Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket.

While the long-running Mooney M20 series of four-seat retractables is known for efficient aerodynamics that allow them to post impressive performance numbers with relatively little horsepower, there are always certain pilots who want more.

Rocket Engineering is among a number of companies that perform conversions on Mooney’s that include larger, more powerful engines, and other systems aimed at boosting climb performance, cruising speed, and service ceiling.

The aircraft for sale here was converted in 1999, swapping its 210 hp Continental TSIO-360 engine for a 305 hp TSIO-520. The additional power made a big impression. Mooney M20Ks were fine performers, but the Rocket-modified versions did most things faster and better.

Additional modifications make this airplane well-suited for fast, high-altitude travel. It is also an ideal vintage platform for competing with modern speedsters like the Cirrus SR22T.

This 1979 305 Rocket has 2,650 hours on the airframe, 940 hours on its Continental TSIO-520-NB engine, and 705 hours on its McCauley three-blade, full-feathering propeller. The aircraft is certified to FL 240 and is equipped with a TKS anti-ice system, speed brakes, and Monroy long-range tanks giving a total usable fuel capacity of 101 gallons. The Mooney received new paint earlier this year and a new interior in 2001.

The panel features dual Garmin GNS 430W GPS/Nav/Comm radios, MX20 MFD, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, KFC200 autopilot, flight director, and engine monitor. 

Pilots who are attracted to Mooney aircraft because of their efficient design but would like a bit more power inside the cowling should consider this 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket, which is available for $189,000 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: BendixKing to Offer Autopilot for Mooney M20-series Airplanes
• FLYING Magazine: STC Approved for Hartzell Propeller Three-Blade Mooney Bravo Prop
• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Grumman AA-5 vs. Mooney M20 Series
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Mooney 231/252
• The Aviation Consumer: Mooney Missile
• AVweb: Mooney Under New Management

The post This 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket Is a Souped-Up ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2000 Quicksilver GT400.

Mentioning the Quicksilver name at a gathering of ultralight enthusiasts is a bit like talking with “traditional” pilots about Piper Cubs. Quicksilver airplanes are staples of the experimental and ultralight worlds.

They have been around for decades, and many adventurous pilots eager to get airborne on a tight budget have learned to fly in them. Some moved on to certified aircraft while others embraced ultralight culture, preferring what some consider a purer sensation of flight compared with the enclosed, insulated experience of piloting a mass-market piston single.

The Quicksilver GT400 model for sale here is considered a hot rod among ultralights, with impressive short-field performance and higher cruising speeds than typical designs in the category. While the aircraft is not designed for cross-country flights, you can travel long distances in it if you have the time and the will. 

This 2000 Quicksilver GT400 has 550 hours on the airframe and 120 hours since overhaul on its Rotax 503 dual-carburetor engine. The aircraft has basic instruments and, as is typical for this type, uses a hand-held radio for communications.

Pilots who have always wanted to try ultralights, or people who see them as an ideal pathway to learning to fly, should consider this 2000 Quicksilver GT400, which is available for $11,500 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: Quicksilver Plans Global Expansion, SLSA Certification
• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Quicksilver Sport 2SE
• FLYING Magazine: Quicksilver Sport S2SE Gains Approval
• Plane & Pilot: Quicksilver Adds 5 Aircraft to FAA Kit List
• Plane & Pilot: 50 Years With No Crashes…and 25 of Them in a Quick!
• KITPLANES: Capturing Air-to-Air Shots
• AVweb: Quicksilver Aircraft ‘Reorganizing’

The post This 2000 Quicksilver GT400 Is a Well-Tested ‘Aircraft For Sale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1969 Cessna 180H Skywagon.

While amphibious floats are an ingenious development, many seaplane traditionalists will tell you that straight floats are the way to go because they force a pilot to focus on water operations, stop thinking about paved runways, and fully embrace the seaplane experience. While floats that work only in water might seem restrictive, they also provide a special brand of freedom.

Knowing that you have to land on water plays a big part in how you plan trips and where you wind up going, though one can argue that seaplane bases are similar to airports in that you can pick up rental cars there and cover the last few miles to your destination just as if you had landed on tarmac. The big difference lies in all of the places you can visit that are not bases at all but beaches, sandbars, and wharfs. Just about any spot with a dock will work, though you certainly do not need that much infrastructure to pull off seaplane sorties. Clear beaches and mooring rope usually will do the trick.  

