AEROSTAR Aircraft For Sale

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AeroStar Aircraft Corporation’s history is strongly tied to Ted Smith, who began developing and producing the AeroStar family of twin-engine light transport aircraft in the 1960s through the Ted Smith Aircraft Company. Shortly after, American Cement bought controlling interest in the company before selling it to Butler Aviation, which renamed the company AeroStar Aviation Corporation. Smith reacquired the company in the mid-1970s. After Smith died in 1976, Piper Aircraft bought the rights to the AeroStar family in 1978.

Under Smith’s leadership, AeroStar’s first model was the AeroStar 600, which was certified in 1968. The company later produced the turbocharged AeroStar 601, 600A, 601A, and pressurized 601P. After Smith’s death, Piper Aircraft eventually introduced the AeroStar 700P to the AeroStar line. The first model was delivered in 1983. The final new AeroStar aircraft was produced in 1984. There are reportedly about 700 AeroStar models in service.

In 1991, Steve Speer and Jim Christy, former employees of Ted Smith’s, bought the company and named it AeroStar Aircraft Corporation, basing it in Idaho. The company provides maintenance and support for AeroStar models and continues developing new aircraft. The duo were also founders of Machen, which produced a modified version of the 700P called the Super 700.