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Up Close with the Beechcraft Starship

Friday, November 2nd, 2012 – running time 09:56

We're taking you on a guided tour of one of the most unusual airplanes ever built, the Beechcraft Starship.

We're taking you on a guided tour of one of the most unusual airplanes ever built, the Beechcraft Starship.

A Very Unusual Airplane

The Beechcraft Starship was the first composite plane ever created, and only 11 were built.

00:01 | Play

History of NC-50

I talked to the current owner of this Starship, serial number NC-50. He told the story of how he came to own it, and some of the things that make the Beechcraft Starship a very unique plane in civil aviation.

00:52 | Play

Limitations of the Starship

The Starship is a Burt Rutan design, which accounts for many of its unique qualities, but also led to some complications, and ultimately the short production life of the plane.

02:42 | Play

The Problems of Trailblazing

As the first composite-construction plane, the Starship had a number of advantages, but also some issues such as greater weight than comparably-sized aircraft.

04:00 | Play

In the Cockpit of the Beechcraft Starship

The Starship had one of the first all-glass cockpits, with display screens replacing mechanical instruments. Many of the redundant systems are more reminiscent of commercial airliners than a smaller twin-engine plane.

06:54 | Play

The Forward Wing

The forward wing is used both to slow the plane on approach, and to make it more stall-proof.

08:55 | Play

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About the Show

Details
Show Title:
GeekBeat.TV
Description:
GeekBeat.TV presents the day's hottest stories, tips, trends, and news all in one place. It's the next can't-miss show for anyone looking to keep their finger on the pulse of the wired world.
Categories:
Technology & Gadgets
Launch Date:
Jun 25, 2010
Episodes:
Credits
Cali Lewis (Host)