Beechcraft Starship 2000

The composite canard twin built to redefine business aviation design

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Beechcraft Starship ‘N45FL’ © John Murphy

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Overview

Hawker Beechcraft United States ICAO: STAR 1986–1995 Active $4.7 million (1993)

The Beechcraft Starship 2000 was an advanced twin-engine turboprop designed with composite construction and a canard layout. Developed in the 1980s, it aimed to deliver jet-like comfort with turboprop efficiency. The aircraft became one of the most unconventional business aircraft of its era.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
2 × 1,200 shp · 895 kW
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4
Wing tips
Blended tips
Seats
8
Crew
—
Cabin width
5 ft 7 in  ·  1.70 m
Cabin height
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Cabin length
21 ft 2 in  ·  6.44 m
Exterior length
46 ft 1 in  ·  14.05 m
Tail height
12 ft 11 in  ·  3.94 m
Fuselage diameter
6 ft 1 in  ·  1.85 m
Wing span
54 ft 5 in  ·  16.58 m
Baggage volume
53 ft³  ·  1.5 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
14,900 lb  ·  6,750 kg
Max landing weight
13,700 lb  ·  6,200 kg
Max payload
1,200 lb  ·  550 kg
Fuel capacity
570 gal · 2,100 L · 1,700 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
335 kt  ·  386 mph  ·  620 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
97 kt  ·  112 mph  ·  180 km/h
Range
1,576 nm  ·  1,810 mi  ·  2,920 km
Fuel burn
2.79 nm/gal  ·  1.36 km/L
Ceiling
41,000 ft  ·  12,500 m
Rate of climb
2,748 ft/min  ·  14 m/s
Takeoff distance
3,100 ft  ·  950 m
Landing distance
2,400 ft  ·  730 m
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Beechcraft Starship in flight.

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Operational Context

Beechcraft Starship 2000 — composite canard turboprop

The Starship program began in the early 1980s under Beechcraft, with significant design input from Burt Rutan. The aircraft first flew in 1986 and entered limited service in 1989. Its distinctive forward canard and rear-mounted pusher turboprops set it apart from conventional business aircraft.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A turboprop engines producing approximately 1,200 shaft horsepower each, the Starship cruised at around 300 knots (555 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg). The pressurized cabin accommodated six to eight passengers in executive configuration.

Despite advanced aerodynamics and composite construction, sales were limited due to high development costs and market resistance to its unconventional appearance. Production ended in the 1990s after fewer than 60 aircraft were delivered. The Starship remains a notable experiment in modern composite aircraft design.