Piaggio Avanti (Aircraft) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

78F350 · 07-12-2015, 03:07 PM

I know there are quite a few Aviation enthusiasts here.

I got a few pictures of {what I thought at the time was} a Piaggio Avanti today as I got some fuel at KRVS. I have always loved the concept and look of the design since I picked up a sales brochure in 1990. Wish I had time to get more shots/better angles. I have no idea about how they are to fly.

78F350 · 07-12-2015, 03:21 PM

..and now I see that I was completely mistaken about what it was! It is actually a Beechcraft Starship.
Even cooler.

particlewave · 07-12-2015, 03:31 PM

When I was 10, my stepdad worked for Bonacci Air out of SkyHarbor (Omaha), IIRC. He took me up in a Starship for a while

That would have been '88.

I remember it feeling much more fluid than the Cessna's that we usually flew, but it may have been psychological. Still, a great memory.

SoCalBlackbox · 07-12-2015, 06:37 PM

less than 10 Starships left flying so this is rare. They were way too expensive to maintain and they were noisy.

steved0x · 07-12-2015, 06:43 PM

I think I saw one in flight one time, I think I was in a C-152 near RDU, circa 99 maybe. It was cool.

BruceH · 07-13-2015, 07:11 AM

I have seen a few over the years. Way too radical for conservative executives who typically like to maintain a low profile with the company aircraft. Plus it was too heavy and was not a performer. The Avanti is what Beech should have built in the first place, but, still too radical looking for most. The King Air is still an incredible aircraft today which does not help.

steved0x · 07-13-2015, 07:22 AM

I used to own a book on Rutan aircraft by Don and Julia Downie:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Rutan-Aircraft/dp/0830624201

It has been many years and I can't remember if this had a chapter on the Starship or not. I (seem to recall) that his prototype was a slightly smaller version that performed very well, etc... but then the production version was bigger got loaded up with FAA regulations and got big fat and heavy and the production versions all underperformed.

Still very cool looking

clickman · 07-13-2015, 07:29 AM

And this is related to Boxsters how?

There is an Off Topic section which would likely be a better place for this.

RedTele58 · 07-13-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickman

And this is related to Boxsters how?

There is an Off Topic section which would likely be a better place for this.

It must be a tireless job being the internet police.

Here's a picture of a Boxster to get us back on track.

clickman · 07-13-2015, 04:40 PM

Wow, one post and I'm the internet police. Tough crowd.

78F350 · 07-13-2015, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickman

And this is related to Boxsters how?

There is an Off Topic section which would likely be a better place for this.

The relationship to Boxsters is a bit abstract, but lots of people get it. Sorry that you are missing out.

Even the guys on Rennlist can relate apparently. Here's a Starship at KRVS from 2010 with better pics:
Posting in the 928 Forum

Pdwight · 07-13-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78F350

The relationship to Boxsters is a bit abstract, but lots of people get it. Sorry that you are missing out.

Even the guys on Rennlist can relate apparently. Here's a Starship at KRVS from 2010 with better pics:
Posting in the 928 Forum

Awesome, I love it

schnellman · 07-14-2015, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickman

And this is related to Boxsters how?

There is an Off Topic section which would likely be a better place for this.

I couldn't agree more.