No. of Recommendations: 2
Their basic idea is to improve the aerodynamics and reduce the weight - giving a huge improvement in flight efficiency. They then combine that with SAF fuels - higher costs but lower emissions - to greatly reduce emissions.
Their idea is to eliminate windows, greatly reducing drag and weight, by instead using external cameras and interior screens for passengers. They then add expanded use of carbon fiber materials for further weight reduction. That also permits a new, teardrop, body shape. The new design is striking,Nothing new under the sun department. The Lear Fan, forty years ago, with a cameo appearance by the Beech Starship.
Crosswind Take-Off -- Enterprise -- 1984 (Lear Fan, Ltd.YouTube: Crosswind Take-Off -- Enterprise -- 1984 (Lear Fan, Ltd.) (pressmin)The Lear was never certified. iirc, sales of the Starship were so poor, Beech started buying back the few they sold, so they did not need to provide parts support for them. Unfortunately, no-one has uploaded the sequence from "Wind" where a Starship makes a delightfully aggressive landing approach.
Some beauty shots of a Starship here.
Beechcraft StarshipYouTube: Beechcraft Starship (AOPA: Your Freedom to Fly)Steve
