It has cabin-class comfort and pleasant handling, but stay ahead of maintenance and plan for engine swaps.

Insured hull value I am in the process of renewing the insurance for my 1968 Cessna 182. I previously had $95,000 hull insurance, since that was about what I thought I could sell it for. Early this year I put the plane on the market at $105,000, and then steadily dropped the price until I […]

It was another lean year for new product introductions at the big show at Oshkosh. Unleaded avgas and engine tech were among the talking points.

The familiar PA-28R is a well-supported
The familiar PA-28R is a well-supported step-up retrac. Turbocharged models make efficient travelers with potentially more upkeep.

The FAA says the task is fair game for aircraft owners, but there are installation traps that can have nasty consequences.

As the month of June was winding down, Cirrus Aircraft became the most recent party to snub GAMI’s FAA-approved 100LL high-octane unleaded fuel replacement, G100UL. On the 18th of the month, it issued its Service Advisory SA24-14, which said that Cirrus did not approve the use of G100UL in its aircraft, that its material compatibility […]

It’s in Aviation Consumer’s DNA to inspire pilots to fly—and to attract new aviators to the skies. And what compels most prospective pilots to start lessons, or keep flying? A special airplane. We know because we’re built that way too. That’s why we’re pleased to announce the 2025 Ultimate FLYING Giveaway. The grand prize winner […]

The better Bonanzas In the Beech 36-series Bonanza Used Aircraft Guide report in the July 2024 Aviation Consumer, there was a minor error when saying the 1984 model year brought the Continental IO-520 to the Bonanza 36. I know you know that the engine was the Continental IO-550. But also unmentioned in the same paragraph […]

A familiar standard with solid build quality, sturdy handling and a passenger-friendly cabin.

Sealing oil leaks that seep from an engine through-stud can be a challenge. But taming the heat buildup behind a tightly packed instrument panel is easy.

They over-spin, over-temp and sometimes ingest things they aren’t supposed to, but heat management and inspection are keys to longevity.

Older planes take lots of creative work, and in aviation lingo that translates to dollars and time in finding parts, plus labor for upkeep, etc.