Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Mooney M20J 201.

A good cross-country airplane is in the eye of the owner-operator. Different pilots prioritize a diversity of traits when shopping for the aircraft that suits their mission best.

While many GA travelers look for models with large, comfortable cabins, others are interested primarily in speed, with other qualities taking a back seat. A subset of these speed aficionados is also having a fondness for efficiency, and for them, there are few options better than a Mooney M20J.

From their introduction in the mid 1950s, the Mooney M20s have reliably done more with less, typically outrunning other four-place aircraft with much more horsepower. Early M20s came with the 150 hp Lycoming O-320, essentially the same powerplant found in Cessna 172s. The Mooney, however, became renowned for nearly reaching 150 ktas with the engine.

The M20 series really came into its own when matched with the 180 hp Lycoming O-360 and later the 200 hp IO-360, like the one in this 1981 M20J 201. The “201” is part of a Mooney naming convention indicating the airplane’s top speed in miles per hour, burning relatively little fuel while generating impressive speeds. Later turbocharged models took advantage of higher altitudes in gaining even more speed and becoming favorites among serious cross-country pilots.

This 1981 Mooney M20J 201 has 4,103 hours on the airframe and 301 hours on its Lycoming IO-360 engine and propeller since overhaul. The aircraft has a useful load of 914 pounds and carries 64 gallons of usable fuel.

The IFR panel includes a King KMA 24 audio panel, King KY 197 comm radio, KNS 80 nav with localizer and glideslope, KX 165 nav/comm with localizer and glideslope, KR 87 ADF, KLN 89B GPS, Garmin GTX 335 transponder with ADS-B Out, King KFC 200 autopilot with flight director and Stormscope.

Pilots who want to travel at a quick pace without burning 15 to 20 gallons of fuel per hour should consider this 1981 Mooney M20J 201, which is available for $124,900 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Grumman AA-5 vs. Mooney M20 Series
• FLYING Magazine: Life Lessons of an Iced-Up Mooney
• FLYING Magazine: Inside Manny the Mooney’s Much-Needed Paint Job
• FLYING Magazine: Mooney Expands Customer Service Offerings
• Plane & Pilot: This Incredible Plane: Mooney Porsche M20L PFM
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Mooney 201/M20J
• AVweb: Mooney Under New Management

The post This 1981 Mooney M20J Is a Model of Efficiency and an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1946 ERCO 415-C Ercoupe.

Lately we have read about the growing use of simplified flight controls in aviation from the developing eVTOL category to personal aircraft that increasingly assist pilots in efficiently maintaining control. The ERCO Ercoupe is an ancestor of these modern systems, having pioneered the easy-to-fly-aircraft concept as early as the 1930s.

The Ercoupe is well-known among pilots as the airplane without rudder pedals. For coordinated turns, it uses coupled rudders and ailerons through a traditional control wheel. Limited control surface movements and the Ercoupe’s overall design were intended to make it a safe, stall-proof aircraft. Many of its fans say it performs as advertised and is lots of fun to fly.

The airplane’s generous wing, twin vertical fins, and tricycle landing gear (that stood out in an era of taildraggers) all seem to point to stability and ease of use. Other features, including a low wing and large bubble-style canopy, give the pilot and passenger better-than-average visibility.

This 1946 Ercoupe has 1,784 hours on the airframe, 267 hours on its 90 hp Continental C90-12F engine since overhaul, and 245 hours on its McCauley two-blade propeller since new.

The panel includes a Flightline FL-760 Comm radio, Narco glideslope Garmin GPS 396, GTX 320A transponder, Sigtronics Sport 200 panel mount two-place intercom, airspeed and vertical speed indicators, turn coordinator, directional indicator, altimeter, RPM, Oil pressure, EGT, air temperature, carburetor temperature, amp and voltage gauges.

Additional equipment includes a uAvionics TailBeacon ADS-B Out unit, 12-volt auxiliary adapter, landing and taxi lights, and bubble-style windshield.

