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 1996 Aero Commander 114TC.

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out why certain decades-old aircraft failed to thrive on the GA market when they were new. This is especially so when those airplanes seem almost perfect today.

“Perfect” might be a slight exaggeration in the Commander 114’s case, though owners will tell you it has no real competition. If this assessment sounds familiar, it is probably because many owners say the same thing about their particular brand of airplane.

Let’s sort out the real from the imagined regarding Commanders.

Rockwell, known for military aircraft, developed the Commander during the 1960s general aviation boom as a way to tap the civilian market. The initial model, called the Commander 112, was underpowered, and the later 114 fixed that problem, though cruising speed never quite matched certain competing singles such as the Beechcraft Bonanza. Yet for most pilots moving up from modest fixed-gear trainers, the Commander brings a major speed upgrade.

The turbocharged 1996 Commander for sale here offers another bump in performance over the naturally aspirated versions. With the turbo maintaining sea-level manifold pressure as altitude increases, the 114TC can reach faster cruise speeds at higher altitudes. Many pilots prefer the flexibility that turbocharging offers. 

This 1996 Commander 114TC has 1,204 hours on the airframe, Lycoming TIO-540-AG1A engine, and McCauley B3D3C419 propeller. The aircraft features factory air conditioning and a four-place oxygen system. It has a useful load of 942 pounds. 

The panel includes a Garmin GNS 430W GPS/Nav/Comm, Bendix/King KX 155 Nav/Comm, PMA 8000BTI audio panel, Bendix/King KFC 200 autopilot, KN 64 DME, KR 87 ADF, Garmin GPSMAP 696, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, EI CGR-30P primary engine monitor, Flight Stream 210, HSI, Insight Stormscope, and dual vacuum pumps.

Pilots interested in a roomy, comfortable aircraft that will make family members happy to embark on long trips together should consider this 1996 Aero Commander 114TC, which is available for $264,900 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: New Power to the Commander
• FLYING Magazine: New Fly-In Rentals Offer Open Door to Canada’s Napa Valley
• Plane & Pilot: Rockwell Commander 112/112TC
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Commander Singles
• The Aviation Consumer: Commander 114TC
• AVweb: Commander Rises Again

The post This 1996 Commander 114TC Is a Passenger-Friendly ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F.

A veteran instructor said that owning a light twin is a big step up from piston singles, in both performance and expense. However, for those who find themselves flying ever-longer distances over terrain not suited for emergency landings, the measure of security a second engine offers can easily be worth the cost.

The aircraft for sale here has a roomy, six-place cabin with good-looking upholstery and a panel with a number of modern upgrades. The F model is the last of the Aztec types, and 1981 was the aircraft’s last year of production. The first Aztecs arrived on the market in 1960 and each successive version, with a new letter suffix, brought new features. Many people prefer the F model over the rest because it has most of the desirable features, such as the long nose housing an extended baggage compartment.

This 1981 Piper Aztec F has 3,242 hours on the airframe, 493 hours on each of its 250 hp Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 engines since overhaul, and 26 hours on both propellers since overhaul. A one-piece windshield, long-range fuel tanks, and electric trim are among the aircraft’s upgrades.

The panel features Garmin GNS 530 WAAS and GNS 430 WAAS GPS/Nav/Comms, GMA 340 audio panel, King KCS 55 HSI, Garmin GTX 327 transponder STEC 55X autopilot, King KN DME, Bendix RDR 159 color radar, JPI EDM 760 engine monitor, and Shadin fuel flow instrument,      

Pilots looking for a reliable, six-seat light twin with a nice combination of load-carrying capacity, short-field performance, and cruising speed should consider this  1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F, which is available for $280,000 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: Hartzell Has Top Prop Available for Aztec Operators
• FLYING Magazine: MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Aztec 
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Apache
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Aztec
• AVweb: Record-Breaking Aviator Fran Bera Dead At 93

The post This 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Is a Well-Kept ‘AircraftForSale’ 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 2007 Schweizer 300C.

