Today’s Top Pick is a 2010 Aviat A-1C-180 Husky.

There is a reason the Aviat Husky reminds many people of a Piper PA-18 Super Cub. It is because the airplane’s designer, Frank Christensen, had the Cub in mind. He had tried to buy the Super Cub design from Piper with a plan to build an improved version. Piper declined the offer, however, leaving Christensen, who produced the Christen Eagle aerobatic biplane, to design his own STOL utility machine. He started with a list of improvements that, many pilots feel, make the Husky a more pleasant airplane to fly than the Super Cub.

Several versions of the Husky have rolled out of the factory since the first one flew in 1985. The 180 hp model for sale here hits a sweet spot for many pilots, combining strong short-field and load-carrying performance with decent cruising speed, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Wipline 2100 amphibian floats are included, as are standard wheels and oversize bush wheels and tires.  

This 2010 Husky has 1,129 hours on the airframe and 1,132 hours on the 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A1P engine and MT 3-blade propeller. The VFR panel includes a Garmin 696 GPS. The aircraft is equipped with vortex generators.

Pilots looking for a strong STOL performer with cruise speeds suitable for longer cross-country trips and the option for operating on water should consider this 2010 Aviat A-1C-180 Husky, which is available for $250,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Husky Experience Offers Backcountry Fun
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• FLYING Magazine: Video: Reverse Taxi in a Husky
• Plane & Pilot: Aviat‘s Husky Adds New Tricks
• Plane & Pilot: Plane & Pilot Photo/Video of the Week: Autoland in a Husky?
• The Aviation Consumer: Aviat Husky
• AVweb: Buying Utility STOL: Ignore the Ad Hype

The post This 2010 Aviat A1-C-180 Husky Is a Short-Field Wiz and an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Cessna R172K Skyhawk.

When pilots talk about using aircraft to pursue adventures, floatplanes often find their way into the conversation. A desire to explore remote airports—and perhaps the occasional grass strip—tends to expand to include landing modified STOL airplanes on hillsides, gravel bars, and beaches. But why land on the shore if you can land in the water?

The Cessna for sale here appeals to me because I learned to fly in 172s and do not often see them on floats and subsequently on the market. While a fully kitted-out de Havilland Beaver is the stuff of flying fantasies, a 172 is a more reasonable goal for many of us. I can think of a few shores where I would love to beach this one. 

This Cessna 172K has 2,953 hours on the airframe and 1,342 hours since overhaul on its Continental IO-360 engine, which, rated at 200 hp, is a significant upgrade over engines in stock 172s. The aircraft comes with standard landing gear, so it can be converted between land and water use. Its useful load is 600 pounds with floats and 930 pounds with landing gear.

The panel includes a Garmin 430 GPS/nav/com, Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B transponder, Garmin Aera portable GPS, Horizon Aircraft digital tachometer, JPI 450 fuel flow meter, and JPI EDM 700 engine monitor.

Pilots who want to train for a seaplane rating and build time on the water, or those already rated who wish to add a floatplane to their fleet, should take a look at this 1979 Cessna 172K, which is available for $250,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Getting Back in the Water: Seaplane Fly-Ins That Inspire
• FLYING Magazine: Hopping the Virgin Islands by Seaplane
• FLYING Magazine: How Seaplane Floats Work
• FLYING Magazine: Connecticut Airport Keeping Seaplanes on the River
• Plane & Pilot: Learning To Fly Seaplanes
• Plane & Pilot: Least-Routine Float Landing Ever
• The Aviation Consumer: Seaplane Transitions: ‘Tis the Season

The post This 1979 Cessna 172K Floatplane Is an Adventure-Seeking ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1975 Cessna A185F Skywagon.

Cessna’s 185 is the stuff of dreams for many pilots with backcountry and bush- flying aspirations. Capable of hauling big loads into and out of short fields, the airplane has long been a standard vehicle for transporting hunters, fishing enthusiasts, and other outdoor sportspeople and their gear to remote sites, and bringing back their quarry. Over decades of operation in challenging conditions, the airplane has built a reputation as a rugged, go-anywhere machine.

If there is an aircraft with a higher swagger factor than a Cessna 185, it is a 185 on amphibious floats like the one for sale here. The ability to land on water gives pilots and their passengers access to areas without roads or runways, which they might never reach otherwise. For the return to civilization, the Wipline 3730 floats allow landings on more conventional paved runways.

This Cessna A185F has 1,834 hours on the airframe, 192 hours on its Continental IO-520D engine since factory remanufacture, and 230 hours on the three-blade MT propeller since overhaul. A set of Apollo avionics includes GX60 GPS and SL30 Nav/Comm, SL15M audio panel, and SL70 transponder. An S-Tec 50 autopilot, JPI EDM 700 engine monitor, fuel flow meter, and digital tachometer round out the panel.

Additional equipment includes a gear advisory system for the floats, Seaplanes West engine mount, Oregon Aircraft Designs heat shields, GAMI injectors, and Tanis engine pre-heater.

Pilots looking for a high-performance ticket to adventure and access to a wider list of destinations should consider this 1975 Cessna A185F Skywagon, which is available on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Alaska Wild in a Cessna 185
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• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 185 Skywagon
• Plane & Pilot: Cessna’s Big 185

The post A 1975 Cessna A185F Skywagon with Amphibious Floats Is an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick for Adventure appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“Achieving the milestone of delivering 150 sets of Wipline 13000 floats is validation of their durability and reliability, as well as the popularity of the Twin Otter airplane. We genuinely appreciate Trans Maldivian Airways’ partnership with us, said Wipaire president and CEO Chuck Wiplinger. “Every Wipaire employee takes pride in the design and manufacture of these floats and the commitment of TMA to choose Wiplines for their fleet,” he added.

The large 13000 float was certified in 1992 and gave transport companies a way to carry more people longer distances on a single flight. When equipped with these floats, the de Havilland Twin Otter became the go-to floatplane platform for Trans Maldivian.

“We grew tourism in the Maldives through seaplane operations. Wipaire has been a reliable supplier through this journey. We celebrate the delivery of the 150th set which are installed on our 59th Twin Otter,” said Stanley Ranjit, chief commercial officer for Trans Maldivian Airways.

Wipaire has designed and manufactured a range of aircraft floats for more than 65 years, including models made to fit aircraft from the Piper Cub to the Twin Otter. The company also offers maintenance, avionics installation and repair, custom interior design and installation, and exterior paint refinishing services, and has engineered more than 100 supplemental type certificated modifications.

• READ MORE: FAA Issues Emergency AD for de Havilland Otters

The post Wipaire Delivers 150th Set of Wipline 13000 Floats to Trans Maldivian Airways appeared first on FLYING Magazine.