What is the fastest (cruise) piston twin that can be purchased for under 200k?
Off the top of my head - a late 70's Aerostar 601P - solid 235Kts. Wouldn't buy one myself, but that's a lot of speed for the money.
I have known two people who owned Aerostars and I know one who flies one right now. That is not an airplane for someone who is not a high time pilot or who has not built up time in a faster machine. It is one that will arrive at the detination 40 minutes before the pilot does. Designed by the same guy that designed the A-20 and A-26 and he knew FAST. Switches
I've also heard the Aerostar - but as said it is a pilot challenge not for the faint hearted - just look at those tiny wings. I have also heard it's a maintenence challenge as well.
I am planning on moving across the country and want a fast plane to get me "home" again. I would never think of flying one of these things until I had enough training and my sign off. I was thinking a fast experimental like a Glassair might do 210 kts....so, the trade off to have a twin wouldn't be worth it...I don't think. I wouldn't be carrying anything but myself and some luggage anyway.
I don't believe there is any such thing. A Glassaire 300 is about as fast as any but they don't build them anymore. There are some good plastic singles available that skoot right along. Switches
Most of the "fast" singles, primarily experimentals, are not so fast when you consider all the tradeoffs. A 210 knot aircraft is not so fast when you need to stop every 500-600 miles to fuel up. kind of puts a crimp in your block to block time. Some of these won't even allow you to carry more than an overnight bag due to weight and volume deficiencies. Depending on what your mission requirements are, some good fast singles with reasonable to bladder bursting legs you may want to consider are Mooney 231's and later or [shameless plug] Piper Comanches. Planeflyr
Well, I have looked at the Mooneys and the Pipers and I like them. But, I will only be carrying myself and my bag 95% of the time. If you believe the data posted to the company website, they claim that a Glasair III can cruise at 272 kts at 24,000 feet (300hp turbo). They also claim a 1200 mile range. This sounds pretty good compared to let's say a Mooney for, I would guess, more money? If it could actually cruise at that speed, that sounds like a better option than any twin in the same price range.
I saw some of the flight tests of the Glasaire 300 and they were flying a race track course around the towns of Marysville and Arlington and they were doing a consistent 300MPH. Of course under all the ideal conditions of weather, test weight, and good piloting you can get an airplane to do things that it won't do in line-use but that airplane is very fast and efficient. There are some newer plastic wonders that are prettier and faster but the Glasaire is still pretty darn good. I always liked the Mooney too. I flew a Bellanca Cruisemaster once years ago that cruised at 230 with a 230HP Cont. A bit small inside but beautiful to fly. Landed at just over 40MPH but the wooden wing would of course limit the life.
The Bellancas are the most incredible and under-appreciated aircraft for pure speed and basic technology.
Few people know about those airplanes. I really liked them. Right after the war they came out with Cardboard Connie with a 155 Franklin and it cruised close to 155 with some weight adjustments on the prop. I loved that airplane. Switches
Probably not what your looking for but a neat little plane none the less. Stolen from a post on Ferrarichat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SmLdAWEDmY http://www.legendaircraft.net/statistical_data.htm
