Search Results for: insurance

[IMGCAP(1)]Just as in the car industry, if the notion of sure-thing profit exists in the world of general aviation, its in high-dollar airframes, not entry level two-place designs. Thats one reason why new trainer production came to a standstill during the 1980s and 1990s and why the volume in this market continues to be low.

But it wasnt always that way. In the heyday of GA, every major manufacturer-even the staid and upper crust Beechcraft-had a trainer. Some money could be made, of course, but a driving market force was the perception that entry level pilots developed brand loyalty and would step up from a basic trainer, to a retrac to a twin, all from the same manufacturer.

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Lake AD
I can sympathize with Lake Aircraft in the dilemma you reported on in your May 2002 issue. I can only imagine the amount of money invested in the parts inventory.

But it occurs to me that no matter how long it took to raise its ugly head, this problem appears to be caused by a deficiency in the design. If so, that is a Lake problem.

It also occurs to me that accepting the FAAs terms of the AD and agreeing to purchase all the required inventory was a bad management decision. Lake should have negotiated a better agreement on the AD.

Expecting the owners of these aircraft to pay the exorbitant costs of the parts is not realistic. If Airtech Canada can make a pr…

Aviation Consumers trusty Mooney ends its days in a swamp after an engine failure. And no one knows why.

If a new airplane is a must, OurPLANE and AirShares deserve a look. But put a sharp pencil on the numbers.

Cirrus Cruise
I enjoyed reading your article comparing the Ovation, SR22 and Columbia airplanes in the May issue of Aviation Consumer. I have owned a Cirrus SR22 for seven months and 180 hours and can state categorically that you have underestimated themodels cruise speed.

I usually cruise between 8000 and 11,000 feet and I have never seenthe 165 KTAS cruise you cite in your article. In contrast, I typically see 182 KTAS when operating ROP and burning 17 GPH or 173 KTAS when LOP at 13 GPH.To save fuel and reduce stress on the engine, I favor LOP operation in cruise.

My typical IFR trip between San Francisco and Orange Countytakes 2 hours and consumes 29 to 30…

We see a comparable safety record but watch fuel management in Comanches and engine burps in Mooneys and Commanders.

If you can afford the gas and hack the maintenance, the Twin Beech will haul a ton, literally. For pure panache, its unbeatable.

Eclipse may be the newest personal jet, but William Lear pioneered the idea. Heres what Lear Jr. thinks of the new breed.

Four top-rated shops tell us brother-in-law advice on what to look for in engine overhauls.

This group of six airplanes posts a similar safety record but engine failures among Mooneys and Commanders are a concern.

If you encounter significant corrosion during an annual or pre-buy, fixing it may be an option.

If price alone drives the buying equation, heres our survey of the absolute best values in five categories of used airplanes.