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.

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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 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow.

Piper’s range of fixed-gear PA-28s, from the Cherokee 140 to the 235 hp Dakota, can handle many missions including training, personal travel, and cargo hauling. But for pilots in search of a personal aircraft with a bit more speed and efficiency than the similar looking fixed-gear models, the Arrow presents an appealing combination of speed, good looks, and economy.

For pilots who trained for their private certificates in Pipers, the Arrow is a natural step up that is less likely to break your budget than larger, more powerful models that have more complex systems and burn a lot more fuel. The Arrow for sale here is also a well-equipped training platform for pilots seeking commercial, instrument, and other advanced ratings.

This 1974 Arrow has 6,731 hours on the airframe, 849 hours since overhaul on its 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine, and 177 hours since overhaul on the propeller. The engine is equipped with GAMI injectors.

The panel features a Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, Garmin GNS 430 WAAS GPS/nav/comm with localizer and glideslope, MAC 1700 nav/comm, Garmin GTX 345 transponder, Century II autopilot, and JPI EDM 800 engine monitor.

Pilots looking for a four-seat retractable that is suitable for long cross-country trips but easy to handle and familiar to those who trained in Piper PA-28s should consider this 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, which is available for $84,900 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: Giving Your Airplane a Face-Lift and Tummy Tuck
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• AVweb: Piper Arrow

The post This 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow Is a Cost-Conscious, Complex ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Cessna T210N Centurion.

After recently featuring the six-seat Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, we decided to follow with that airplane’s close rival from Cessna.

In head-to-head competition the two are very close, with the buyer’s decision often determined by small details, such as a preference for high-wing aircraft over low-wing models, or club seating instead of all seats facing forward. For many pilots, though, the Cessna 210, especially the turbocharged models, offer an attractive combination of cruising speed, load-lifting capability, and short-field performance.

The 210 is an especially pleasant airplane for long cross-country trips with family and friends because of its roomy cabin and smooth, stable flight characteristics. For pilots who trained in Cessna 172 or 152s, the larger 210 will feel familiar enough to make checkout flights less intimidating. The aircraft has a strong community of owners, clubs, and maintenance shops supporting it in addition to the factory, so finding parts and service to keep these impressive birds in the air is not difficult. 

This 1981 Cessna T210N has 5,386 hours on the airframe and 286 hours on its 310 hp Continental TSIO-520-R engine and McCauley C290D4-J/T2 propeller. The aircraft carries 90 gallons of usable fuel and has had the same owner since new.

The panel features dual King KY 196 radios, King KR 87 ADF, KT 76A transponder, KMA 28 audio panel, S-Tec 50 autopilot, King KNS 80 HSI, King DME, Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B, Sadin fuel flow monitor, and vertical card compass. 

Additional equipment includes a six-place intercom and oxygen system, strobes on the wing tips and tail, cabin courtesy lights, Rosen sun visors, auxiliary avionics cooling fan, CHT and EGT probes on all six cylinders, standby alternator and vacuum pump, and Cleveland wheels and brakes.

Travelers who have outgrown typical four-place retractables and truly can make use of another pair of seats should consider this 1981 Cessna T210N Centurion, which is available for $249,000 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: FLYING’s Air Compare: Cessna 206 vs. Cessna 210
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The post This 1981 T210N Centurion Is One Fast Cessna and an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1962 Beechcraft B33 Debonair.

When pilots begin shopping for their first aircraft, they typically look for something with more power, speed, and useful load than the airplanes they trained in or rented for years after receiving their private pilot certificate. Aircraft such as the Beechcraft Bonanza and Piper PA-24 Comanche often top the list of candidates for purchase, but shoppers should not forget about the Debonair, which really is just another “flavor” of Bonanza.

The Debonair, first produced in 1960, initially was a stripped-down version of the flagship V-tail Bonanza, except it was more modestly equipped and appointed, and had a conventional or straight tail. The lower price was meant to make the model more competitive with the popular Comanche. As years passed and more customers gravitated toward the elegant-looking Debonair, Beechcraft relented and began calling it a Bonanza. The last of this four-seat model, the F33A Bonanza, continued in production through the 1994 model year.

One of the main attractions for earlier models, such as the aircraft for sale here, is that their prices are still lower than for newer four-seat Bonanzas. Indeed, a Debonair such as this, with a Continental IO-470 engine, can offer classic Bonanza performance, including rapid climb and brisk cruising speeds to pilots with a range of budgets.

This 1962 Debonair has 5,545 hours on the airframe and 1,323 hours on its Continental IO-470N engine since new. The panel includes an Aspen MFD with synthetic vision, Garmin G5, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, GNS 430W GPS, King KX 155 Nav/Comm, GTX 327 transponder, GDL 88D ADS-B, and JPI EDM 930 engine monitor.

