General Aviation Aircraft

Explore the world of general aviation aircraft with our reviews. Written from a pilot’s perspective, these reviews provide fantastic insight into what these general aviation planes are really like.

January 6, 2016

CubCrafters XCub: Way Beyond Super Cub
Fast, slick and certified, CubCrafters XCub is a clean-sheet, next-gen Part 23 taildragger with an attitude and a blue-skies future

Pulling the nose up, the forward visibility still surprisingly good for a tandem taildragger, I put the needle of the airspeed indicator—yes, there’s still a needle—right at best rate of climb, 70 mph—yes, there are still miles per hour, too. Mindful that this is the clean configuration stall speed for a lot of singles, I more »
January 1, 2016

Pipistrel Panthera

The Pipistrel Panthera we flew for this report is a factory prototype outfitted with an Experimental Lycoming IO-390 four-cylinder engine of 210 hp. The to-be-certified Panthera will likely be equipped with a six-cylinder 260 hp Lycoming IO-540, so these specifications are only preliminary. SPECIFICATIONS Projected base price: $470,000 Engine:  Lycoming IO-390 Seats: 4 Horsepower: 210 more »
December 29, 2015

2016 Piston Singles
We feature the best players in piston singles for the new year

For 2015, the aircraft diesel revolution has lost some of its momentum, at least temporarily, but most of the airplanes we grew up with are still with us.
December 14, 2015

Carbon Cub EX-2

Carbon Cub EX-2 SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 180-hp Aerosport Power CC340 Airfoil: Modified USA 35(B) (same as Super Cub) Wing loading: 7.4 lbs./sq.ft. @1,320 lbs; 10.44 lbs./sq. ft. @1,865 lbs. Power loading: 7.33 lbs./hp @ 1,320 lbs; 10.26 lbs./hp @1,865 lbs. Seats: 2 Length: 23 ft. 3 in. Height: 8 ft. 4 in. Wingspan: 34 ft. 3 more »
December 7, 2015

Daher TMB 900

Daher TMB 900 SPECIFICATIONS Engine(s) make/model: P&W PT6A-66D Shaft Hp: 850 Fuel type: Jet A Landing gear type: Tri/Retr Max TO weight (lbs.): 7394 Empty weight (lbs.): 4629 Max Payload (lbs.): 1403 Max Zero Fuel Weight (lbs.): 6032 Max Landing Weight (lbs.): 7024 Useful load–std (lbs.): 2765 Usable fuel–std (gal/lbs.): 291.6/1910 Payload–full std fuel (lbs.): more »
December 2, 2015

Zenith STOL CH750

(click on image for full resolution desktop picture) The Zenith STOL CH750 cruises above ground fog-laden fields near Winter Haven, Fla. The CH750 was designed as a great bushplane for short takeoff and landing (STOL). The all-metal plane also features a spacious cabin and the latest in avionics. Photo Platform: Cessna 210 flown by Bruce more »
October 30, 2015

SuperSTOL XL

Just Aircraft SuperSTOL XL SPECIFICATIONS Engine(s) make/model: Lycoming 0-320, UL520 Horsepower: 100-180 Fuel type: 100 Landing gear type: Conv/fxd Max TO weight (lbs.): 1320 Empty weight (lbs.): 770 Useful load–std (lbs.): 580 Usable fuel–std (gal./lbs.): 27 Payload–full std fuel (lbs.): 418 Power Loading (lbs./hp): 7.3 minimum Wingspan:  31 feet, 3 inches Overall length: 21 feet, more »
October 26, 2015

Backin’ From The Dock In The Bay
A reversible MT Prop gives added flexibility to the Aviat Husky

With only tiny ripples from a small wind gust disturbing the surface of Lake Nokomis, Dave Zawistowski gently pushed the left rudder pedal to the stop as the wavelets lapped against the sides of the Wipaire amphibious floats.
October 26, 2015

Aviat A1C Husky

Aviat A1C Husky SPECIFICATIONS Base Price: $235,466.00 Engine Make: 180 HP Lycoming 0-360-A1P Propeller: MT MTV-9-B-C-R-M/CR200-52 Floats: Wipaire 2100A Wingspan: 35 ft. 6 in. Length: 22 ft. 7 in. Wing Area (sq. ft.): 183 Gross Weight (lbs.) w/ floats: 2250 Empty Weight (lbs.): 1706 Useful Load (lbs.): 544 Cargo Capacity (cu. ft./lbs.):  10/50 Aft Stowage more »
September 25, 2015

Peterson Kenai

Peterson Kenai SPECIFICATIONS Engine: Continental IO-550 Horsepower (hp): 300 Propeller: 82-inch, 3 blade. Optional 86-inch. Gross Weight (lbs.): 3100 Empty Weight (lbs.): 1890 Useful Load (lbs.): 1210 Baggage Capacity (lbs.): 200 Wingspan (feet): 36 Length (feet): 29 Height: 9 feet 2 inches Seating Capacity:  4 Cabin Width (inches): 42 PERFORMANCE VNE (knots): 179 knots Cruise more »
September 25, 2015

Kenai: King Of The Asphalt
With its distinctive canard, the Kenai adds speed and refinement to a backcountry pedigree

Most musicians and guitar aficionados know about the legendary and mystical “Custom Shop,” located deep in the bowels of Fender Musical Instruments’ headquarters in Corona, Calif. It’s here that drool-worthy dreams are made, and where custom, one-of-a-kind guitars and amplifiers are born.
September 24, 2015

The Remarkable Mooney 205
Few airplanes fly so fast with so little horsepower

Speed and horsepower don’t make very good bedfellows. While it’s true more power will increase speed, the trade-off is grossly disproportionate. Forget the math—it takes an exponential amount of power to improve cruise enough to notice. Ask Lyle Shelton, owner of Rare Bear, the Unlimited Class racing F8F Bearcat that’s won the Reno event a more »
September 21, 2015

Making Safety More Than A Mirage
The updated single brings pilot protection and comfort up to speed

Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, Piper’s PA-46 Malibu has undergone a series of significant performance enhancements, while its cabin, often less noticed, has seen corresponding makeovers of its own.
September 21, 2015

Piper PA-46 M350

Piper PA-46 M350 SPECIFICATIONS Standard Equipped List Price: $1,155,500 Engine: 350-hp turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A TBO (hrs.): 2000 Propeller: Hartzell 3-blade composite Wingspan (ft.): 43 Length (ft.): 28.9 Height (ft.): 11.3 Standard equipped weight (lbs): 3050 Standard useful load (lbs.): 1308 Max fuel capacity (gals) 120 PERFORMANCE Max cruise speed (KTAS): 213 Max takeoff weight (MTO, more »
September 8, 2015

ARROW III
Taking the Cherokee across the Pacific is more than enough time to appreciate its performance

It’s more than coincidence that several manufacturers seem to hit upon the same good idea at the same time.
August 24, 2015

An Updated Kit Craft
The Rans S-7LS takes aim at the LSA market

Perhaps the founder, president and designer-in-residence at Rans, Inc., was simply proud of what he had achieved with the updated Courier, and was accepting the exigencies that come with making airplanes for the certified world.

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