Ted Smith Aerostar
![]() Aerostar 600A
Designed by Ted Smith during late 1964 as a dual controlled high performance twin engined executive / light transport aircraft, the prototype first flew in November 1966 and had 160‑horsepower Lycoming IO-320 engines, but the airframe was designed to take various powerplants up to turbines without major changes. Accommodating six passengers, the cabin measures 12 ft 6 in long, 46 in wide, and 48 in high and a 30 cu.ft baggage compartment aft has an external access through a 24in high and 22in wide door.
Entry through the left hand clamshell door allows everyone to board before the pilot, get settled in, and then he just slides in and buttons up. Also situated on the port side is the door to the 30 cu ft 240 lbs baggage locker. The two 24 volt batteries are situated in the rear fuselage area along with the 35,000 BTU heater. Large fowIer flaps are fitted and, like the undercarriage, are hydraulically operated. The main undercarriage wheels retract inwards while the nose wheel retracts forwards. The undercarriage is held in the up position by hydraulic pressure alone, there is no lock.
![]() Aerostar 600
The Aerostar 600 received FAA certification during March 1968 for the Ted Smith Aircraft Co. The production type flying for the first time during October 1967. The 290hp Lycoming IO‑540, used on the first production airplane delivered in 1968, was available on Aerostars in a normally aspirated or a turbocharged version.The FAA approved the type on 12 April 1978 for Piper.
![]() Aerostar 600A
The three Piper Aerostars - the non-turbocharged 600, turbocharged 601 B and pressurized 601P - are virtually identical in appearance. Heavy, butt-joined and flush-riveted skins give the airplane an extremely smooth surface, and the thicker than usual gauge metal serves two purposes. Its extra strength reduces the amount of internal structure needed, and it deforms less during flight to more accurately retain its aerodynamic shape.
![]() Piper Aerostar PA60-600 OO-RAP (c/n 61-0273-105)
In 1981, Piper introduced the 602P. This airplane is virtually identical to the 601P except for the engines, and they are quite different, even though the horsepower remains the same at 290 a side. The 602P has an engine-turbocharger package that was designed as one unit and offers greater usable horsepower. This can be seen directly in single-engine ceiling: 12,900 feet compared with 9,300 feet for the 601P. Maximum cruise was scaled back a bit from the 601P's original num-ber, to 245 knots. Some of this 11-knot loss can be attributed to a higher maximum takeoff weight, 6,000 pounds as compared with 5,700 pounds for the original, and the rest would go to the drag of the extended wingspan.
The Speedstar 850 was a modification to fit one nose mounted turboprop engine, instead of the two wing mounted engines. 25 were produced between 1983 and 1985.
![]() Speedstar 850
The Aerostar was produced between 1967 and 1984, of the 1010 produced, 519 were built by Piper.
Aerostar 600
Engines: 2 x Lycoming IO-540, 290 hp
Wing Span: 34 ft 2.5 in / 10.43 m
Length: 34 ft 9.75 in / 10.61 m
