In fairness, FL250 is rarely a good altitude for a Malibu. More that half the time you're battling headwinds so will stay down low. It does take a long time and (relatively) a lot of fuel to get up there particularly if over ISA temps. And if under ISA you're going to be cold.

But ... those days you have at tailwind and are looking to go 750-1500 miles, it will do it.

(Before I sold the Malibu I was planning a non-stop UIL-BHB. Should be doable with typical winter winds in a stock Malibu)

Welcome to the forum, Adam.

Thanks Tony. Don't know how I missed your compliment from July.

Hi Adam...nice write up the Aerostar. Add the winglets and the Superstar 700 takes off like a Cessna 182..."mushy" feeling is totally gone...and you accelerate through blueline (117 KIAS) almost in a "blink of the eye" and then can climb at 2,300+fpm @ 128 KIAS (84 gph...YIKES,) or climb @ 1,000 fpm @ 170 KIAS. Fun to be climbing @ 200 KTAS @ full power or do a low power climb @ 140 KIAS @ 1,000 fpm burning 48 gph (like my B58).

You are going to love the performance from your newly overhauled engines!

Tom

Thanks. Yes, winglets are on that list of financial ruin. First is the aux tank, though. That's the one mod I'm doing first. I want to do LA to NY nonstop one day, and with some planning, some favourable winds I think it can be done.

I had a 1979 601P. One great memory with the plane was my sons and I in 1993 applied for a National and World speed record, and we made it, for a flight from KRHV San Jose to KOSH Oshkosh. Now after reading a bunch of these posts I can't remember why I wanted to sell it.

Buddy of mine is looking at adding the winglets to his 700P. Must be the thing to do.

The technology and design for winglets on piston engine airplanes may be advancing. Still, I can't help but look back the the Foxstar which was truly "much ado about nothing". Also, I wonder why almost 35 years after the concept was developed, piston engine and for the most part turbine manufacturers have not "jumped on board". It also makes me skeptical when someone introduces the mod with absolutely no engineering evidence to back up claims and no FAA modifications to the performance numbers in the aircraft POH. So, meaning no disrespect to anyone who chooses to place the "design" on their aircraft, that's their business and their money, I must admit whenever it comes to mind, I think of the following joke.

Four old ladies were sitting in their assisted care rec room playing cards. Each was trying to out brag the other about what their children had done for them for Christmas.

First Lady: My son bought me a three carat diamond ring for Christmas.
Second Lady: That's wonderful.
Third Lady: That's marvelous.
Fourth Lady: Fantastic.

Not to be outdone, the second lady says: My son took me to Hawaii for Christmas.
Third Lady: That's marvelous.
First Lady: How sweet.
Fourth Lady: Fantastic.

Finally, the third lady chimes in: My daughter took me on a European tour for Christmas and bought me a mink coat.

First Lady: How thoughtful.
Second Lady: Simply wonderful.
Fourth Lady: Fantastic.

After a few minutes of near silence, the First Lady turns to the Fourth Lady and asks: What have your children done for you lately?
Fourth Lady: Sent me to finishing school.
Second Lady: What did they teach you in finishing school?
Fourth Lady: How to say "fantastic" instead of bull %#$@.

Owning an Aerostar, I anxiously await empirical engineering evidence to the contrary. That is not to say that I would install it. I think it ruins the lines of an otherwise exquisite design.

Jgreen

It's a lawyer from Texas who owns that one. He might be on this board. It's on of the last ones made, a 700P (I think). They way you can tell is that the pitot tube has been removed from top of fin down to the side of the fuselage, where it should have been all the time to be honest. Sure, it runs in smooth air up there, but it's hard to cover and inspect without a cherry picker!

The Texas guy has the new 4-blade MT props and the winglets installed now. Very pretty.



Anyway, 702PG has a gorgeous paint job. I want do mine with a base of metallic gray as well. Really looks good on Aerostars when they're off white or solid colours. Here's the Spirit of Kai Tak that broke the London to Sydney speed record a few years ago. Think it averaged 276kts and even beat the C90... This photo is either before or after they removed the gold dragon they had painted on the fuselage. Red is not my colour, but a solid does work well on the lines of the AEST.