December 2, 2014
Finding The Perfect Turbine
Your magic carpet awaits
With an improving economy and fuel prices headed down, the turbine market is heating up.
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.
December 2, 2014
Light Sport For 2015
Our report on the best of the light-sport world for the coming year
Nobody would argue that the introduction of light-sport aircraft (LSA) changed general aviation in ways unseen since the golden era of Cubs and Luscombes.
December 2, 2014
Seven Twins For The New Year
This category added one model to the list
Piston twins have gradually dwindled down to a precious few.
November 4, 2014
Premier Edition 172
Premier 172 SPECIFICATIONS Engine: Continental CD-135 turbodiesel Horsepower: 135 Propeller: MT composite, three blade, constant speed Cruise Speed (kts.): 129 (10,000 feet) Takeoff Ground Roll (ft.): 869 Takeoff Over 50-Foot Obstacle (ft.): 1794 Rate Of Climb, Sea Level (fpm): 690 Fuel Burn (gph, 85% power): 6.2 Range (standard tanks): 44 gallons usable Jet A 55% more »
November 4, 2014
Every Revolution Needs A Leader
While it may seem like Déjà vu all over again, Premier’s “have it your way” approach to converting 172s to Jet A may finally get the shift to diesel power off the ground.
It’s not like there aren’t already options on the market for Cessna 172 owner/operators who want all the Skyhawk’s pilot-friendly familiarity with the added benefit of a fuel/money-saving diesel power plant.
October 21, 2014
Cessna TTx
Cessna TTx SPECIFICATIONS Engine: Continental TSIO-550C Horsepower: 310 TBO (hrs.): 2000 Fuel Type: 100LL Landing Gear Type: Tri/Fxd Max T/O Weight (lbs.): 3600 Max Zero Fuel Weight (lbs.): 3300 Max Landing Weight (lbs.): 3420 Empty Weight (lbs.): 2600 Useful Load—Std. (lbs.): 1000 Usable Fuel—Std. (gals./lbs.): 102/612 Payload—Full Std. Fuel (lbs.): 388 Overall Length: 25 ft. more »
October 21, 2014
Cessna’s Super Single
Cessna hopes the new TTx will make a reasonable transition airplane for pilots stepping up to the Mustang
Looking down from 25,000 feet, I can see the Channel Islands to the northwest and Mt. San Jacinto guarding Palm Springs to the east.
October 21, 2014
21st Century Propulsion
New engine technologies are here
From the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk to the dawn of the Jet Age, almost every airplane was powered by an internal combustion engine—most using gasoline.
October 7, 2014
From Avgas To Jet A
A new engine option powers Up the “Two Weeks To Taxi” program
How many prospective aircraft owners would opt for the performance of an experimental homebuilt aircraft if it didn’t involve flying an airplane they had to build themselves?
October 7, 2014
Diesel Sportsman
Diesel Glasair Sportsman 2+2 SPECIFICATIONS & PERFORMANCE Price (Basic Two Weeks To Taxi Sportsman, 2017): $199,250 CD-155 Diesel-Engine Option: $89,000 Powerplant: 155 hp CD-155 Max Takeoff Weight (lbs.): 2500 Empty Weight (lbs.): 1550 Useful Load (lbs.): 950 Usable Fuel (gals.): 50 Fuel Burn: 5.2 @65%, 6.4 @75%, 7.3 @85% Wing Loading (lbs./ft. at gross): 17.9 more »
September 23, 2014
Increase Your Power
A roundup of modification and conversion options for your engine
There are many things in aviation that we’d all like more of: more runway in front of us, more altitude below us, more speed, more fuel in the tanks, more legroom for passengers, more useful load and more engine power all come to mind.
September 23, 2014
Coast To Coast In A Mooney
PART I: Expand your flying envelope with inspiration and tips from this Boston-based flatland pilot
Things aren’t looking good at 6 a.m. on Monday, the morning my wife Theresa and I have planned a 10 o’clock departure from Hanscom Field, our home base near Boston, on the first leg of the trip of a lifetime to California and back.
September 23, 2014
Dreams Do Come True
Eclipse has come a long way with its new 550 jet
There’s a new Eclipse jet in the sky, and it may just be the one everyone wanted in the first place.
September 23, 2014
Eclipse 550
Eclipse 550 Engine Make/Model: Pratt & Whitney PW610F Thrust (lbf): 900 Fuel Type: Jet-A TBO—Hours: 3500 Standard Empty Weight: 3700 Max Ramp Weight (lbs.): 6034 Max T/O Weight (lbs.): 6000 Max Landing Weight (lbs.): 5600 Useable Fuel (lbs./gal.): 1698/252 Full Fuel Payload (lbs.): 636 DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES Wingspan (ft.): 37.9 Overall Length (ft.): 33.5 Height more »
September 9, 2014
Engine Break-In: It’s Easier Than You Think
A proper engine break-in can go far in encouraging long engine life, low oil burn and reliable service
Perhaps more than some aviators, I’m often reminded how essential good mechanical work is on an airplane.
September 9, 2014
Stemme S10-VT
Stemme S10-VT Base Price: approx. $400,000 As Typically Equipped: $446,000 Engine: 115 hp Rotax 914F Turbo Max Range: 928.7 nm MTOW (lbs.): 1,874 Empty Weight (lbs.): 1,423 Max Payload (lbs.): approx. 451 Wingspan (ft.): 75.46 Wingspan, folded (ft.): 37.4 Wing Area (sq. ft.): 201.3 Height (ft.): 5.91 Length (ft.): 27.62 PERFORMANCE Cruise Speed At 10,000 more »
September 9, 2014
Searching For New Lift In The U.S.
An uncompromising motorglider is set to soar
If you’ve ever fooled around with a gravity knife, you can imagine the eureka moment Dr. Reiner Stemme likely experienced while trying to develop a motorglider providing both uncompromising soaring and outstanding powered performance.
September 1, 2014
The Raven Takes Wing
A homebuilt bush plane tries landing on LSA turf
The kit-built Raven light-sport bush plane was intended to become RANS’ flagship crossover into the LSA world.