Flying Staff Archives - FLYING Magazine https://cms.flyingmag.com/author/staffflying-media/ The world's most widely read aviation magazine Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:03:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.4 This 2000 Quicksilver GT400 Is a Well-Tested ‘Aircraft For Sale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/this-2000-quicksilver-gt400-is-a-well-tested-aircraft-for-sale-top-pick/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:03:20 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=212078&preview=1 Highly regarded design has introduced many pilots to ultralights.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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This 1996 Commander 114TC Is a Passenger-Friendly ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/this-1996-commander-114tc-is-a-passenger-friendly-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:10:23 +0000 /?p=211985 A wide cabin and stable flight characteristics make this four-seat, high-performance retractable a hit with family and friends.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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Employer Profile: Metro Aviation https://www.flyingmag.com/careers/employer-profile-metro-aviation/ Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:18:26 +0000 /?p=211964 Metro Aviation operates aircraft for hospitals nationwide and installs medical, law enforcement, and corporate kits into clients’ aircraft.

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Metro Aviation Inc. began in 1982 as a helicopter charter, flight training, and maintenance operator. Today, the company has two missions: It installing medical, law enforcement, and corporate kits for aircraft and operating aircraft for hospitals nationwide. 

In 2024, Metro Aviation added fixed-wing aircraft to its fleet with the creation of Metro Gulf. Metro Aviation operates three MRO facilities in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Lafayette, Louisiana, and its headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Metro Aviation Mission Statement

“To provide the safest and highest quality aircraft operations, completions, and maintenance so that our customers can safely and effectively accomplish their mission profile, our employees can exercise their talents and maximize their potential, and the company can ensure its financial stability.”

Metro Aviation Openings on FindaPilot.com

More Metro Aviation Resources:

More Help from FindaPilot.com

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This 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Is a Well-Kept ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/this-1981-piper-pa-23-250-aztec-f-is-a-well-kept-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:42:24 +0000 /?p=211909 A pilot favorite among light twins, the Aztec is known for stable, forgiving flight characteristics.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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This 1969 Cessna 180H Skywagon Is an Adventure-Seeking ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft-for-sale-top-picks/this-1969-cessna-180h-skywagon-is-an-adventure-seeking-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:26:09 +0000 /?p=211743 Classic, adaptable float plane also comes with wheels and skis.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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This 2007 Schweizer Is a Classic, Rotor-Wing ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft-for-sale-top-picks/this-2007-schweizer-is-a-classic-rotor-wing-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:42:03 +0000 /?p=211616 A popular helicopter for many uses, the Schweizer 300 remains a staple of vertical flight more than 60 years after its introduction.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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Employer Profile: Solairus Aviation https://www.flyingmag.com/careers/employer-profile-solairus-aviation/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 20:16:42 +0000 /?p=211595 The aviation services company helps owners manage and operate their aircraft safely, reliably, and economically.

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Solairus Aviation is an aviation services company that helps owners manage and operate their aircraft safely, reliably, and economically. It also offers charter services that use its managed fleet to meet customer needs.

Founded in 2009, Solairus boasts 75-plus base locations, 330-plus private aircraft, and about 2,00 flight crew and support personnel. The company is headquartered in Petaluma, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Solairus Aviation Mission Statement

“We never settle for even very high levels of customer satisfaction and we’re always looking for better ways to do our business.” —Greg Petersen, chief operating officer

Solarius Aviation in the News

Solairus Aviation Announces Updates to Executive Leadership Team
Company appoints Brent Monroe as chief growth officer and promotes Bob Marinace to chief experience officer.

Solairus Aviation Announces Chad Davidson Business Aviation Leadership Scholarship Fund
The fund honors late aviator and Solairus team member Chad Davidson in support of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students.

Solairus Aviation Openings on FindaPilot.com

More Solairus Aviation Resources:

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This 1984 SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon Is a Military-Spec ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/this-1984-socata-tb-30-epsilon-is-a-military-spec-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:32:53 +0000 /?p=211556 SOCATA’s TB-30 Epsilon was designed as a military trainer based on the company’s four-place GA piston singles.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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This 1977 American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon Is an Entry-Level Aerobatic ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft-for-sale-top-picks/this-1977-american-champion-8kcab-super-decathlon-is-an-entry-level-aerobatic-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:52:16 +0000 /?p=211510 Based on the modest Bellanca Citabria, this taildragger is fortified against the stress of aerobatics.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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This 2020 Cirrus SR22T Is a Standard-Setting ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/this-2020-cirrus-sr22t-is-a-standard-setting-aircraftforsale-top-pick/ Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:15:49 +0000 /?p=211321 The Cirrus SR22T shares many airframe, panel, and cabin features with the latest model without pacing potential buyers onto waiting lists.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

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.

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