Height: 12 ft 1.5 in
Wing Area: 170 sq ft
Wing Loading: 32.3 lb/sq ft
Power Loading: 9.5 lb/sq ft
Baggage Capacity: 30 Cu ft, 200 lb
MTOW: 5,500 lb / 2495 kg
Max Zero-Fuel Weight: 4,450 lb
Empty Weight: 3425 lb / 1553 kg
Standard Useful: 1,700 lb
Minimum Control Speed: 97 mph
Best Rate of Climb Speed: 145 mph
Best Rate of Climb Single Engine: 135 mph
Best Angle of Climb Speed: 125 mph
Best Angle of Climb Single Engine 125 mph
Never Exceed Speed: 278 mph
Maneuvering Speed: 187 mph
Max Flap Extension Speed: 20 degrees - 180 mph, Full flaps: 148 mph
Max Gear Extension Speed: 180 mph
Max Gear Retraction Speed: 150 mph
Max Speed at Sea Level: 260 mph
Cruising Speed 70% at 10,000 ft / 3050m: 250 mph / 217 kt / 402 kph
Cruising Speed 65% at 10,000 ft: 209 kts
Cruising Speed 55% at 10,000 ft: 223 mph
Stalling Speed: (dirty, power off) 77 mph
Rate of Climb at Sea Level: 1,850 fpm / 564 m/min
Rate of Climb Single Engine: 450 fpm
Service Ceiling: 22,000 ft
Single Engine ceiling: 6,300 ft
Takeoff Distance: 1,095 ft
Takeoff Distance Over 50ft: 2,120 ft
Landing Distance: 932 ft
Landing Distance Over 50 ft: 2,032 ft
Fuel Capacity (usable): 170 USG
Range (max fuel, 45 min res) max cruise, 250 mph: 1,063 sm
Range (max fuel, 30 min res) 65% 10,000ft/3050m, 250 mph: 1,400 sm / 1216 nm / 2250 km
Max range, 204 mph: 1,650 sm
Wheel track: 10.2 ft
Baggage cap: 240 lbs / 109 kg / 30 cu.ft / 0.85 cu.m
Seats: 6
Vmc: 92 mph
T/O dist: 1000 ft
T/O dist 50 ft: 1400 ft
Ldg dist: 895 ft
Ldg dist 50 ft: 2420 ft
Cabin length: 12 ft 6 in / 3.81 m
Cabin width: 3 ft 10 in / 1.17 m
Cabin height: 4 ft 0 in / 1.22 m
Aerostar 600A
- similar to the 600 but with minor detail changes.
Engines: 2 x Lycoming IO-540-K1J5, 290 hp
TBO: 2000 hrs
Props: Hartzell 3-blade CS full feathering 6 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 34 ft 2 in
Wing area: 170 sq.ft
Wing aspect ratio: 6.9
Length: 34 ft 9.75 in
Height: 12 ft 1.25 in
Max ramp wt: 5525 lb
Max take off wt: 5500 lb
Standard empty wt: 3560 lb
Max useful load: 1763 lb
Max landing wt: 5500 lb
Wing loading: 32.4 lbs/sq.ft
Power loading: 9.5 lbs/hp
Max useable fuel: 993 lb / 177 USG
Baggage capacity: 240 lb
Climb rate: 1800 fpm @ 122 kt
Climb gradient: 885 ft/nm
Rate of climb @ 8000 ft: 1150 fpm
Service ceiling; 21,200 ft
SE rate of climb: 360 fpm @ 113 kt
SE climb gradient: 239 f/nm
SE ceiling: 6300 ft
Max speed SL: 260 mph / 226 kt
Cruise @ 65% power @ 8,000ft: 207 kt
Fuel flow @ 65% power @ 8,000ft: 185 pph
Endurance @ 65% power @ 8,000ft: 5.1 hr
Cruise speed 10,000ft: 250 mph
Stalling speed clean: 76 kt
Stall speed gear/flaps down: 74 kt
Turbulent air penetration speed: 163 kt
Retractable undercarriage
T/O dist (50 ft): 1400 ft
Ldg dist (50ft): 1950 ft
Range 9000ft: 1408 mi
Seats: 6
Aerostar 600AE
Designation for types sold in Europe
Aerostar 601 / PA-61
Later designated PA-61
FAA approved during November 1968 for the Ted Smith Aircraft Co and on 12 April 1978 for Piper.
Engines: 2 x Lycoming IO-540-S1A5, 29 hp
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
Max speed: 240 kts
Fuel cap: 177 USG
Range (no res): 1436 sm
Stall, clean: 77 kts
Vmc: 80 kt
117 produced.
