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.
So, what do you do if you’re a national aerobatic champion, and you want to get to the next level? If you’re Walter Extra, you design a new airplane—and 30 years ago, that’s just what he did.
SAM LSA SPECIFICATIONS & PERFORMANCE Gross Weight (lbs.): 1,320 Empty Weight (lbs.): 829 Useful Load (lbs.): 490 Power (hp): 100 Rotax 912ULS Climb Rate (fpm): 800 Cruise speed (kts. @7,500 ft.): 108 Stall speed (kts.): 36 Service Ceiling (ft.): 14,500 Fuel Capacity (gals.): 22 Burn rate–75% (gph): 4.5
It’s the first day of the AOPA Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, and I’m sitting in a diminutive S-LSA known as the SAM.
Aviat CNG Husky Engine: 200 HP Lycoming IO-360-A1D6, 100LL/CNG Propeller: Hartzell 80-inch Constant Speed Wingspan: 35 ft. 6 in. Length: 22 ft. 7 in. Wing Area (sq.ft.): 183 Gross Weight (lbs.): 2250 Empty Weight (lbs.): 1320 Useful Load (lbs.): 930 Cargo Capacity (cu.ft./lbs.): 10/50 Aft Stowage (cu.ft./lbs.): 9.3/30 Wing Loading(lbs./sq.ft.): 12.3 Fuel Capacity 100LL (gals.): more »
Though not from any official poll or study, the desire to learn to fly is one of the most often unrealized dreams in our society.
The patchwork of farms and wetlands disappearing in all directions below made it hard to believe the world’s largest gathering of airplanes was being celebrated just a few miles away.
Since our last buyer’s guide, we’ve weathered a government shutdown and an LSA market still coping with a modestly recovering economy.
There are a few new models such as the Cessna M2, the Eclipse 550, and the HondaJet coming on line this year and a lot of incremental improvements being introduced.
Many adventure aircraft are among the most docile machines in the sky.
What does one wear to fulfill a dream?
Grumman G-111 Albatross Year: 1954 Engine Make/Model: Curtis-Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9HE 9-Cylinder Radial Power (hp): 1475 each Propeller: Hamilton Standard 43D51 3 blade-reversible, feathering Max Takeoff Weight (lbs.): 30,605 on land; 31,365 on water Empty Weight (lbs.): 23,500 Useful Load, std. (lbs.): 6,900 (varies by model/equipment) Fuel Capacity, std. (gals.): 625 in wing tanks, 400 more »
The prognosis for single-engine sales in 2014 remains mixed, but there are signs of improving times.
It’s a sidewalk-egg-frying, breath-gasping hot Southeastern U.S.
Techam Echo Light Price As Flown (S-LSA): $84,900 Engine: Rotax 912UL (80 hp) Propeller: Two-blade Tonini GT fixed-pitch Empty Weight (lbs.): 606 Useful Load (lbs.): 496 Payload (full fuel, lbs.): 425 Wing Span (ft.): 28.5 Baggage (lbs.): 44 Fuel Capacity (gals.): 11.9 (right wing tank) Max Take-Off Weight (lbs.): 1102 Ultimate Load (G factor): +6 more »
Diamond DA42-VI Engine(s)- Make/Model: (2) Austro, (2) Lycoming, AE-300 Diesels Horsepower: 168 Fuel Type: Jet A Landing Gear Type: Tri/Retr Max Takeoff Weight (lbs.): 4189 Empty Weight (lbs.): 3109 Useful Load–std. (lbs.): 1080 Usable Fuel–std. (gals.): 50 opt (gals.): 76 Payload–Opt Fuel (lbs.): 571 Wingspan: 44 ft. 4 in. Overall Length: 28 ft. 1 in. more »
Most people who buy twin-engine airplanes do so for one of three reasons.
My bird of silent wing is the new, long-anticipated GreenWing eSpyder LS280.
sSpyder LSA Price as flown: $39,900 (U.S. Experimental Amateur- Built Kit. Complete with motor, prop, charging unit, flight instruments and airframe parachute.) Motor: Yuneec Power Drive 24 brushless Motor Size (in., lbs.): 7.9 in diameter, 27.5 Battery: Yuneec OEM, Lithium, 13 kWh Charger: Yuneec E-Charger, cell-balancing, 110/240 V Charge Time (hrs.): 2-3 Power Controller (2 more »