Used Aircraft Guide Digest

Moving up out of a Baron or even a Bonanza, buyers might eyeball the Beech Duke. A step below the King Air, this good-looking pressurized piston twin impresses with its business airplane passenger cabin. Powered by Lycoming TIO-541 engines, a stock Duke isn’t a runway star, but it moves along once it’s flying. With major […]

There are reasons for high owner satisfaction among Grumman Tiger owners. A sliding canopy alone lends to decent ramp appeal, plus with snappy handling and 180 horsepower it easily runs with Piper Archers and Cessna Cardinals. With plenty of approved aftermarket retrofits for avionics and speed mods, reliable engines and enthusiastic owner groups to help […]

For those with the skill and budget, a Cessna 425 Conquest I may still be one of the least expensive ways to get into the world of turboprop twins. Its direct competitors might be the Piper Cheyenne I, a Beech King Air 90 and even some turboprop singles. And for those with a goal of eventually […]

It used to be that used Cessna 150s and 152s were budget buys, but like most piston singles in the current market, values for these durable two-placers—especially nicely upgraded models—have risen sharply. But once the big check has cleared, the right 150 or 152 shouldn’t break the operating budget thanks to its miserly fuel burn […]

When it comes to piston singles, it’s not often that the words classic and speedster are used in the same sentence, but it’s true of the Meyers 200 series. A design dating back to 1953, the Meyers won speed records as bragging rights. There are plenty of reasons why owners love their Meyers 200s—speed being […]

For some, Piper’s PA-46-series is the ultimate step-up piston single. It’s a serious IFR traveler, and the Malibu and Mirage can do 200 knots in pressurized comfort. With many to choose from at varying price points, these airplanes are far from inexpensive to own and operate, plus they can be unforgiving in the hands of pilots […]

The Citabria is a proven design, based on the Champion 7-series airframe. The more rugged 8 series is the more fully aerobatic Decathlon. Pre-1990s Citabrias have wooden wing spars, and with that comes the possibility of strut corrosion. The aerobatic 7GCBC model, with slightly longer wings and flaps, is arguably the most popular with first-time […]

Though often overshadowed by its big-brother SR22, Cirrus’ SR20 is a reasonable airplane for newer pilots, or for those looking to later step up to the faster SR22. Pick your engine and avionics. Earlier models have Avidyne suites and later ones have Garmin’s G1000. In 2017, Cirrus re-engined the six-cylinder Continental-powered aircraft with a four-cylinder […]

The iconic Bonanza has long ago established itself as one of general aviation’s most respected piston singles. And the 36 series still earns high marks for its roomy and upscale passenger dwelling, good fit and finish and timeless good looks. While still in production in limited numbers by Textron as the G36, the 36-series Bonanzas […]

If you have your sights set on a composite four-place piston, the Diamond DA40 Star is likely on the list of airplanes to consider. There is plenty to like, and DA40 owners rave about their airplanes’ performance and reliability. But the deal sealer could be the aircraft’s impressive safety record, thanks to a smart overall […]