Aerostar 601B / PA-61
Later designated PA-61
Increased wingspan, same as 601P
Engines: 2 x Lycoming IO 540 P1A5 or S1A5, 290 hp
TBO: 1,800 hrs
Props: Hartzell constant speed, full feathering
Wingspan: 36 ft 8 in
Length: 34 ft 9.75 in
Height: 12 ft 1.25 in
Wing area: 178.2 sq.ft
Baggage capacity: 240 lb
Empty weight: 4031 lb
Useful load: 1,969 lb
Payload with full fuel: 922 lb
Gross weight: 6,000 lb
Maximum landing weight: 6,000 lb
Usable fuel capacity: 174.5 USG/1,047 lb
Wing loading: 33.6 lb/sq.ft
Power loading: 9.13 lb/hp
Max speed 25,000ft: 302 mph / 259 kt
Max cruise, 75% power at 25,000 ft: 236 kt
Econ cruise, 55% power at 25,000 ft: 212 kt
Duration at max cruise: 4.8 hr
Duration at econ cruise: 6.4 hr
Stalling speed, clean: 79 kt
Stalling speed, full flaps: 71 kt
Maximum rate of climb: 1,530 fpm
Single engine rate of climb: 254 fpm
Single engine climb gradient 109 knots (Vyse): 141 ft/nm
Certificated ceiling: 30,000 ft
Single engine service ceiling: 9,250 ft
Takeoff 50 ft: 2310 ft
Landing from 50 ft: 2175 ft
Range 25,000ft: 1435 mi
Seats: 6
44 produced
Aerostar 600BE
Designation for types sold in Europe
Aerostar 600P / PA-61P
Later PA-61P.
Produced from 1972, pressurised, increased weights and turbocharged engines.
492 produced
Aerostar 600PE
Designation for types sold in Europe
Aerostar 601P
Engine: 2 x Lycoming IO-540-S1A5, 290 hp
Seats: 6
Wing loading: 33.7 lb/sq.ft
Pwr loading: 10.2 lb/hp
Gross wt: 6000 lb
Empty wt: 4000 lb
Equipped useful load: 1970 lb
Baggage capacity: 240 lb
Payload max fuel: 923 lb
Range max fuel/75%: 1125nm/4.5hr
Range max fuel /55%: 1304nm/6.2hr
Service ceiling: 26,350 ft
Max speed 25,000ft: 290 mph
75% cruise @ 25,000 ft: 247 kt
Cruise: 230 kts @ 65% pwr @ 20,000ft
55% Cruise: 212 kt
Vmc: 80 kt
Stall: 69-77 kt
1.3 Vso: 90 kt
ROC: 1530 fpm
SE ROC: 285 fpm @ 117 kt
SE ceiling: 9100 ft
Min field length: 2047 ft
T/O dist (50 ft): 2310 ft
Ldg dist (50ft): 2100 ft
Fuel cap: 1047 lb / 177 USG
Cabin pressure: 4.25 psi
PA-60 Aerostar 602
Engines: 2 x 290 hp Lycoming
Seats: 6
Empty Wt: 4125 lbs
Gross wt: 6000 lbs
Useful load: 1875 lbs
Max Cruise: 283 mph
Max range: 1260 sm
PA-60 Aerostar 602P
Piper-developed version of the 601P with the 290 hp Lycoming TIO-540-AA1A5 engines
First built: 1974
Engine: 2 x Lycoming IO-540-AA1A5, 290 hp
TBO: 1800 hr
Prop: Hartzell 3 blade, constant speed 78 in
Seats: 6
Length: 34.8 ft
Height: 12.1 ft
Wingspan: 36.7 ft
Wing area: 178 sq.ft
Wing aspect ratio: 7.6
Max ramp wt: 6029 lb
Max take off wt: 6000 lb
Standard empty wt: 4075 lb
Max useful load: 1954 lb
Max landing wt: 6000 lb
Wing loading: 33.7 lbs/sq.ft
Power loading: 10.3 lbs/hp
Max useable fuel: 993 lb
Climb rate: 1460 fpm @ 117 kt
Climb gradient: 749 ft/nm
Rate of climb @ 8000 ft: 1320 fpm
Certificated ceiling; 25,000 ft
8,000 ft cabin altitude: 20,600 ft
SE rate of climb: 240 fpm @ 109 kt
SE climb gradient: 131 f/nm
SE ceiling: 8800 ft
