The old saying is; flying is expensive. And it’s only meant for the high earners. Sure! some part of that is true, but I can think of a few other things that can dip a hole in your pocket much quicker than flying or owning a personal airplane would. That said, airplane ownership in America is a great luxury, and in some ways a great tool if you use the aircraft for business purposes. Why get stuck in road traffic when you can fly of it and travel hundreds of miles faster?
Now when it comes to airplane ownership, there are several factors to consider. The first two is typically; what’s my mission? and what’s my budget? Answer those two questions well, and you’ve already completed 70% of the aircraft pre-buy process. Some people have up to $1 million to spend and others have only $30,000 to spend. Today though we are looking at some of the most expensive certified single engine aircraft in the market.
These are not your typical low entry airplanes. We’ve already discuss in the past why some airplanes can be costly to buy or own. Particularly certified airplanes. But today we are looking at the top dogs in the single engine aircraft category. These are all high performance airplanes and they all can travel at speeds north of 200 miles per hour. You buy these not just for performance though, but also for range and comfort. The Cirrus brand for example is know for it’s premium lush cabin, and you can fly it up over a thousand miles depending on your load. Anyway, if you’ve got a million dollars budget to buy a nice piston engine aircraft, you may want to take a look at these:
Maule M-7
In case you’re confounded by the numerous models of the Maule airplane, you’re not the only one, but rather recall that the sheer assortment is an indication that Maule is focused on fulfilling its clients desires. One of the most noteworthy factor in purchasing this aircraft is the resale value. Maules are esteemed by proprietors for their capacity to take care of business. The lightweight, rough, tube-and-cloth configuration has a tremendous side entryway for stacking freight. The M7-235B slows down at 40 knots, travels at 138 bunches, moves at 1500 foot per minute and has a healthy heap to carry almost 900 pounds. Maules can be put on floats, and with their awesome power to-weight proportion and high-lift wing, they perform commendably on the water, in the shrub with enormous tires and on skis. Maules are the irregularity in having just steam-measure flight instrumentation accessible from the industrial facility, however you can get a complete IFR-outfitted plane with autopilots and Garmin panel on board.
USEFUL LOAD: 900 pounds
RANGE: Up to 995 Miles
SPEED: Up to 150 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $170,200
Diamond DA20
Here goes one of the rarest airplanes you’ll see around. I’ve personally only seen this aircraft once in California at a flight school. Diamondstars are a popular choice in training environment and the DA20 is a great little airplane to train and build some time. But also capable of doing cross country flights. The DA20 was a progressive plane, all-composite with a gigantic glass shelter and the considerable flying conduct you get from a high-viewpoint proportion wing. Keep in mind, this was the point at which the Cessna 152, Piper Tomahawk and Beech Skipper were full scale of creation. In any case, the world would soon move to all the more intense four-seaters for essential direction, and the DA20 never turned into a gigantic star, only the unfaltering entertainer despite every great features it has . The present model, the DA20-C1, fitted witg the traditional Continental IO-240 125 hp engine. For preparing activities that need to run with a two-seater, the DA20 remains the go-to aircraft. It’s a simple flying machine, easy landings, a dependable and safe airplane that profits flight schools that utilizes it.
USEFUL LOAD: 584 pounds
RANGE: Up to 626 Miles
SPEED: Up to 150 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $234,800
Aviat Husky
The Husky with either the 180 hp Lycoming O-360 or 200 hp Lycoming fuel-infused IO-360. The more effective motor gives extra speed, yet the Husky is astoundingly quick for a tube-and-texture bush plane. Fitted with standard tires you can see speeds at 75% power at 122 knots, which is speedier than some its close competitors. The pair seating plane needs no runway to take off or arrive. Truth be told, it needs no runway by any stretch of the imagination. With tundra tires, any comfortable field or sand bar will do. However, the Husky is likewise an advanced plane. You are in a plane that may require 200 feet of ground to land when you’re feeling a little rusty behind the wheels.
USEFUL LOAD: 975 pounds
RANGE: Up to 800 Miles
SPEED: Up to 145 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $279,000
Mooney Acclaim Ultra
Here is the most recent production from Mooney. It’s truly a way for the company to get modernized and manufacture lighter airplanes with more composite material. The Acclaim ultra comes with Mooney’s long history of reliability and high performance (for a single engine). But what you also get is a newly redesigned interior space. With nice leather seats, soft touches and a sweet set of glass avionics. A brand new model will cost you $769,000 and up.
USEFUL LOAD: 1000 pounds
RANGE: Up to 1265 Miles
SPEED: Up to 278 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $769,000
Cessna TTX
The Cessna TTX is Cessna’s remake of the Lancair Columbia aircraft. This airplane model was originally owned and built by Lancair, called the Columbia 300/350/400. But in 2007 Lancair had filed for bankruptcy and Cessna swooped in to buy off the Columbia assets. Since then, Cessna has renamed the model airplane to the TTX. Know for it’s speed and performance, the TTX is one of the fastest fixed landing gear piston engine aircraft out today, with speeds up to 250 miles per hour.
USEFUL LOAD: 1070 pounds
RANGE: Up to 1274 Miles
SPEED: Up to 270 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $810,000
Cirrus SR22T
Image source: www.flyer.co.uk
Cirrus is considered the BMW and Mercedes Benz of the skies. Know for luxury and comfort but also high performance. The Sr22T is the turbo charged version of the Cirrus SR22. Although the actual change in performance is not scene on normal cruise or in low altitudes. It’s when you get to higher altitudes that the turbo charged engines starts to stake it’s claim and you’d have more power.
USEFUL LOAD: 1242 pounds
RANGE: 1207 Miles
SPEED: 245 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $863,000
Beechcraft Bonanza G36
Another stapled name in American aviation. The G36 is one of the earliest general aviation aircraft manufactured in the US. It seats six comfortably and like the Mooney, it also uses a continental IO-550 engine. Cruise speed is around 175 knots, roughly 200 miles per hour. A great airplane but premium price. A new G36 model cost between $900,000 and $920,000
USEFUL LOAD: 1063 pounds
RANGE: Up to 1058 Miles
SPEED: Up to 202 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $920,000
Piper Matrix
Here is one of the most expensive single engine airplane in all of general aviation. A brand new Matrix cost $940,000. This airplane although is superb in almost all categories. You get more payload, 6 seats and still travel north of 1000 miles.
USEFUL LOAD: 1355 pounds
RANGE: Up to 1545 Miles
SPEED: Up to 245 Miles Per Hour
PRICE: $940,000