This 1969 Cessna 180H has 5,400 hours on the airframe and 550 hours on its Continental O-470R engine since overhaul. The 88-inch McCauley propeller has logged 138 hours since new. The panel features an iPad mount, Stratus transponder and ADS-B, and integrated WAAS interface kit for traffic and weather.

Additional equipment includes a seaplane exhaust, Brackett air filter, oil quick drain, Rosen visors til pull handles, and new paint, interior and windshield in 2019. The aircraft comes with standard wheel landing gear, Edo 2870 floats, and Federal 2500 skis.

Pilots interested in exploring lake country, attending seaplane fly-ins, and accessing a new list of interesting places should consider this 1969 Cessna 180H Skywagon, which is available for $249,900 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: Are Seaplanes the Fastest Way From New York to Boston?
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Voyager Propeller Approved for Cessna 180s
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Scimitar Prop Approved for Cessna 180 and 182
• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 180 Skywagon
• The Aviation Consumer: Choosing a Floatplane: What’s a Good One?
• The Aviation Consumer: Seaplane Transitions: ’Tis the Season

The post This 1969 Cessna 180H Skywagon Is an Adventure-Seeking ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1984 SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon.

Many pilots dream about flying the hottest fighters from World War II, such as North American P-51 Mustangs and Vought F4U Corsairs.

But those increasingly rare aircraft are extremely complex and expensive to maintain—and not all that easy to fly. Those are among the factors that have made military trainers so popular.

Aircraft such as the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, North American AT-6 Texan, Boeing Stearman PT-17, and Epsilon for sale here allow pilots an opportunity to fly vintage military iron without breaking their budgets. Flying aircraft in this category is within the capabilities of many private pilots, though still demanding enough to be exciting.

They generally offer more impressive performance than standard aircraft and are strengthened to handle aerobatic flight and combat-style maneuvers. Among the military trainers available, the Epsilon is closer than most to familiar GA designs, making it more approachable while still somewhat exotic.   

This 1984 TB-30 Epsilon has 4,755 hours on the airframe, 1,203 hours since overhaul on its engine, and 737 hours on the propeller. The panel features a Garmin G5 EFIS with backup battery, Garmin GNX 375 GPS, GA 35 WAAS antenna, GAD 29 interface unit, and Garmin 660 in the rear cockpit. 

Pilots seeking a taste of military flight training in an airplane that is fit for long-distance travel should consider this 1984 SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon, which is available for $356,000 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: Tunisian Air Force Takes Delivery of T-6C Texan II Integrated Trainers
• FLYING Magazine: Genesys Aerosystems Pursues STC for Military Trainers
• FLYING Magazine: U.K. Military Expands Fleet With Beechcraft and Embraer Aircraft
• Plane & Pilot: TB-30 Epsilon Flight Keeps Pilot Hooked on Flying
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Pillán: A Saratoga With ‘Top Gun’ Dreams
• Plane & Pilot: Flying in the Alps

The post This 1984 SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon Is a Military-Spec ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1983 Piper PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga.

A friend and former Piper Saratoga owner used to say it’s the best airplane for family trips. What he meant, I believe, is that it reminded him most of a large, comfortable car or SUV. “Turn on the autopilot, put your feet up and forget it,” he said.

Of course, he was exaggerating, and you would never take such a casual approach to flying. At the same time, most of us know what he is talking about. The Saratoga is a big, stable and user-friendly aircraft that loves to take the straight-and-level route to your favorite destinations.

The Saratoga evolved from the fixed-gear Cherokee Six and retractable Lance, both of which are versions of the PA-32 airframe. Several key features came together in the later Saratoga, including club seating for rear passengers, a 300 hp engine, and a partially tapered wing that performed better than the constant-chord “Hershey Bar” wing on the Lance and Six.

The aircraft for sale here adds the benefits of turbocharging, which allows the airplane to fly at higher altitudes while losing less power than a naturally aspirated engine. On long trips, the extra speed and favorable wind conditions available up high can cut travel time significantly.  

This 1983 Turbo Saratoga has 5,610 hours on the airframe and 910 hours on its 300 hp Lycoming TIO-540-SiAD engine since overhaul. Its Hartzell three-blade propeller has also logged 910 hours since overhaul.

The panel includes a Garmin GNS 430 WAAS, Garmin G5 HSI, Garmin GDL 88 ADS-B receiver, GTX 330ES transponder, PS Engineering 1000 II intercom, King KMA 24 audio panel, KNS 80 RNAV/DME, KY 197 Comm, King FCS function board, KFC 200 autopilot, 3M WX-10A Stormscope, JPI EDM-700 engine monitor, digital tachometer, and Aerospace Logic fuel gauges.

