 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) SYSTEMCOMMs (VHF) - Dual Collins VHF-422A's with Dual Antennas VOR/ILS/NAV (VHF)Dual Collins VIR-432 with ND-870 Indicator and Single NAV AntennaADF - Collins ADF-462 with Display in SDU-640B and Antenna
MARKER BEACONS - Dual in VIR-432's with Display in PFD-870Indicators, 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 DualAuto 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-850Data Base Input Unit, and "E' Field Antenna
FLIGHT DIRECTORS - Dual Collins FCC-850's with Pilot andCopilot PFD-870 and ND-870 Indicators, Dual MSP-850A ModeSelectors, CHP-850 Course/Heading Panel, and DualReversionary Controls
AUTOPILOT - Collins APS-850 with APP-85D Control, ElectricTrim (3-Axes) and Pilot or Copilot Flight Director Coupling Selector
AIR DATA SYSTEMS - Dual ADC-850 Air Data Computers withDual 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-870Indicators, 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 ElectronicNavigation 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
ENGINESTwo Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A Free Turbine Engines flat rated at 1200 Shaft Horsepower eachPropellers - 104" Diameter, Five Blade Metal, FullFeathering, Reversible, Hydraulically Controlled ConstantSpeed, Dynamically BalancedFuel Cross Transfer SystemSubmerged Electric Standby Fuel Boost PumpsJet Type Fuel Transfer PumpsLow Fuel Quantity Warning SystemEngine Driven Fuel Boost PumpsPrimary Propeller GovernorsOverspeed Propeller GovernorsFuel Topping GovernorsHeated Fuel Tank VentsComplete Engine Anti-icing System with Bleed AirHeated Engine InletMagnetic Chip DetectorAuto Ignition SystemEPA Fuel Purge SystemPropeller SynchrophaserEngine Fire Detection SystemEngine Fire Extinguishers *Propeller Autofeather System
LANDING GEAR AND BRAKESTricycle Type Steerable Nose Wheel equipped with shimmy damper,Beech oil-air struts designed for smooth taxiingDual Main Wheel Tires (each side)Main Wheels and Tires - H19.5 x 6.75 - 10, 8 ply ratedNose Wheel Tire - 19.5 x 6.75 - 8, 10 ply ratedTwo Carbon Disc Brakes on Each Main Gear (Power,Anti-Skid Brakes)Landing Gear Position Lights, Down and LockedLanding Gear Warning Horn and In-Transit Light
CONTROLSDual Conventional 3-Axis Control SystemDual Adjustable Rudder Pedals and Toe-Operated Brakes Parking Brake with Hand ControlTwo Power Levers, two Propeller rpm Selectors and two Fuel Cut-Off and Condition LeversHydraulic Landing Gear with Mechanical UplockHand-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 ControlStall Warning System with Shaker/Pusher Logic
ELECTRICALStarter/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 ResetHeated Stall Warning System with Preflight Self Test SystemDual Heated Pilot & Static Heads - Nose MountedExternal Power Receptacle with Annunciation andOvervoltage ProtectionMaster Warning and Annunciators, with Push to Test Heated Fuel VentsStatic WicksAir Cooled NiCad Battery - 34 AHTriple Bus System with Auto Load SheddingNose Gear Mic and Phone Jack (part of Avionics)Two Loadmeters (with Left Capable of Battery Ammeter)One Voltmeter
LIGHTSWing Ice LightsThree Landing Lights (One Nose, Two Wing)Nose Gear Taxi LightPosition LightsDual Map LightsAdjustable Reading Light for each Cabin Chair andToilet CompartmentIndirect Cabin LightingOne Cockpit Overhead Reading LightAisle Courtesy LightsEntrance Door LightAft Compartment LightsPrimary and Secondary Instrument Lighting SystemsLighting Controlled from Overhead PanelEL Indirect Cockpit LightingAnti-Collision Strobe System (High and LowIntensity Selectable)
