Hawker Beechcraft Starship IA Specs and Description

Background/History

The Beech Starship 2000 was conceived as a new generation, light corporate aircraft in the King Air class. The prototype Starship made its first flight in 1986, powered by two Pratt and Whitney of Canada PT6A-65 turboprop engines. Initial FAA certification was awarded in 1988, while the first production example was flown in April 1989. The improved Starship 2000A was certificated in April 1992 with production continuing through 1995 and a run of 30 aircraft. The 2000A variant incorporated changes to the aircraft seating to six passengers instead of eight, lower interior sound levels, a slightly higher maximum takeoff weight and increased range. Despite its extensive use of modern technologies and innovative design, the Starship was not a commercial success. Production ceased in 1995 after just 49 Starships had been built.

Power

The Beech Starship 2000A is powered by a pair of Pratt and Whitney of Canada PT6A-67A turboprop engines rated at 1,200shp each, driving five-bladed constant speed McCauley propellers. Inspection interval on the engines is 3,000 hours.

Avionics

The Starship 2000A incorporates a 14-tube, Collins Concept 4 instrument panel layout which is heavier and generates more heat than an integrated EFIS display tube system but it has many ease of use features that are missing from many newer panel layouts.

Design Features

The unconventional Starship design incorporates many innovations foremost of which is its rear-mounted laminar flow wing and variable geometry canards or foreplanes. The canards sweep forward with flap extension for pitch trim compensation and are designed to make it impossible to stall the airdraft on takeoff or landing. The wing itself is constructed almost entirely of composite materials and has tip-mounted sails which function as both vertical fins and winglets. The rear-mounted engines are in a tractor arrangement behind the cabin area. The proximity of the engines to the aircraft centerline and each other allows comfortable single-engine handling.

Accomodations

All Starship 2000A aircraft have six passenger seats, normally in a forward-facing club-plus-two configuration. A fully enclosed aft lavatory, a forward refreshment center and a port-side airstair forward of the main wing are also present. A rear baggage compartment, accessable only through the cabin and lavatory, holds 525lbs. and is large enough for golf clubs. The interior cabin dimensions are 21.1ft. in length, 5.5ft. in height and 5.5ft. in width.