The tiny Bell 47 helicopter might have been good enough to earn a place in the collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, but more people might recognize the Hughes 300, developed a decade later and used for a range of missions, including flight training, police patrol, traffic reporting, and agricultural work.

Its rounded fuselage and distinct oval-shaped side windows have become familiar over more than 60 years since the model’s commercial introduction in the early 1960s.

Schweizer, known for manufacturing a range of gliders, began building the helicopter under license from Hughes in the early 1980s and later acquired the rights and FAA type certificate for the aircraft, which became the Schweizer 300.

The later model 300C for sale here is well-suited for duty as a reliable, economical training helicopter or personal transport machine. Its familiar piston engine and traditional construction make it easy to maintain compared with larger, more complex turbine models.

This 2007 Schweizer 300C, also called a 269C, has 2,196 hours on the airframe and 144 hours on its Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine. The aircraft’s empty weight is 1,233 pounds and its maximum takeoff weight totals 2,050 pounds. Useful load is 817 pounds.

The panel includes Garmin Aera 660, King KX 155 Nav/Comm, Garmin GTX 327 transponder, GDL 82 ADS-B Out, GDL 50 ADS-B In, and PS Engineering PM1000 intercom. The aircraft comes with two Lightspeed Zulu headsets with Bluetooth and active noise reduction.

Pilots looking for a basic, economical two-seat helicopter with modern equipment and vintage appeal should consider this 2007 Schweizer 269C, which is available for $250,000 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: Schweizer Finishes First Factory Refreshed S300CBi Helicopter
• FLYING Magazine: Schweizer S-300 Production to Resume After Sale by Sikorsky
• FLYING Magazine: Schweizer Receives FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certificate
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Robinson R22
• The Aviation Consumer: Can Workhorse Reinvent the Helicopter?
• AVweb: Schweizer Aircraft Acquired by Sikorsky

The post This 2007 Schweizer Is a Classic, Rotor-Wing ‘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 1977 American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon.

The basic American Champion Citabria excels at making introductions. Whether pilots are seeking tailwheel endorsements, practicing short-field technique, or learning about backcountry flying, Citabrias have always been a good place to start in part because of their wide range of equipment and performance.

Pilots who want to get serious about aerobatics are likely to gravitate toward the Super Decathlon, which serves as a versatile stepping stone between basic flight training and the possible acquisition of a dedicated aerobatic aircraft such as an Extra or a Pitts.

A Super Decathlon can be a good mount for any pilot who wants a more traditional, tactile flying experience. Without the digital instrumentation, navigation and automation that are increasingly common in today’s GA aircraft, this Decathlon demands constant engagement. You will spend most of your time aloft looking outside, scanning your surroundings instead of monitoring screens. 

If you have been flying for a long time, an airplane like this can take you back to your earliest days of hand-flying.

This Super Decathlon has 2,258 hours on the airframe and 345 hours on its 180 hp engine. The aircraft is certified in the standard and aerobatic categories and is equipped with inverted fuel and oil systems. During 2015 the wing spare was inspected and revarished, and the wing was repainted. The fuselage was repainted in 2023, and the interior was refurbished in 2022. The panel is equipped with basic flight and engine instruments.

Pilots interested in pursuing aerobatics or just looking for a traditional taildragger with performance well above average should consider this 1977 American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon, which is available for $117,000 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: American Champion Unveils Xtreme Decathlon
•  FLYING Magazine: The Family That Flies Together
• FLYING Magazine: Over, Under, Sideways, Down: The Art and Science of Aerobatic Flight
• Plane & Pilot: Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon
• Plane & Pilot: American Champion Super Decathlon: Flight With Greg Koontz
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Decathlon and Citabria

The post This 1977 American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon Is an Entry-Level Aerobatic ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 Cirrus SR22T G6.

The Cirrus SR22’s arrival on the market more than 20 years ago marked a new direction and a new standard for general aviation aircraft.