Pilots looking for an elegant midcentury aircraft design that is fast, stylish and ready for a new home should consider this 1962 Beechcraft B33 Debonair, which is available for $129,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Beech Bonanza and Debonair Approved for Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot
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The post This 1962 Beechcraft B33 Debonair Is an Updated Classic ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Cessna 172RG Cutlass.

When Cessna developed the retractable version of its venerable 172, its intent was to take a share of the market for entry-level complex airplanes, which previously had gone mostly to the Piper Arrow. The Arrow had been around since 1965, so it enjoyed a significant head start, but Cessna tailored the Cutlass specifically to help aspiring commercial pilots fulfill requirements for complex-aircraft time.

Today the Cutlass also offers private pilots a better-performing version of the 172 that generally maintains the forgiving flight characteristics and familiarity of the standard version. Many people who train in 172s grow fond of the type and wind up purchasing one. For those buyers who would benefit from a modest increase in power and cruising speed, the Cutlass can be an ideal fit.  

This 1981 Cessna 172RG has 9,201 hours on the airframe, 260 hours since overhaul on its 180 hp Lycoming O-360-F1A6 engine, and 1,154 hours on its McCauley two-blade propeller. The aircraft’s logbooks are complete, and its windshield recently was replaced. The Cessna’s useful load is 970 pounds. 

The panel features mostly Bendix-King avionics, including a KMA 26 audio panel, KLN 94 GPS, Dual KX 155A Nav/Coms, KT 760 transponder, 300 ADF, KT 760 Transponder, 300 ADF, ARC Navomatic 300A autopilot, and SkyBeacon with ADS-B Out.

Pilots looking for the well-known reliability and easy handling of a 172 with performance-enhancing features, such as a 180 hp engine, retractable gear, and constant-speed propeller, should take a close look at this 1981 Cessna 172RG, which is available for $119,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Cessna 172: Still Relevant Today?
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The post This 1981 Cessna 172RG Cutlass Is a Not-Too-Complex ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Cessna TR182 Skylane.

The Cessna 182 Skylane is a perennial favorite airplane for a wide range of missions including travel, cargo hauling, and short-field operations. The aircraft’s easy handling and forgiving flight characteristics make it an ideal high-performance, step-up model, especially for pilots who trained in Cessna 150s and 172s. Adding retractable landing gear to the Skylane results in a significant dose of something many pilots seek: extra speed.

When Cessna introduced the retractable 182 in 1978, the aircraft racked up favorable reviews and began to develop an enthusiastic following largely driven by the higher cruising speed that makes it a better traveling machine. Unfortunately the general aviation industry suffered during the economic downturn of the early 1980s, resulting in production cuts and eventually the end of the TR182. The rare machines remain particularly desirable on the used market. 

This 1979 Cessna TR182 has 2,190 hours on its airframe and Lycoming O-540-L3C5D engine. The panel includes Garmin GTN 650xi and Bendix/King nav/coms, dual Garmin 275s, GNS 500 autopilot, GTX 335 transponder, and JPI 830 engine monitor.

Pilots who like the standard 182’s all-around performance and reliability but seek the extra speed that comes with retractable gear should consider this 1979 Cessna TR182, which is available for $180,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Turbo Skylane Returns to Cessna’s Lineup
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The post This 1979 Cessna TR182 Skylane Is Surprisingly Fast ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1968 Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow.

I have long been a fan of the 180 hp version of Piper’s classic PA-28, which I find so much livelier than the same airframe with a 150 or 160 hp engine. Tucking the landing gear away makes the airplane ideal for pilots who want the added aerodynamic efficiency and sleek looks of a clean, retractable aircraft.

The PA-28R for sale here has paint and interior that look great—as if they emerged from a time capsule. It has a strong presence on the ramp and is a stable, easy-flying way to get around at a good pace. The Arrow is a great step-up airplane, particularly for anyone who trained in basic, lower-powered PA-28s.    

This 1968 Arrow has 3,976 hours on the airframe, 724 hours on its Lycoming IO-360 engine since overhaul, and 406 hours on its Hartzell propeller since new. The panel includes a Bendix/King KMA-24 audio panel with marker beacon, dual Bendix/King KX-165 nav/coms, KN-62A DME, KR-87 ADF, Century I autopilot, uAvionix ADS-B, Sigtronics 4-place intercom, and JPI 800 engine monitor.