Additional equipment includes LoPresti gear door speed mod, Knots 2 U gap seals, LED landing light, Reiff engine preheater, factory air conditioning, built-in oxygen system, and Rosen visors.

Pilots seeking a piston single with six seats as they cross-shop Beechcraft Bonanzas and Cessna 210s should make a point of checking out this 1983 Piper PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga, 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: Air Compare: Piper Lance vs. Saratoga
• FLYING Magazine: Piper Saratoga Avionics Install: Part 1
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Saratoga II TC: It’s All About Comfort
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Pillán: A Saratoga With Top Gun Dreams
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Saratoga/Lance
• The Aviation Consumer: Six-Place Shootout
• AVweb: Intercoolers: Turbo Enhancement

The post This 1983 Piper PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga Is a Long-Haul ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

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

Fred Weick, an airmail pilot, aircraft designer, and engineer who also helped advance early airmail operations, left his fingerprints on a number of famously safe and reliable airplanes, including the Piper PA-28. Before that, though, he designed the Ercoupe, which used simplified controls and limited control-surface movement to help keep pilots from losing control of their aircraft.

The Ercoupe reflects many lessons learned from an experimental Weick design called the W-1. The W-1 and W-1A tested several safety features, ranging from reduced pitch control to tricycle landing gear. The Ercoupe followed and was marketed as a “safety airplane” with extremely forgiving flight characteristics.

The aircraft’s reluctance to depart controlled flight made it popular among flight students and casual aviators looking for a safe, easy-to-fly airplane. The endearing Ercoupe has a devoted following among owners who continue to fly and maintain them. Owning an aircraft like this opens a door into an interesting chapter of aviation history.  

This 1946 Ercoupe has 2,264 hours on the airframe and 785 hours on its Continental C-75 engine. The VFR panel includes the most basic instruments, such as a compass, altimeter, airspeed and engine rpm and oil pressure and temperature gauges. The aircraft also carries a trig comm radio and a non-ADS-B transponder. 

Pilots with solid pilotage navigation skills, or tablets in their laps, who seek a traditional 1940s-style general aviation experience should consider this 1946 ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, which is available for $28,750 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: Ercoupe, Aircoupe
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Ercoupe and Cadet
• The Aviation Consumer: Legacy LSAs: Champ Is a Top Value

The post This 1946 ERCO 415-C Ercoupe Is an Easy-to-Fly ‘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
• FLYING Magazine: Panel Planner 101 Live: Cessna T210 Avionics Upgrade
• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 210 Centurion
• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 210 Silver Eagle by O&N Aircraft Modifications
• The Aviation Consumer: Cessna 210
• The Aviation Consumer: Cessna Pressurized 210

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 1983 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza

Beechcraft Bonanzas have been desirable personal aircraft since the model’s introduction in 1947. Their reputation for performance, styling, and overall high quality kept the four-place retractables at the top of the general aviation market for decades.

By the mid-1960s, though, Piper’s PA-32 Cherokee Six and Cessna’s 206, both utilitarian six-seat piston singles, clearly were drawing potential customers away from Beechcraft.

To counter the competition, Beechcraft stretched the fuselage of its Model 33 Debonair, also called a “straight tail” Bonanza, to accommodate six seats. This version, the Model 36 Bonanza, went on sale for 1968, the same year Beechcraft officially renamed the Debonair the E33 Bonanza.

The 36, later the A36, had double doors on the right side designed to ease cargo loading. Remember, this was marketed as a utility aircraft. The doors also made it easy for passengers to access the rear seats, so buyers soon began requesting posh interiors and other equipment to fine-tune the aircraft for passenger comfort.

Optional club seating quickly became standard, and the A36 took its long-held position as what many consider the standard bearer of the piston single market.

This 1983 A36 Bonanza has 3,893 hours on the airframe, 1,357 hours on its 285 hp Continental IO-520-BB engine, and 684 hours on its McCauley propeller. The engine underwent a top overhaul with new Millennium cylinders 42 hours ago. 

The panel includes dual Aspen Evolution 1000 flight displays, Aspen EFD, RC Allen backup attitude indicator, Garmin 530W, Garmin 430W, PS Engineering audio panel with Bluetooth, JPI EDM 930 engine monitor, Trig TT31 transponder, ADS-B In and Out, KFC 200 autopilot, and Flightstream 210 iPad interface.

Additional equipment includes a standby alternator, Rosen visors, and an LED landing light.