Certified piston airplanes capable of transporting a family of four no longer had to be composed of aluminum panels held together with hundreds of rivets. For the first time in decades, small personal aircraft design seemed to be advancing.

The new airplane’s sleek, smooth, and aerodynamic composite airframe and powerful engine combined to provide impressive, reliable performance beyond what earlier models offered. Potential customers as well as rivals in the industry were surprised that the Cirrus models could fly so fast without retracting their landing gear.

The standard-equipment Cirrus airframe parachute placed the SR22 and SR20 even further ahead of competitors. The novel safety device gives pilots more options in emergency situations. In recent years similar parachute systems have become available as modifications for earlier makes and models, confirming the market for airframe parachutes stretches beyond the Cirrus lineup.

This 2020 Cirrus has 700 hours on the airframe, its Continental engine, and Hartzell three-blade scimitar propeller. The aircraft comes with a warranty until April 2025.

The panel features the Cirrus Perspective Plus avionic suite, which includes dual WAAS GPS receivers, dual AHARS, dual air data computers, dual Garmin 12-inch displays, Garmin GMA-350c audio panel, GTX 345R transponder with ADS-B In and Out, GFC 700 autopilot with yaw damper and electronic stability, synthetic vision, QWERTY keyboard controller, Garmin Active Traffic, SiriusXM weather and radio, Garmin Flight Stream, engine monitor, and enhanced ground proximity warning system.

Additional features and equipment include air conditioning, TKS anti-ice system, five-place oxygen system, and Tanis engine preheater.

Pilots interested in a modern, high-performance piston single with composite construction and a long list of features to satisfy pilots and passengers should consider this 2020 Cirrus SR22T-G6, which is available for $829,900 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.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus SR22T 8000
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Composite Prop Comes to Cirrus SR22
• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus SR22 G6
• Plane & Pilot: Latest Cirrus SR22 Is Faster? How Much Faster?
• Plane & Pilot: Redbird Has Cirrus SR22 Controls for Home Flight Simulators
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cirrus SR22

The post This 2020 Cirrus SR22T Is a Standard-Setting ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 ICON A5.

Like a lot of light sport aircraft (LSA), the ICON A5 was designed for sport flying—the pursuit of good times aloft rather than the efficient transit between points.

The sleek machine thoroughly fulfills its primary mission, excelling at low altitude reconnaissance of lakes, rivers, and coves that easily serve as landing spots. 

The A5’s compact airframe and maneuverability make it ideal for short recreational flights. Still, the notion that LSAs do not adapt well to travel over longer distances is not accurate.

Traveling to out-of-the-way places with a lot of water landing opportunities could be the ideal setting for the A5. For flying into the backcountry, this aircraft is an alternative to high-wing taildraggers with oversize tires.

Exploring waterways, beaches, and sandbars is a great way to embrace the great outdoors. Traveling longer straight-line distances, especially along rivers and coastlines, is also within the ICON’s capability. Imagine seaplane base-hopping from North Carolina’s Outer Banks to the Florida Keys.

This ICON A5 has 220 hours on the airframe and its Rotax 912 engine.  

Pilots looking for an aircraft that is well-suited to pure sport flying, with a focus on the joy of being airborne, should consider this 2020 ICON A5, which is available for $269,000 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: ICON A5 Receives FAA Primary Category Type Certification
• FLYING Magazine: ICON A5 Among Aircraft to Appear at Detroit Auto Show
• FLYING Magazine: ICON A5 Light-Sport Aircraft Review
• FLYING Magazine: ICON A5s Will Soon Include Garmin’s G3X
• Plane & Pilot: The ICON A5: An LSA Amphib That Handles Like a Dream
• Plane & Pilot: ICON Bumps Useful Load of A5 LSA Seaplane
• The Aviation Consumer: ICON A5: A Sophisticated and Fun Aircraft

The post This 2020 ICON A5 Is a Fun, Versatile ‘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.