The Piper Aerostar 600 is the fastest piston twin ever certified, and out of Los Angeles that speed is the only reason to choose it. Five seats at 200 knots, on an airframe designed by Ted Smith to outrun everything in its class.
Ted Smith designed the Aerostar and Piper produced it from 1978; the 600 is the normally aspirated model. Two Lycoming IO-540 engines, a mid-mounted wing and a slim fuselage give it the highest cruise of any production piston twin. Five seats and 1,161 nautical miles of range. Full specifications for the Piper Aerostar 600 are published by Piper Aircraft.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Piston
- Manufacturer: Piper Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1967
- Seating: 5
- Crew: 1
- Range: 1,161 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 200 knots
- Service ceiling: 21,200 feet
- Length: 34.8 feet
- Wingspan: 34.2 feet
- Height: 12.1 feet
- Baggage volume: 30 cubic feet
Why the Piper Aerostar 600 Fits Los Angeles
On the short Los Angeles runs the Aerostar’s speed shows against a Baron or an Aztec, and it does it without moving into turboprop money. Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and San Diego all come inside a comfortable half hour or so.
The cabin is narrower than a Baron’s and access is less convenient, which is the trade for the aerodynamics. Five seats is a genuine five, but luggage needs planning on a weekend trip.
The Part 135 fleet is small, so short-notice availability in Southern California is less reliable than a Baron. When it is not there, a Baron 58 or a Cessna 340 covers the same routes.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Piper Aerostar 600 run $1,000 to $1,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Aerostar 600 quotes at the bottom of the piston band, and on a short Los Angeles leg it is one of the cheapest twins available.
Other Pistons Available
- Beech Baron 58
- Beechcraft Baron G58
- Cessna 340
- Cirrus SR-22
- Piper Cherokee Six PA-32
- Piper Navajo / Cheyenne / Chieftain
The full pistons category page lists every piston we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Piper Aerostar 600 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.