COCKPITDual Electrically Heated, Glass Windshields with Redundant Pilot Windshield Element & ControlHot Air Windshield Defroster, Main WindshieldsElectrically Heated, Cockpit Side WindowsDual Adjustable Sun VisorsCigarette Lighter, Two Ash TraysFresh Air OutletsOxygen Outlets and Console Stored Crew Pressure/Diluter Demand Oxygen Masks with MicSub Panel Mounted Oxygen ControlsCoffee Cup HoldersDual Cockpit SpeakersPilot and Copilot Four-Way Adjustable Seats with Shoulder Harness Restraint System and Reclining FeaturePilot and Copilot Chart Storage Cases and Flight Manual Storage Compartment (Seven Compartments)Lighted Control Wheel Approach Plate HoldersTwo Electronic/Digital Fuel Quantity IndicatorsElectronic, Analog Pitch Trim IndicatorElectronic, Analog Roll Trim IndicatorElectronic, Analog Rudder Trim IndicatorDigital Fuel Temperature IndicatorDigital Cabin Temperature IndicatorDual Digital Deice Pressure IndicatorDigital Oxygen Pressure IndicatorPneumatic Analog Cabin Altitude and Differential Pressure IndicatorPneumatic Analog Cabin Climb IndicatorFire Extinguisher * (Halon) - Hand Held
CABINForward Club Arrangement with Six Lateral Tracking Chairs All are Fully Adjustable with Shoulder Harnesses, Lap Belts and Rectractable Inboard ArmrestsAsh Trays for All OccupantsCupholder for each Cabin ChairIndividual Reading Lights and Fresh Air OutletsTwo Folding TablesUpright Refreshment Cabinet, Forward Left Side with Water Tank, One Gallon Heated Liquid Container, Two Cup Dispensers; Overboard Drain; Ice Chest, Four Decanters and Waste ContainerOxygen, 77 cu. ft. - One Mask per Passenger including Toilet Compartment (Automatic Deployment)"No Smoking - Fasten Seat Belt" Signs with Audible ChimeForward Right Side Baggage Cabinet/Coat ClosetForward Cabin Closure DoorAft Cabin Privacy Partition with Sliding Doors and AisleFacing Flushing Toilet with Relief TubeAft Baggage Compartment with Doors and Baggage WebbingCabin Carpet Protector - VinylAir Conditioning * (Freon)Automatic Bleed Air Type HeatingFail-Safe (Dual-Pane) Cabin Windows with Manual Dimming (Polarized)Carpet - Wool Plush - Low NapPressurization - 8.4 DifferentialAirstair Door with Hydraulic Snubber, Airstair DoorCourtesy LightFire Extinguisher * (Halon) - Hand Held
PUBLICATIONSService Information KitAircraft Log BookTwo Engine Log BooksTwo Propeller Log BooksPilot's Check ListBeechcraft Warranty ID CardEight Passenger Briefing Cards
SERVICETwo Cabin Door Lock KeysTow BarTwo Pitot Tube CoversTwo Prop SlingsTwo Inlet CoversInlet Cover Installation/Removal Too]Two Pair Exhaust CoversTwo AOA Probe CoversThree
Ice Detector CoversThree Tiedown RingsPaint KitFlight BagControl LockThree Landing Gear Lock PinsNose Landing Gear Door PinSix Coat HangersTwo 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 PressureAll Master Caution (Yellow), Status (White)And Advisory (Green) Messages. MasterCaution Message With Flasher SystemPropeller Syncrophaser Display AndAutofeather Arm DisplayDigital Capacitance Type High Accuracy TemperatureCompensating Fuel Gauging SystemInertial Separator Engine Anti-icing System, with DualElectric Ice Vane ActuatorsAutomatic, Lightweight, Low Profile Pneumatic Deicing SystemComplete Exterior Urethane PaintDual Bleed Air Heating and PressurizationElectroluminescent Lighted Control PanelsBattery Charging Current Sensor (Safety Sentinel)External Oxygen Filler Port and Pressure GaugeAll performance specifications and standard equipment subject to change without notice at the option of RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY.
Beech aircraft are manufactured by Raytheon Aircraft CompanyWichita, Kansas 67201, U.S.A.
*
The Starship Diaries*
A Collection of Beechcraft Starship 2000A Material{{aircontent|similar aircraft=
*
AASI Jetcruzer*
Piaggio P.180 Avanti