Pilots looking for one of the most economical ways to step up to a retractable aircraft for travel, training, or time-building should consider this 1968 Piper PA-28-180 Arrow, which is available for $93,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

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The post This 1968 Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow Is a No-Nonsense, Retractable ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1985 SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad.

The TB family of general aviation aircraft from French manufacturer SOCATA is known for its wide, roomy cabins and styling that looks especially modern next to many legacy brands of GA aircraft even though  designed during the 1970s. The aircraft’s clean, angular shapes might remind some vintage sports car fans of trendsetting BMW, Lotus, and Maserati designs of Giorgetto Giugiaro and his Italdesign studio.

Speaking of cars, SOCATA was ahead of its time in designing aircraft interiors to incorporate many of the features people had become accustomed to in automobiles, like more intuitive controls and instrument arrangements and general ergonomics. This TB-20’s gull-wing doors foreshadowed a number of today’s GA designs. The aircraft is sure to turn heads on the ramp.

This 1985 SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad has 3,060 hours on the airframe, 324 hours on its Lycoming IO-540 engine since overhaul, and 182 hours on the Hartzell three-blade propeller. The panel includes dual Aspen displays for MFD and PFD, a Garmin GTN 650, Bendix/King KX 165, nav/com Bendix/King KMA 24 audio panel and KN 62A DME, Garmin GTX330 transponder, Stormscope, Bendix/King autopilot, and JPI EDM 730 engine monitor.

Pilots looking for a stylish, comfortable four-seat retractable that is off the beaten path because of its relative rarity in the U.S. should consider this 1985 SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad, which is available for $264,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Daher Opens New Paint Facility for Kodiaks in Idaho
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The post This 1985 SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad Is an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick with European Flair appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow.

Piper’s Arrow began in 1967 as a retractable version of the 180 hp fixed-gear PA-28. Tucking in the wheels gave the aircraft a noticeable bump in cruising speed and in popularity. Sales were brisk enough that after a couple of years Piper upgraded the engine to a 200 hp version of the four-cylinder Lycoming IO-360. Performance improved, making the Arrow more of a rival to the famously fast Mooney M20 series.

This Arrow has the sought-after 200 hp engine and would make a good traveling machine for families who want a reasonable combination of performance and economy. Arrows have long been go-to aircraft for flight schools, which use them to train pilots for complex endorsements. If you plan to buy one, you can easily get familiarization training to make sure it is the right airplane for you.

This 1974 Piper Arrow has 6,119 hours on the airframe, 1,465 hours on the engine since overhaul. Its panel features a Garmin GNS 430W, GMA 340, and Autocontrol III autopilot. The aircraft seats four and received a new interior and new paint in 2010.

Pilots looking for a gentle, forgiving four-seat family transporter that will feel especially familiar to those who trained in Piper PA-28s, should consider this 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, which is available for $99,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

• FLYING Magazine: A Wing and a Prayer for a Classic Piper Arrow
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• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Arrow

The post Today’s Top Aircraft For Sale Pick: 1974 Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Diamond plans to develop an electric, single-engine trainer.

DETAILS: FLYING’s Thom Patterson talks with Annemarie Mercedes Heinkenwälder about her company’s plans to develop an electric, single-engine trainer. She also discussed the timeline for the DA50RG, the first single-engine retractable in years.

SPEAKER: Heinkenwälder leads sales and marketing for Americas & Oceania at Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.

BIO: Heikenwälder started her career in aviation in the FBO business where she soon moved to charter sales and aircraft service management. She was recruited by a sales and business development start-up FBO in Saint Hubert, Quebec, shortly after graduating with her Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2013. With her assistance, in only one year, the FBO was nominated among the best FBOs in Canada in the Wings Magazine annual FBO survey. Annemarie was actively recruited by Diamond Aircraft in 2019.

KEY QUOTES FROM HEINKENWÄLDER:

“Diamond just recently announced the eDA40 … first real production da40 aircraft that will be fully electric powered. We expect that this aircraft will have a 90-minute flight time and about a 20-minute quick recharge.

“Our first prototype is currently being worked on. We expect our first flight to happen in the first quarter of next year and then we expect the platform to be certified by 2023.”

“The DA50RG was launched for the North American market at Oshkosh. It flew on its own power across the Atlantic which is a huge milestone for this aircraft. With the fact that it’s a retractable gear aircraft we see better efficiency. The useful load is actually quite high, between 1,100 and 1,200 pounds. … Our first deliveries are scheduled to coincide with the FAA validation, so that’ll be Q3 2022.”

“Diamond is really focused on jet fueled powered piston engines, our proprietary austral engine, to help with cost savings of the fuel and the availability of the fuel.”

The post Virtual Event: Diamond Moves to Electric Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.