Today’s Top Pick is a 1955 Cessna 180 Skywagon.

The Cessna 180’s conventional landing gear and squared-off “straight” vertical fin and rudder give it a distinctive vintage silhouette that many pilots find attractive. This appeal, coupled with the aircraft’s capabilities on short strips and  off-airport travel have helped to drive up prices for the muscular taildragger.

Shopping for early models from the 1950s can be an effective way to find more affordable examples that still look great. Because the 180 was a modern, efficient design when new, it remains practical for family transport and recreation.      

The 180 helped popularize STOL flying decades ago and inspired some of the best short-field performers now available. But while we often see images of 180s on skis, hauling big game out of hunting camps in Alaska, the aircraft’s lifting capability and cruising speed make it just as well-suited for your next cross-country family vacation.  

This 1955 Cessna 180 has 4,133 hours on the airframe, 10 hours on its 230 hp Continental O-470 engine, and 190 hours since overhaul on the McCauley two-blade seaplane propeller. The aircraft has a useful load of 776 pounds and carries 55 gallons of fuel.

The panel includes a custom audio panel, King KMD 150 color moving map GPS, Icom IC-A200 760 channel LCD digital om radio, King KX 175B analog nav/comm, Garmin GTX 335 transponder with ADS-B Out, remote ELT arming panel, Alcor analog EGT, digital tachometer, CHT gauge, carb temperature gauge, and 12-volt power outlet.

Additional equipment includes Alaskan Bushwheel six-bolt wheels and brakes, BAS inertia reel shoulder harnesses, BAS tailcone lift handles, door stewards, Rosen visors, Selkirk extended baggage compartment, Atlee Dodge folding rear seats, P-Ponk landing gear reinforcements, Brackett air filter, alternator conversion, and input for ground service power.

Pilots who are interested in a classic Cessna taildragger that combines the visual charm of an antique aircraft with the practicality of a powerful engine and spacious cabin should consider this1955 Cessna 180 Skywagon, which is available for $169,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: One Iconic Cessna 180 Has Quite a Story to Tell
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• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 180 Skywagon

The post This 1955 Cessna 180 Is a Practical, Collectible ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1947 Luscombe 8E.

Pilots are increasingly embracing the many potential advantages of owning and flying vintage aircraft dating to the 1940s and ’50s. While machines like the Luscombe 8 series and the Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champs, and Cessna 140s it competes with are not built for speed, they have other endearing qualities including short-field performance, good looks, and the ability to start conversations wherever they land.

Compared with many of its contemporaries, the Luscombe is less fragile-looking and, when equipped with wheel pants like the aircraft for sale here, displays a smooth, streamlined shape that reminds us of racy designs from aviation’s golden age. The aircraft makes a pleasant traveling platform for two people who know how to pack lightly and are not in too much of a hurry to reach their destination. Still, it will get you there much sooner than driving.

This 1947 Luscombe has 2,330 hours on the airframe and 750 hours since overhaul on its 90 hp Continental C-90 engine. Its panel includes a Garmin GTR 200B com with intercom and a GTX 330 transponder. Additional features include Groves brakes, new alternator and voltage regulator, and new BAS shoulder harnesses. The aircraft’s carburetor was rebuilt last year, and its exhaust was replaced in 2020. 

Pilots looking for a classic two-seat taildragger, especially those who prefer the unusual combination of control sticks with side-by-side seating, should consider this 1947 Luscombe 8E, which is available for $45,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: The Luscombe 8 Offers a Unique Trip Back in Time
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The post This 1947 Luscombe 8E Is a Rugged, Mid-Century ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1977 Cessna A185F Skywagon.

For many pilots the Cessna 185 is the ultimate all-around taildragger. When the airplane came to market in 1961, essentially as a heavy-duty version of the existing 180, it was an immediate hit, though interest grew significantly a few years later when Cessna upgraded its powerplant from a 260 hp Continental IO-470 to a 300 hp IO-520. The change contributed to the model’s legendary ability to operate off-airport and from short strips with heavy loads.

Even though 185 production ended in 1985, it often seems that the aircraft’s popularity never really faded and, indeed, continued to grow to the point where it appears to be more popular today than ever. The airplane for sale here offers the versatility of wheels, floats, or skis, and has modifications that make it especially well-suited for travel into remote areas. It is difficult to look at this Cessna 185 without imagining airborne adventures on the remote rivers and lakes of Alaska, Maine, or Minnesota.

This A185F has 6,800 hours on the airframe and 1,000 hours on its Continental IO-520D engine since a major overhaul. The engine’s six cylinders were replaced more recently and have accrued 300 hours. The engine is equipped with GAMI injectors and rests on a special Seaplanes West engine mount.

Additional upgrades include P.Ponk-reinforced landing gear (wheels are included), modifications for wheel skis, a BAS tail-pull handle, Aqua 3190 floats, and Aeropod tailcone access panels. The VFR panel includes an JPI EDM 830 engine monitor. 