Pilots looking for an easy-to-fly piece of aviation history that is economical, has timeless charm, and will be welcome at any vintage fly-in, should consider this 1946 ERCO Ercoupe, which is available for $31,500 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Approachable Aircraft: Ercoupe
• FLYING Magazine: Hawaii Lessons in an Ercoupe
• FLYING Magazine: The Process of Obtaining a Medical Certificate
• Plane & Pilot: ERCO Ercoupe, 1937
• Plane & Pilot: Ercoupe
• Plane & Pilot: The Ugliest Light Planes (That Only Their Owners Find Beautiful)
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Ercoupe and Cadet

The post This 1946 ERCO Ercoupe Is an Especially Easy-to-Fly ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1941 Boeing​/​Stearman A75N1.

When people think of biplanes, World War I fighters and other small, fragile, lightweight, and underpowered machines often come to mind. The Boeing Stearman, however, is in a different category.

It is rugged, surprisingly large and has enough power to make flying an adventure and a joy. There is nothing quite like flying a Stearman low over a Northeastern forest during autumn, when the changing foliage is at its best, or touching down gracefully on a grass strip after a day of visiting distant airports.

While the Stearman is a charismatic antique that commands attention at just about any airport, it is not especially rare, so there are many opportunities to own one in today’s market. And while few airplanes are truly inexpensive, the Stearman is among the more affordable flying collectibles.

They still serve as great trainers as well, especially for those aspiring to fly high-performance warbirds. Just like the Army Air Corps trainees of the 1940s, civilian pilots who master a Stearman today can be ready to take the next training step toward fast piston fighters like the P-51 Mustang.  

This 1941 Stearman has 5,816 hours on the airframe and 629 on its Continental W670 radial engine since overhaul. The aircraft is covered with Ceconite and was last painted in 1987. The VFR panel includes a 720-channel comm radio, Isocom intercom and traditional analog instruments.

Pilots who wish to sample what military flight cadets experienced during World War II, or simply seek the pleasure of flying a handsome vintage biplane, should consider this 1941 Boeing/Stearman, which is available for $71,500 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Restoration Nation: The Stearman Next Door
• FLYING Magazine: Taking Wing: Stearman Patrol
• FLYING Magazine: Stearman Takes Chicago-Area Vets on a Nostalgic Flight
• The Aviation Consumer: Buying the Old Ones: Homework Mandatory
• The Aviation Consumer: Antiques and Classics: Owning and Operating
• AVweb: Pilot Completes U.K.-Australia Stearman Flight

The post This 1941 Boeing/Stearman A75N1 Is an ‘AircraftForSale’ With Military History appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1941 Aeronca 65CA Super Chief.

The Aeronca Chief reached the market just prior to the United States’ entry into World War II and was meant to offer buyers more comfort than the typical bare-bones light aircraft that proliferated at the time. While aircraft like its cousin, the Aeronca Champ, and rival, the Piper J-3 Cub, were aimed primarily at the trainer market, the Super Chief was meant more as a personal aircraft with added details like interior upgrades and toe brakes when many light airplanes had heel brakes.

This 1941 Aeronca has 2,298 hours on the airframe and 235 hours on the engine. The panel includes the basic VFR instruments that a pilot in 1941 would expect, such as an altimeter, tachometer, turn and slip indicator, and airspeed indicator. This aircraft is covered in Ceconite fabric from 1980 and has always been hangared. It has a 17-gallon fuel tank and the useful load is 463 pounds.

Pilots looking for a back-to-basics vintage tailwheel aircraft that can carry two people back in time to an era before airways and ADS-B should consider this Aeronca Super Chief, which is available for $31,900 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Two Antique Men and One Antique Plane
• FLYING Magazine: Jumpseat: A Tale of Flying Legacies, Part 2
• Plane & Pilot: Taking Off In An Old Aeronca Chief On A Short Grass Strip With Tall Trees All Around
• Plane & Pilot: Aeronca 15AC Sedan
• AVweb: Tailwheels: Checkout And Owning

The post This 1941 Aeronca Super Chief Is a Time-Traveling ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Piper PA-28-236 Dakota.

