Identify me this aircraft
Discussion
That flew over me here in Colorado a few minutes ago. Sorry, no pictures.
It was heading southeast at the time, over Parker, Colorado, so possibly en-route to or from Centennial airport.
It was a pusher canard, and my initial thought was "Piaggio Avanti, don't see too many of them".
Then I realised it was single engine (no podded engines at least - it was/is pretty bright out). Also, it had winglets, so not an Avanti.
Much more of a swept/delta wing shape, too, thought with a similarly long front fuselage.
A google reveals more pusher canards than I thought existed, though none seem to fit.
Ideas?
It was heading southeast at the time, over Parker, Colorado, so possibly en-route to or from Centennial airport.
It was a pusher canard, and my initial thought was "Piaggio Avanti, don't see too many of them".
Then I realised it was single engine (no podded engines at least - it was/is pretty bright out). Also, it had winglets, so not an Avanti.
Much more of a swept/delta wing shape, too, thought with a similarly long front fuselage.
A google reveals more pusher canards than I thought existed, though none seem to fit.
Ideas?
Not a Long-EZ for sure - it had retracts, and more of a look and size of a small business aircraft than anything else. Hence the first thought of Avanti.
AASI Jetcruzer is the closest match I've found so far, though I'd say the fuselage in front of the wing was longer and more slender (possibly same size but just longer). Also, I <think> the canards were more swept.
AASI Jetcruzer is the closest match I've found so far, though I'd say the fuselage in front of the wing was longer and more slender (possibly same size but just longer). Also, I <think> the canards were more swept.
Hmm, I note that NC-51 is still active.
If it wasn't for the twin engines, I'd say Starship. Wingform and canard shape is right, overall size and proportions are right.
The angle I saw it at could have make the engine pods less obvious - quite low, quite side on to me, so I'm going to assume Starship unless anyone can come up with anything else.
Any one have an idea on how to check on local civil flights / flight plans in the US?
If it wasn't for the twin engines, I'd say Starship. Wingform and canard shape is right, overall size and proportions are right.
The angle I saw it at could have make the engine pods less obvious - quite low, quite side on to me, so I'm going to assume Starship unless anyone can come up with anything else.
Any one have an idea on how to check on local civil flights / flight plans in the US?
Wiki said:
As of January 2010, nine Starships hold an active registration with the FAA. Three Starships are registered in Oklahoma (NC-29, NC-35 & NC-45), one in Texas (NC-50), one in Colorado (NC-51), and four are registered to Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas (NC-2, NC-8, NC-19 & NC-24). NC-51 was used as a chase plane during the re-entry phase of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne. In October 2008 NC-29 was the first of the five remaining privately-owned airworthy Starships to complete RVSM certification, returning the aircraft's service ceiling to the original FL410 limit.
So possibly. I was vaguely aware that there were some still flying, and one was in Colorado, as of a few years back, but thought by now they'd all be extinct.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff