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.
(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 »
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 »
Ten years ago, when the FAA authorized the new light-sport aircraft (LSA) class, it could hardly have imagined the extreme variety of aircraft designs that would emerge.
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.
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 »
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.
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 »
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 »
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 »
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.
It’s more than coincidence that several manufacturers seem to hit upon the same good idea at the same time.
Rans S-7LS Courier SPECIFICATIONS Crew: One Capacity: One passenger Length: 23 ft. 3 in. (7.09 m) Wingspan: 29 ft .3 in. (8.92 m) Height: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m) Wing Area: 147.1 sq. ft. (13.67 m2) Empty Weight (lbs.): 700 (318 kg) Gross Weight (lbs.): 1,232 (559 kg) Fuel Capacity: 18 US Gallons (68 more »
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.
The initial idea for this article was to pick the 10 best airplanes under $100,000, but the immediate response was, “You’re kidding, right?
As the old quip says, nothing succeeds like success.
ICON A5 SPECIFICATIONS Standard Base Price: $197,000 Price As Flown (ICON 100 Founders Edition): $247,000 Engine: Rotax 912 (100 hp) (optional 912 iS) Seats: 2 Gear: Retractable gear Gross Weight (lbs.): 1510 Useful Load (lbs.): 430-550 Fuel Capacity: 20 gal usable Fuel: 91 octane auto gas or 100LL PERFORMANCE Fuel Burn: 3.8 gph @ cruise more »
Vulcanair P68Vr SPECIFICATIONS Basic price: 869,000 2 Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (200 hp) Max Takeoff Weight (lbs.): 4548 Max Landing Weight (lbs.): 4321 Std. Empty Weight (std equipped with avg optionals , lbs.): 3198 Max Usable Fuel With Aux Tanks (gals.): 177 Number Of Seats: 6 Max Luggage Weight (lbs.): 400 Cruise Speed @75%, ISA, FL80 more »
Like a rock star of a certain age going back on the arena circuit, rumors of the return of the light twin formerly known as Partenavia—now the Vulcanair—have echoed around the domestic GA world for the better part of a decade.