Piper rolled out the original PA-28s in part as a response to Cessna’s popular 172. Over the decades, a series of stretches, reshapings, and engine changes transformed that basic airframe into a fleet, including four-place and six-place singles and twins often designed to compete with specific rivals in the GA market. This PA-28-236 is one such example, having arisen from a need to compete with Cessna’s no-nonsense, heavy-lifting 182 Skylane. For pilots who trained in PA-28s or simply prefer low-wing aircraft, this big-engine version of the PA-28 could be an ideal vehicle. For those wondering, the Dakota is the follow-on to the Cherokee 235 Pathfinder, with the addition of the tapered wing.

I recall seeing a photograph of a pilot standing next to a PA-28-236 with a huge pile of luggage, apparently representing the aircraft’s cargo capacity. Indeed, the collection of stuff looked like the typical load for a student heading off to college. I am sorry that I do not recall whether the photo was part of a promotion or flight review article, but either way, the message was clear. This was one of those airplanes that supposedly could lift whatever you could fit through the door. That might be an exaggeration, but these Pipers are good haulers.

This Dakota has 2,860 hours on the airframe, 850 hours on its Lycoming O-540-J3A5D engine and 1,360 hours on its Hartzell propeller. The panel includes a Garmin GTN 650 GPS nav/com, GTX 345 transponder, King KMA 24 audio panel, KX 170B VHS nav/com, FR 86 ADF, KN 62A TSO DME, Century 21 autopilot, ACK 406 ELT with GPS interconnect, Sigtronics SPA-400 4-place TSO intercom, and Davtron M877 digital clock.

Pilots who need a flying utility vehicle to complete their typical mission should consider this brawny 1981 Piper PA-28-236 Dakota, which is available for $219,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: AeroGuard to Acquire 90 Archers from Piper Aircraft
• FLYING Magazine: EarthX Obtains STC for 12-Volt Lithium Battery Install
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee 235 Pathfinder/Dakota
• Plane & Pilot: Garmin Gets Green Light For Piper Autopilot STCs
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee 180 Archer
• Plane & Pilot: Plane Facts: Piper PA-28s

The post This 1981 Piper PA-28-236 Is a Strong-Shouldered ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1947 Republic RC-3 Seabee.

Republic’s Seabee developed from a design by Percival Hopkins Spencer called the Spencer Air Car. Spencer had pitched the aircraft to Republic, which was looking for a way to take advantage of a boom in general aviation that was expected to develop as military pilots returned home after World War II. During the war, military branches also found the Seabee concept attractive for its potential as a search and rescue platform. Military orders rolled in but were canceled when the war ended. The Seabee arrived on the market in late 1945.

The postwar boom fell short as well, resulting in a brief production run for the Seabee. Still, more than 1,000 rolled off the assembly line before it shut down in 1947, and the aircraft still turn up at airports. I spotted one last summer at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (KBHB) in Maine. I imagine today’s owners use the rugged amphibians as Republic intended—as family airplanes that can go nearly anywhere. Several newer amphibian aircraft, both certified and experimental, have clearly taken cues from the Seabee.

This 1947 RC-3 Seabee has 1,470 hours on the airframe, 160 hours on its Lycoming IO-540 engine , and 160 hours on the propeller since overhaul. The panel includes a Garmin 530W GPS/Com, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B, and Garmin audio panel. The aircraft recently underwent a restoration that included new paint and interior.

Pilots whose destinations are suited for water access, and those who simply want to fly a novel vintage design, should consider this 1947 Republic RC-3 Seabee, which is available for $224,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: This 2006 Seawind 3000 Is a Unique, Kit-Built ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick
• Plane & Pilot: Spencer Air Car
• Plane & Pilot: Frolicking In A Lake
• Plane & Pilot: Trident 320 Trigull
• AVweb: Icon A5 Amphibian Notches FAA Primary Category Type Certification
• The Aviation Consumer: Seaplane Transitions: ‘Tis the Season

The post This 1947 Republic RC-3 Seabee Is an Adventure-Seeking ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1982 Beechcraft B36TC Bonanza.