Pilots looking for a powerful, utilitarian taildragger with generous and flexible load-carrying capacity should consider this 1977 Cessna A185F, which is available for $184,000 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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• AVweb: Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 185 Skywagon

The post This 1977 Cessna A185F Skywagon Is a Turnkey Adventure Machine and an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2007 Diamond DA42.

Ever since its debut in the early 2000s, the Diamond DA42 light twin has attracted the interest of flight schools seeking economical multiengine trainers. They are also attractive to individual private pilots who wish to move up to the light twin category while keeping operating costs under control.

The aircraft’s diesel engines are a focal point, especially for operators who prefer jet fuel over avgas. The DA42, with its composite structure, advanced avionics, and other modern features, also offers pilots the added sense of security that comes with a relatively new airframe and low hours.

For private pilots who regularly use their aircraft for business or long-distance family travel, possibly over long stretches of water or mountainous terrain, having a second engine can be an added measure of security worth contemplating. The DA42’s relative fuel efficiency, forgiving handling characteristics and impressive all-around performance make it a strong candidate for anyone seeking a capable personal aircraft.        

This 2007 DA42 has 950 hours on the airframe and on both Continental CD135 engines and MT composite propellers since new.

The panel features the Garmin G1000-integrated glass cockpit with dual GDU 1040s with 10-inch screens for PFD and MFD, GEA 71 airframe/engine interface unit, dual GIA 63 Nav/Com/GPS radios, GMA 1347 digital audio system, GTX 345R transponder with ADS-B In and Out, GRS 77 AHRS, GMU 44 magnetometer, GDC 74 air data computer, WX500 StormScope, and Avidyne TAS 60X active traffic.

Additional equipment includes a TKS deicing system, oxygen system, long-range fuel tanks, lightning protection system, HID landing and taxi lights, and automatic three-point safety belts on all four seats.

Pilots looking for a modern, economical light twin for travel or training should consider this 2007 Diamond DA42, which is available for $495,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Diamond DA42 Twin Makes First SAF Flight
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• AVweb: Diamond Offers Continental Option for DA42

The post This 2007 Diamond DA42 Is Fuel Efficient ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1996 Maule MXT-7-180A.

Most of us have seen footage of Maule aircraft performing fantastic feats of short-field flying, often from surfaces that look more like small parking lots than runways. And let’s not forget the famous photo of a Maule taking off through the open door of a hangar.

Those airplanes were all taildraggers, and while the MXT-7’s nosewheel might surprise some traditionalists, the company has enjoyed success with the design since introducing it in 1991. The idea was to compete more effectively with mainstream four-seaters like the Cessna 172 by offering short-field fans the option of tricycle gear with more flexible load-carrying capabilities.

This 1996 Maule MXT-7-180A has 2,925 hours on the airframe, 804 hours on its 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine since overhaul, and 539 hours on its Sensenich propeller since overhaul.

The panel includes a Garmin 796 GPS and a PCAS portable traffic avoidance system. Additional equipment includes heavy-duty struts, observer windows and doors, Rosen visors, float kit installation prep, and Tanis engine heater.

Pilots looking for an economical STOL and backcountry aircraft with the flexibility of tricycle gear should consider this 1996 Maule MXT-7-180A, which is available for $139,900 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Choose Your Mount—The Maules Do it All
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• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Tailwheel Maules

The post This 1996 Maule MXT-7-180A Is a Backcountry ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1951 Cessna 170A.

When I began shopping for an aircraft that my family and I could use for vacation getaways and weekend day trips, I spent many hours watching videos of Cessna 170s landing on turf strips. For a long time I felt any airplane I owned should be at home on a grass runway. While the requirements changed to include aircraft no more than 40 years old, I still consider the 170 a hot prospect for vintage fans who want to use their airplanes regularly.

A well-loved example of this midcentury machine can provide the stability, easy handling, and reliability of its successor, the 172, while hanging onto those beautifully rounded tail surfaces and charismatic taildragger gear. As tailwheel aircraft go, the 170 is considered friendlier than most.

This Cessna 170A has 5,375 hours on the airframe and 1,650 hours on its 145 hp Continental O-300 engine and McCauley propeller. The aircraft was repainted in 1998. The panel includes a Garmin 300 XL GPS, KMA audio panel, Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B, and dual VORs.

Pilots looking for a personal aircraft with an attractive combination of nostalgia and practicality should consider this 1951 Cessna 170A, which is available for $84,900 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: The Cessna 170 Is a Ticket to Adventure
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• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 170

The post This 1951 Cessna 170A Is a Practical Antique and an AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1944 Stinson Vultee V-77.

A graceful, unusual wing shape sets the later Stinson Reliant models apart from other 1930s general aviation aircraft. Earlier Reliants had straight, constant-chord wings and are quite different in design despite having the same name as the later, so-called gull-wing versions. The aircraft were sought-after as personal conveyance and were used for military training and utility work during World War II.