Max speed: 257 kts
Cruise @ 65% power @ 8,000ft: 203 kts
Cruise @ 65% pwr @ 18,000 ft: 220 kts
Fuel flow @ 65% power @ 18,000ft: 182 pph
Endurance @ 65% power @ 8,000ft: 5.2 hr
Stalling speed clean: 79 kts
Stall speed gear/flaps down: 77 kts
Turbulent air penetration speed: 167 kts
Retractable undercarriage
124 built
1981 Piper Aerostar 602P
Engines: 2 x Lycoming IO 540 AA1A5, 290 hp
Recommended TBO: 1,800 hrs
Props: Hartzell, 3 blade, 78 in dia
Length: 34.83 ft
Height: 12.17 ft
Wingspan: 36.67 ft
Wing area: 178 sq ft
Max ramp weight: 6,029 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 6000 lb
Empty weight: 4,406 lb
Useful load: 1,623 lb
Zero fuel weight: 5,900 lb
Maximum landing weight: 6,000 lb
Wing loading: 33.7 lbs/sq ft
Power loading: 10.3 lbs/hp
Max usable fuel: 165.5 USG/993 lb
Certified ceiling: 25,000 ft
Max pressurization differential: 4.25 psi
8000 ft cabin altitude at: 20,600 ft
Max rate of climb: 1,755 fpm
Max single engine rate of climb: 302 fpm
Single engine climb gradient: 154 ft/nm
Single engine service ceiling: 12,900 ft
Maximum cruise speed, FL 250: 245 kt
Cruise, 65% power at 15,000 ft: 210 kt
Cruise, 65% power at FL 250: 226 kt
Fuel flow at 65%: 32.4 gph, 199.4 pph
Endurance at 65%, no res: 6.2 hr
Stalling speed, clean: 86 kts
Stalling speed, flaps down: 77 kt
Turbulent air penetration speed: 167 kt
620
A pressurised Aerostar with 310 hp TIO-540 engines, one built.
700 Superstar
Prototype of stretched fuselage variant. Additional fuel capacity, increased takeoff weight
Engines: 2 x IO-540M
PA-60 Aerostar 700P
also designated the PA-60
602P with counter-rotating Lycoming TIO-540-U2A engines
Props: Hartzell, 3 blade, 76 in
Wingspan: 36 ft 8 in
Length: 34 ft 9.75 in
Height: 12 ft 1.25 in
Wing area: 178.2 sq.ft
Wing aspect ratio: 7.6
Max ramp wt: 6356 lb
MTOW: 6315 lb
Empty wt: 4221 lb
Max useful load: 2135 lb
Zero-fuel wt: 6050 lb
Max ldg wt: 6000 lb
Baggage capacity: 240 lb / 1233 lb
Fuel capacity: 177 USG
Wing loading: 35.4 lb/sq.ft
Pwr loading: 9.02 lb/sq.ft
Max speed: 300 mph
Cruise 81% pwr, 25,000 ft: 261 kts
Fuel flow @ 81% pwr: 307 pph
Endurance @ 81% pwr: 3.5 hr
Cruise 65% pwr: 226 kts
Fuel flow @ 81% pwr: 210 pph
Cruise 55% pwr: 212 kts
Fuel flow @ 81% pwr: 185 pph
Stall (clean) 87 kts
Stall (flap / u/c down): 80 kts
Turbulent air penetration: 160 kts
Best ROC: 1840 fpm @ 116 kt
Climb gradient: 952 ft/nm
ROC @ 8000 ft: 1725 fpm
Certified ceiling: 25,000 ft
SE ROC: 325 fpm @ 116 kts
SE climb gradient: 168 ft/nm
SE ceiling: 15,100 ft
Max pressurisation differential: 4.25 psi
8000ft cabin alt. at: 20,600 ft
Range: 1025 mi
Seats: 6
26 built
PA-60-702P
New modification of 700P with a reinforced nose gear allowing for higher takeoff weight
800
601P with stretched fuselage, enlarged tail and two 400 hp Lycoming engines, one built.
Speedstar 850
one nose mounted turboprop engine
25 produced
![]() Aerostar 601
|