Quote:
Originally Posted by bugstrider
Beechcraft designed and built the Starship. Just to bad the idea never gained traction.
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The FAA was unfamiliar with composite construction when Beech had the Starship certified.
Being that it's difficult to examine composite construction for hidden flaws, the FAA's requirements for structural redundancy added so much weight from the original design that the final product had limited payload, and didn't offer the much higher performance over the King Air that was expected.
Though the King Air is among the slower turboprops, it's easy to fly, is stable, and offers a large, comfortable cabin.
Pilots enjoy flying hot rods, but when the CEO, who is riding in the back picks out the airplane, he votes for the big, comfortable cabin.
Beechcraft has sold a ton of them.