Pilots looking for a high-performance retractable piston single with the flexibility of a family-friendly, six-seat cabin should consider this 1983 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, which is available for $299,000 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: Air Compare: Beechcraft A36 Bonanza vs. Bonanza V-tails
• FLYING Magazine: Finding Your Ideal Aircraft: Focus on the Mission, Especially When It Changes
• FLYING Magazine: ABS Air Safety Foundation Announces the BEST in Beechcraft Pilot Training
• Plane & Pilot: Beechcraft A36/A36TC/B36TC Bonanza
• The Aviation Consumer: Aircraft Review: Beechcraft Bonanza 36
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Beech Bonanza 36
• AVweb: Xerion Gets STC For Bonanza Engine Monitors

The post This 1983 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza Is a Family-Hauling ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1964 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche

Piper’s PA-24-250 Comanche is a classic among high-performance four-seat retractables. Its sleek fuselage and beautifully tapered wing help the mid-20th Century design make a favorable impression in the air and on the ramp. However, with the last of the Comanches manufactured in 1972, before a flood destroyed the factory and tooling, these are antique airplanes that often have a lot of needs. That is why this aircraft, restored and updated inside and out, is particularly appealing.

This PA-24-250 has 6,248 hours on the airframe, 913 hours since new on its Lycoming O-540-A1DS engine and McCauley 3-blade propeller. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight is 2,900 pounds and its useful load totals 887 pounds. Fuel capacity is 90 gallons.

The panel features Garmin G500 avionics with synthetic vision, a GMA340 audio panel, GNS 530W GPS/Nav/Com, GDL 69A Sirius XM satellite receiver, GA-55 Sirius XM WX, GTX 330 transponder with active traffic alerts, AV-30C standby display and an S-TEC 30 autopilot and a JPI 9000 autopilot.

The aircraft underwent a refurbishment in 2010 including stripping and the replacement of many rivets. The engine was new when installed in 2014 with extensive detailing of the firewall and engine compartment. Inside, the cabin includes luxury features such as seatback video screens for the rear passengers, a new overhead panel with wood inlays, and a built-in supplemental oxygen system.

Pilots who like the Comanche’s solid performance and stylish design and wish for an example with as many updates as possible should consider this 1964 PA-24-250, which is available for $339,000 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: Keller Brothers Airport Remains a Family Affair
• FLYING Magazine: Ellis & Associates STC Allows Modified Airplane Windows To Open
• FLYING Magazine: Piper’s History Found on the Bank of the Susquehanna
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Comanche 400: A Muscle Car On Wings
• Plane & Pilot: 1964 Piper Comanche 250 PA-24-250
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Comanche

The post This 1964 Piper PA-24-250 Is a Meticulously Refurbished ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2023 BRM Aero Bristell LSA.

When the FAA established the light sport aircraft category in 2004, its rules appeared to emphasize limitations. Light sport airplanes would be lighter, smaller, and less powerful than traditional light aircraft and would have relatively modest performance and range. The BRM Aero Bristell was among a group of sleek two-seaters that reached cruising speeds comparable to those of bigger airplanes, and often even faster.

Because of its speed and styling, pilots have compared the BRM Aero Bristell with the fast-flying Cirrus SR 22. When judged on speed and efficiency this LSA is a worthy rival to traditional fast four-seat retractables such as the Beechcraft Bonanza, and modern composite machines like the Cirrus.

If we had to pick one thing about the BRM Aero Bristell that sets it apart from other light sport models it would be its capability as a traveling airplane. For a long time light sport airplanes were defined by their limited range that made them impractical for long-distance travel. The Bristell is a departure, with turbocharged power that allows it to climb high quickly and cover vast distances. 

This 2023 BRM Aero Bristell has five hours on the airframe and its turbocharged, 140 hp Rotax 915iS engine. The panel features dual Garmin G3X Touch 10-inch screens, GNX 375 GPS, GTR 20R remote-mounted com radio and Garmin autopilot.

Pilots interested in high-performance climb rates and cruising speeds in a compact light sport package should consider this 2023 Aero Bristell, which is available for $410,574 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: We Fly: BRM Aero Bristell SLSA
• FLYING Magazine: Michelin Aviation Partners with BRM Aero Bristell
• FLYING Magazine: Bristell LSA Makes U.S. Debut
• Plane & Pilot: Bristell: An LSA Traveling Machine
• Plane & Pilot: Bristell Aircraft Appoints North American Distributor
• Plane & Pilot: 2017 Bristell NG 5 LSA
• The Aviation Consumer: Bristell NG5 – Another LSA Speedster

The post This 2023 BRM Aero Bristell Is a Speedy Light Sport ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.