The Stinson for sale here carries the Vultee V-77 nomenclature that identifies it as a former military airplane. The aircraft, which was re-covered with Poly-Fiber in 2015 as part of a restoration, has 1,420 hours on the airframe, 230 hours on the radial engine, and 85 hours on the propeller since overhaul. The panel is basic VFR with a Trig radio and transponder with ADS-B Out.

Pilots interested in flying a rare, eye-catching antique aircraft to as many vintage fly-ins as possible and forming bonds with the community of caretakers who look after these classic birds should consider this Stinson Vultee V-77, which is available for $147,500 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Pilots Gather at the 2022 Stinson Summit
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The post This 1944 Stinson Vultee V-77 Is a Warbird-Eligible ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1937 Fairchild F-24 H.

Flying a 1930s aircraft requires a certain level of commitment. However, this four-seat Fairchild F-24 was a modern machine when it left the factory in 1937 and is likely to feel largely familiar to pilots today. This restored model is especially attractive for vintage aircraft enthusiasts who like to travel in their antique mounts. This airplane would be ideal for outgoing pilots who enjoy visiting new airports and attending aviation events. 

This 1937 Fairchild F-24 H has 2,821 hours on the airframe and 31 hours on the engine. The VFR panel includes a King KMA 24 audio panel, KX 155 nav/com, and King KT 76A transponder. 

Pilots interested in an antique personal aircraft from aviation’s golden age that remains practical for transportation today and will get you invited to nearly any fly-in should consider this Fairchild F-24 H, which is available for $99,500 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: The One That Got Away
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The post This 1937 Fairchild F-24 H Is a Practical Antique and ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1965 American Champion 7ECA Citabria.

This particular version of the Citabria, the 100 hp 7ECA, is my favorite because it is such a gentle, forgiving machine, especially among taildraggers. My flying club has one in which I occasionally take recurrent training to keep my tailwheel endorsement in shape. Deep down, though, I think the best way to stay current in a tailwheel airplane is to fly it all the time.

When I fly the Citabria, I always wind up thinking about how things would go if I owned it. I imagine that my wife would be perfectly happy traveling to Deer Isle, Maine, or Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in the rear seat, at less than half the cruising speed of our Commander 114B. We would have more time to savor the experience.

This aerobatic 1965 Citabria has 1,173 hours on the airframe and 837 hours on its 100 hp Continental O-200 engine since overhaul. Its McCauley ACM6948 propeller was dynamically balanced in 2021. The aircraft was re-covered with Poly Fiber and repainted in 2004, with a new interior installed the same year. It is equipped with 8.50 tires, Scott 3200 tailwheel, and quick-release aerobatic door.

The full gyro panel includes an accelerometer, Garmin GTR 225 with intercom, KT 76A Mode C transponder, and uAvionix Skybeacon ADS-B. The airplane also comes with a JPI 730 engine monitor that has not been installed.

Pilots craving the warm embrace between oleo strut landing gear and a grass strip, and the joy of flying low and slow, following terrain features instead of the magenta line, should consider this 1965 American Champion Citabria, which is available for $45,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: Getting Reacquainted With Taildraggers Is Time Well Spent
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• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Decathlon and Citabria

The post This 1965 American Champion 7ECA Citabria Is an Unhurried, Unflappable ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2022 Vans RV-14.

When the first Van’s RV-14s reached the market about a decade ago, some fans of the company’s long line of aircraft wondered what made this side-by-side two-seater different from others in its fleet such as the RV-7. The two do appear similar, at least to the untrained eye. Closer inspection reveals that the RV-14 is larger, with a more powerful engine and more baggage space.

For people who like to draw comparisons between aircraft and cars, one might call the RV-7 a classic, compact, two-seat sports car while the RV-14 is more of a GT, or grand touring machine. Indeed, the larger aircraft’s wing is designed to operate efficiently on longer cross-country trips. While not all customers had noticed, Van’s felt there was a gap to be filled in the fleet somewhere between the RV-7 and the large, four-seat RV-10. Today the many pilots flying RV-14 appear to agree.    

This recently built RV-14 has an airworthiness date of March 22, 2022, and has logged 65 hours on the airframe, its Lycoming YIO-390-EXP76 engine, and  Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed propeller. The aircraft has a 50-gallon usable-fuel system.

Its panel includes a Garmin G3X IFR avionics suite with dual 10-inch screens, GMC 507 autopilot, GMA 245R remote audio panel, GNX 375 IFR navigator with ADS-B In and Out transponder.

Pilots seeking a high-performance, homebuilt aircraft with decades of development and market experience behind it should consider this 2022 Van’s RV-14, which is available for $298,000 on AircraftForSale.

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

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: RV-14A Full Performance
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The post This 2022 Van’s RV-14 Is a Homebuilt, Cross-Country ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.