Beechcraft’s Bonanza has occupied the top of the piston single market in terms of performance and desirability ever since its introduction more than 70 years ago. Even today, with technologically advanced newer models available, many pilots will settle for nothing less than a Bonanza. And among the range of Bonanzas, from early V-tails to the latest G36, some experts say, the B36TC is the best.

Which aircraft is “best” depends on your mission. The B36TC has a turbocharged engine and a wing that is about 4 feet longer than the standard Bonanza. These features reflect the nature of this aircraft’s performance. It is meant to operate at high altitude and high speeds. For pilots looking for a high performance single with more muscle than most and can trim valuable time from long-distance trips, this B36TC could be an ideal entry into the turbocharged ranks.

This B36TC has 3,397 hours on the airframe, 169 hours on its Continental TSIO-520-UB engine since an overhaul by Western Skyways in 2017, and 930 hours on its McCauley propeller since overhaul. The turbocharged engine is equipped with a Merlyn intercooler and GAMI fuel injectors. The airframe includes the Aero Engineering upper rudder hinge bracket STC.

The panel includes a Garmin GTN 750, King KX 165 nav/com, GTX 345 transponder, WX-10 Stormscope, KFC 200 autopilot, Insight engine monitor, Shadin fuel flow monitor, GMA 340 six-place intercom, and Artex ELT. Paint and interior were redone in 2010. Other equipment includes a propeller de-icing system and built-in oxygen system.

Pilots interested in boosting the speed and altitude of their family trips while enjoying a roomier cabin and flexible six-place seating should consider this 1982 Beechcraft B36TC Bonanza, which is available for $349,900 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Beechcraft A36 Bonanza vs. Bonanza V-tails
• FLYING Magazine: Finding Your Ideal Aircraft: Focus On the Mission, Especially When it Changes
• Plane & Pilot: Beechcraft A36/A36TC/B36TC Bonanza
• Plane & Pilot: There’s Something About A Bonanza
• The Aviation Consumer: Beechcraft Bonanza 36

The post This 1982 Beechcraft B36TC Bonanza Is a High-Flying, Turbocharged ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1995 Piper PA-34-220T Seneca IV.

Piper is famous for developing a varied line of aircraft from a single airframe. Other airplane makers have made similar moves, such as Beechcraft developing the Baron twin from the Bonanza single. Piper did this a lot, though, and did it well. The company stretched its PA-28 Cherokee to make the PA-32 Cherokee Six then added a second engine to create the PA-34 Seneca. The new light twin came to market in the early 1970s, just as the company’s PA-30 Twin Comanche and PA-23 Aztec were beginning to feel dated.

The Seneca proved popular among light twins in part because it developed over decades to fulfill a range of roles, from a multiengine trainer and time-builder to a luxurious vehicle for family travel. By the time the aircraft for sale here was built the design had evolved with improvements in power, avionics and aerodynamics. For many pilots, the Seneca IV offers an ideal combination of comfort, load-carrying capacity, speed, and economy.

This 1995 Seneca IV has 6,020 hours on the airframe, 45 hours on each of its Continental TSIO-360 engines, and 45 hours on its three-blade, counter-rotating propellers. The panel includes a King KMA 24 audio panel, dual KX 155 digital nav/coms, KLN 90B GPS, KN 82A ADF, Appareo Stratus transponder, PS Engineering intercom, Strike Finder SF2000, KFC 150 autopilot, and dual glide slope indicators. The aircraft is also factory-equipped with de-ice boots and hot props, copilot instruments, digital fuel flow, and electric trim.

