The Aerostar is one of the few airplanes that occupies black-and-white polar opposites. It’s cheaper to buy than a decent mid-1980s Bonanza and will leave the Bo—and about everything else—sucking propwash, speedwise.

The piper to be paid, however, is high cost of operation. The Aerostar burns fuel prodigiously—although it doesn’t have to—and owners say that if you can’t afford regular and often expensive maintenance, don’t even think about an Aerostar. But if all you think about is speed, this flashy twin may be the only choice. …