JWise

I live a few miles from R.L. Jones Jr. airport (KRVS aka Riverside), which is one of the busier GA airports in the country. Quite a few unique aircraft there, and being an aviation buff I always enjoy driving by.

As this was such a nice fall evening, temperature 62 degrees, I decided to get the GT out and go for a drive. While passing the airport I noticed a Beechcraft Starship out on the ramp at one of the avionics shops. This is one of the few privately owned and airworthy ones left in existence, as Raytheon has taken virtually all of them back (after lease expiration) and destroyed most of them ( ).

After finishing there, I drove down past one of the FBO's and noticed this B-17 Flying Fortress (the "Liberty Belle") sitting out. It must have been in town selling rides or something, as I don't believe it's based here (there is a B-25 Mitchell here, however).

Anyway, definitely an enjoyable evening. The air was crisp and cool, windows were down, and the RMB was howling.

(it was getting dark, so you'll have to forgive me for the less than perfect photo quality)

Mrmerlin

Sweet,
nothing like a time capsule

S4ordie

Great pics Jarrod! Thanks for posting. Really beautiful lighting.

JWise

Indeed. And of particular interest to you, I have seen (and heard) a P-51 here. Alas, all I have are these very distant shots from the driveway of my previous home. Oh, the last one is a L-39 Czech trainer based here, also taken from my former driveway. (these shots are highly cropped, that's why they're so fuzzy. Those planes were over a mile away)

JWise

Thanks Dan! See you at 3rd Coast.

Erik N

That canard pusher is cool!

blown 87

I think Beech bought all of them back but that one.

JWise

Greg - I don't know how current his information is, but Bob Scherer lists 5 in active service:

http://www.bobscherer.com/Pages/Starship.htm

pcar928fan

Jarrod,

I knew we were birds of a feather...I too LOVE aircraft and one of these days will complete my private and have my own Piper Comanche 250!!!!

Anyway, you and I had the same idea about the same time this PM, but I live at an airport so when I go for a drive I am usually going AWAY from it! That said, the Beech is AWESOME!!! Never seen one live and in person, but what a cool bird that is!

BTW, your pic quality is EXCEPTIONAL! Also, don't you just LOVE the RMB's (mine is still a bit quiet...I was out in the '92)...

blown 87

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcr...ship#Survivors

Looks like we were both wrong, I knew I had read about "One" some where.
I guess this is where I got that stuck wrong.

From the wiki article


"Evergreen Air Center sold eight airframes back to private owners for $50,000 each. Most are being used for parts, however, one of these aircraft has since been made airworthy"

"nine Starships hold an active registration with the FAA"

JWise

Thanks James. Someday if/when family and finances permit, I intend to get a PPL. My father has a multi-engine land rating but quit flying when I was a young boy due to the expense.

I grew up reading Flying Magazine and even took a 4 credit hour "Intro to Aviation" class in college (basically a ground school class preparing you for the FAA written) Of course, that was an easy "A" for me. I can still remember getting chills up my spine while we were outside during break one day standing by the fence and a Cessna Citation pulled up not 50' away. Ah, the sounds/smells of a turbine! I'd be lying if I said I've never wondered if I took the wrong career path (I'm in banking).

Funny you mention the Comanche 250. In a previous role with my employer, my boss at the time had one of those. I was low man on the totem pole back then and was always the one to take him to/from the local airport (we examined our employer's banks state-wide, he flew, I had to drive). He was a great boss and would have taken me up for some flying had the company permitted (he was forbidden from flying employees, they were scared of the liability risk).

Of course I could start flight training right now if I sold the GT...

john gill

AH warbirds

My favorite subject

JG

Nicole

That Beechcraft is really cool!