Quantcast

Piper Aerostar continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
Piper Aerostar continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts
Policy
Webp piperpa60
Piper PA-60 Aerostar | Wikipedia

The Piper Aerostar, also known as the Piper PA-60, is renowned for its high performance among twin-engine aircraft. It was designed by Ted Smith, a noted aerospace engineer, to excel in speed and engineering. The Aerostar's design features an aerodynamic profile and powerful engines, which have kept it popular among aviation enthusiasts and pilots.

The history of the Aerostar began in the 1960s when Ted Smith, formerly with Douglas Aircraft Company, sought to create a superior twin-engine piston aircraft. He established Ted Smith Aircraft Co. to realize this vision. The first prototype flew in 1967, featuring a low-drag design that quickly garnered attention.

In 1968, production began on what became known as the fastest piston-engine twin available at that time. Piper Aircraft acquired Ted Smith Aircraft Co. in 1972 and continued producing the Aerostar under its brand name. Despite changes in ownership and production locations over the years, the Aerostar has maintained its reputation as a high-speed aircraft.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Ted Smith emphasized speed and efficiency without sacrificing simplicity in his designs. This philosophy resulted in various models like the 600A, 601B, and 700P—each offering turbocharged engines for enhanced performance.

Skybrary provides detailed specifications: "Wingspan: 36 feet 7 inches (11.15 meters), Length: 34 feet 2 inches (10.41 meters), Height: 9 feet 10 inches (3.00 meters), Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 6,000 pounds (2,721 kilograms), Powerplants: Two Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engines (290 horsepower each), Maximum Cruise Speed: 285 knots (328 mph or 528 km/h), Range: 1,000 nautical miles (1,151 miles or 1,852 kilometers), Service Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters), Cabin Seating: Up to six passengers."

The cabin of the Piper Aerostar is functional yet comfortable enough for private owners or business travelers despite being primarily built for performance. Features include seating for up to five passengers with large windows providing natural light and panoramic views.

Design-wise, every element of the Aerostar aims to minimize drag while maximizing performance—features include a tubular fuselage with flush-riveted aluminum skin and T-tail configuration enhancing stability at higher speeds.

Maintaining an Aerostar presents unique challenges due to its advanced design requiring experienced mechanics familiar with specific systems like pressurization or retractable landing gear; parts availability can be challenging since production ceased decades ago but remains supported by dedicated communities ensuring resources remain accessible.

Despite these complexities involved with ownership experience regarding upkeep demands versus benefits offered through unmatched pleasure operating such machines—the thrill cruising near speeds approaching nearly three hundred miles per hour makes owning one rewarding according owners frequently highlight joys flying them too often prize possessions indeed!

Other similar aircraft within market space competing against Piper’s product offerings include Beechcraft Baron Cessna Mitsubishi models respectively each bringing strengths albeit lacking distinct advantages found uniquely within aerodynamics efficiency setting apart truly iconic model itself:

The legacy left behind by this innovative piece technology continues influencing modern-day counterparts pushing boundaries general aviation industry alike testament lasting impact achieved throughout decades past well into future inspiring manufacturers pursue new heights beyond current limitations further expanding possibilities overall advancement field moving forward evermore so than before now forever remembered legendary status firmly cemented place history books rightfully earned recognition deservedly holds dear hearts minds those passionate about flight universally acknowledged globally celebrated accomplishment representing pinnacle human ingenuity endeavor always striving reach higher goals never settling anything less best possible outcome attainable every single time without exception no matter what circumstances arise along way journey taken together collectively shared experiences gained therein contained herein mentioned above...

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Star Alliance has been named the World's Best Airline Alliance at the 2025 Skytrax Awards.

Jul 12, 2025

SAS and Air France have applied for a codeshare network covering ten U.S. destinations, including New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX.

Jul 12, 2025

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its June 2025 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which analyzes global punctuality trends among airlines and airports.

Jul 12, 2025

United Airlines is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on July 21, 2025.

Jul 12, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

Jul 12, 2025

Emirates' fleet currently includes 253 widebody aircraft, with the addition of eight Airbus A350-900s.

Jul 12, 2025