Pilots looking for a stable, comfortable, six-place transport for business travel and family excursions, with the added redundancy of two engines and safety of counter-rotating props should consider this 1995 Piper PA-34-220T Seneca IV, which is available for $329,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Piper Seneca V
• FLYING Magazine: Garmin Autopilot Certified for Piper Seneca V
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• FLYING Magazine: The Search for Multiengine Time
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Seneca I/II/III/IV/V
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Seneca

The post This 1995 Piper PA-34-220T Seneca IV Is a Comfortable, Well-Equipped ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1962 Cessna 175C Skylark.

Over the years I have seen quite a few Cessna 175 Skylarks, typically frequenting the small airports of rural New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. I spent a long time mistaking them for 172s and failing to appreciate their stronger performance and interesting powertrain. The 175 used a geared version of the Continental O-300 6-cylinder engine found in early 172s.

The gearbox reduces the propeller’s speed relative to engine, which helped to give the 175 a boost in performance compared with a 172. Cessna slotted the 175 between the 172 and the larger, faster, and more expensive 182 Skylane. While the 175’s engine was the same size as the 172’s, it put out more power, giving the 175 a noticeable increase in muscle. The 172 outlasted the 175, but the latter has a following, and there are many people who still consider it a superior aircraft.

This 1962 Cessna 175C Skylark has 2,090 hours on the airframe and 105 hours since overhaul on its 175 hp Continental GO-300E geared engine, which has a 1,500-hour TBO. The panel includes an Apollo SL30 digital nav/com, Terra TMA230 audio panel, TXN920 com, dual Terra Tri-navs, and Tactair T101 autopilot.

Pilots looking for an economical four-place single, and those who always wished the 172 was faster, should consider this 1962 Cessna 175C, which is available for $79,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine:The Advantages of Shopping for Unusual Aircraft
• Plane & Pilot: World’s Coolest Cessna 175 Skylark. It Has Slats!
• Plane & Pilot: 1960 Cessna 175A Skylark N6830E

The post This 1962 Cessna 175 Skylark Is a Deceptively Fast ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1960 Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer.

A few years ago, I was on the ramp at Sussex, New Jersey (KFWN), filling the tanks of the club’s Cessna 172 when a Piper Tri-Pacer appeared from behind the hills that blocked a pilot’s view of Runway 21 during the base leg. Painted a creamy white hue with red trim, it stood out against the clear blue sky of a mid-March morning. The air was crisp, and while spring was still a week or so away officially, it was knocking on the door.

The airplane parked and four young people got out (young by my standards), greeted me with a wave, and headed to the diner by the airport entrance. Clearly, they were enjoying an ideal GA experience. What really struck me was how gorgeous their airplane was. I had seen plenty of Tri-Pacers, but they often looked well-worn and even unloved. A rag-and-tube airplane with tricycle landing gear seemed like an unpopular combination, and old-timers at the airport rarely said anything nice about them. Some critics said the gear made it look like a milking stool. The four travelers at Sussex, however, appeared to be delighted with their nicely restored flying machine.

Since then it has become clearer that Tri-Pacers are enjoying a sort of renaissance, especially among younger pilots who like their postwar styling and view the tricycle gear as an advantage. Lately I have seen more restored examples like the airplane for sale here.   

This 1960 Tri-Pacer has 2,500 hours on the airframe and 350 hours on its 150 hp Lycoming O-320 engine since overhaul. The panel includes dual uAvionix AV30 flight instruments, Garmin 496 with panel dock, Garmin 327 GPS, headset jacks at all four seats, and two USB-C ports.

The aircraft underwent a restoration in 2006 that included new paint and interior, and mechanical upgrades, such as a Plane Power alternator, internal and external LED lighting, and STC’d modifications to its oil cooler and fuel system.

Pilots looking for a vintage four-place single that combines the looks of a Piper Cub with the more forgiving tricycle-gear ground handling of a Cessna 172 should consider this Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer, which is available for $80,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: The Piper Colt: A Real Contender
• FLYING Magazine: Used Aircraft and the Art of Refurbishing: Part II
• Plane & Pilot: Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer
• Plane & Pilot: Piper PA-20 Pacer

The post This 1960 Piper PA-22-150 Tri-Pacer Is a Restored Rag-and-Tube ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.