Beechcraft Starship N514RS at Mojave, CA
I think it is quite obvious that I grew up loving aviation. As a child, when the Beechcraft Starship first was developed, I was instantly in love. Over 25 years later, it is still one modern and beautiful looking aircraft. The story of the Starship is sad and ends with only five still flying around the world.
Back in April 2010, after watching every video of the Starship I could find and being motivated by the one hanging from the Future of Flight, I put myself to the challenge of trying to get a ride in one.
I have had a lot of great (and sometimes crazy) flying experiences, but this is the one I have been pining over for a long time. I was very lucky to find Robert Scherer who owns NC514RS. He also holds most of the remaining Starship parts to make sure the the ones left remain flying for a long time.
I had the honor of meeting Robert and his airplane while at Oshkosh 2010. We were all set to fly from Aspen to Orange, CA in January of this year, but it did not work out. I took my flight from Seattle to Denver and was waiting for my connect to Aspen, but the weather had different plans and my flight was cancelled. Luckily I was able to hitch a ride back to Seattle, but my dream of flying of the Starship would have to wait.
So, it is time once again to give this a try. I have my tickets and we are all set to fly from Aspen to Orange, CA on Robert’s Starship on Sunday. Of course, I will be documenting every step of the way via photos, video and social media. The weather looks great and I gave myself plenty of time to get there, so let’s hope this time will work out.
My Quest to Ride on a Beechcraft Starship:
IDEA | CONNECT | TOUR | FLIGHT-PLAN | FAIL | FLIGHT | PHOTOS | VIDEO
Image: Kirk Kittell
I wonder how engine exhaust is going to affect propellers.
This is great story that you ave published over here about the aircraft aviation lover. I am really glad to know all this stuff this is really inspiring date for all other people, i thought we have to experienced this type of adventures.
so great! I’ve been waiting (wanting) to see his plane, I now live in CO, and see lots of smaller planes flying over I thought I saw it a month ago or so, but it was that other plane…Italian “thing” that looks very similar…
Awesome stuff dude! Congratulations on getting a ride in a Starship!