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Owner Stories Evan Green (left) uses his Liberty XL2 mostly for business travel, while Dr. Peter Spennato (right) flies his Mooney Ovation primarily for personal trips. Cessna 172 Corporate pilot David Lawson of Van Nuys, Calif., purchased a Skyhawk a few years back for all the reasons that most pilots appreciate Skyhawks. Lawson flies Magic Johnson’s Gulfstream G3 for a living, and the Skyhawk is the latest of several personal airplanes he has owned for fun. “It’s an extremely easy airplane to fly, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a Skyhawk’s talents,” says Lawson. “I’ve owned several airplanes before this one—152s and Barons—and the Skyhawk is probably the best buy and the most capable of them all.” The Gulfstream pilot says everyone in his family is a pilot—wife, son and daughter—and all appreciate the Skyhawk’s gentle flight charact

We examine some of the best buys In general aviation By Bill Cox Liberty XL2 16 LIBERTY XL2: The two-seat Liberty XL2’s primary claim to fame is that it was one of the first airplanes to embrace FADEC (full authority digital engine control). The Liberty employs a computer-controlled, 125 hp Continental IOF-240-B that manages all parameters of engine management automatically. An obvious benefit of computer control is efficiency, and the XL2 scores about 5.3 gph at 60% power. Liberty sells the airplane as a trainer or personal transport, and it’s a comfortable machine in either mode, with a 48-inch-wide cabin. Cruise is 125 knots at max throttle and 7,000 feet. If you have a budget of $200,000, you should be able to buy a used XL2 Vanguard from as late as 2008 to 2009. Improvements To The Breed Perhaps contrary to popular belief, several of the airplanes in this article have experienced changes in the l

Diamond DA40 10 DIAMOND DA40 STAR: An outgrowth of the two-seat Diamond Eclipse, the Star is the Austrian company’s current four-seat, everyman’s single. In addition to joystick control and an ultimately maneuverable, nonsteerable nosewheel, the Star has an aft left entry door for rear-seat passengers. Like the beloved Tiger, the Star delivers a 1,000 fpm climb rate and uncommon speed on only 180 hp, about 140 to 145 knots. The cabin is larger than the Tiger’s, however, and the Star will carry additional weight. Stars appeared on the market in 2000, and airplanes through 2007 have price tags below $200,000. Mooney Ovation 11 MOONEY OVATION M20R: Mooneys of every description always have been renowned for their speed and efficiency. The Ovation represents perhaps the supreme compromise of horsepower/fuel burn with cruise speed, meanwhile offering the long cabin of the Porsche Mooney, TLS/Bravo and Eagle. Yet, the Ovation flies faster than any other n

4 BEECH F33A BONANZA: The F33A was discontinued in 1994 (perhaps coincidentally, the same year Mooney introduced the Ovation). That doesn’t subtract a whit from the ultimate four-seat Bonanza’s talents, however. Certified in the utility class, the straight-tail airplane is stronger than most other machines. There even was an aerobatic model, the E33C, approved for most basic vertical and horizontal maneuvers. Bonanzas will outhandle most other machines in the class, offering uncommon control harmony and 170-knot speed. It also has the distinction of being what many pilots consider the best single-engine machine in the sky. Bonanzas from 1985 through 1994 generally sell for $200,000 or less. 5 BEECH A36 BONANZA: Add two seats to an F33A, and you’ll wind up with an A36, an airplane that’s currently in production as the G36 (“G” for Garmin). All the six-seat Bonanzas are regarded as top-end airplanes with performance roughly comparable to the aforementioned F33A. The right side aft

While our last buyer’s guide [“Buyer’s Mini-Guide To Four-Seat Singles,” P&P April 2010] included a smorgasbord of new airplanes, this one deals with used aircraft and draws from an even wider field. For this effort, we set a top price of $200,000. We could argue all day about whether $200,000 is “affordable,” but we feel that it’s a reasonable compromise—more than enough, but less than too much. Alternatively, two hundred large might buy you a decent timeshare in Aspen, an exotic sports car or a twin-engine cabin cruiser for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Because there are few new airplanes available for $200,000 or less (except for LSA), this list comprises what we feel are the best used buys on the market. To avoid including antiques, whose value often is more intrinsic than practical, we set an age limit of 25 years. That’s not because older models can’t be made to look and fly young, but because reliability could be compromised on flying machines suffering from the aviation

Who are you, and why are you writing this? I am a licensed private pilot, and I am writing this article as a guide for prospective pilots. I have enjoyed my flying very much, and want to encourage others to embark on the grand adventure of aviation. I began my flying in 1990, and since then, I have accumlated just over 700 hours of flying time. The most frequent measure of a pilot's experience is the number of "flying hours." he or she has accumulated. My 700 hours is still relatively low. For comparison, my instructor has over 4,000 flying hours. Many airline pilots have 20,000 hours or more. I want to fly airplanes. What do I need to do? To operate an aircraft in the United States, you must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which since 9/11 is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There are several levels of pilot's license; the most basic is the Private Pilot license. This license permits the holder to pilot an a

Horshoe Bay Resort planes Whether you want to ride in a Gulfstream, a Falcon or a Challenger, there are numerous options to get to Chicago-for the right price. And, the time has never been better to climb onboard this limo in the sky. Instructions Things You'll Need: $1,000+ A bottle of champagne Some free time and imagination Step 1 Jamie Cheng, Co-Founder, Senior VP of Operations & Finance and Chief Analyst of Halogen Guides-which publishes an interactive online directory of charter services--offers general advice for chartering a plane.He says that the first step is to know exactly what one's needs are. "How many passengers are flying with you? How much luggage will you be carrying? Will there be any pets? Space is at a premium aboard private planes and costs vary greatly according to what size plane you fly on," he says. Step 2

One of the most common types of airplanes in use today is the jet, which has largely replaced traditional aircraft powered by propellers. Although propeller planes are still used in some instances, jets dominate commercial and private air travel due to their greater speed, ability to fly at higher altitudes and mechanical reliability. General Airplane History While efforts toward powered flight date back to the earliest inventors, the first successful flight of a fixed-wing aircraft was performed famously by the Wright brothers in 1903. Their plane, known as the Wright Flyer I, was made of wood and used a gasoline engine to spin a pair of wooden propellers. Over the next several years, the Wright brothers continued to refine the design that would provide the basis for aircraft over the coming decades. World War I provided a major incentive for the design and construction of better airplanes. Planes were originally used purely for surveying the enemy's positions. This l

How to Fly on Small Regional Jets Instructions Things You'll Need: Faith that bigger is not always better. Carry-on items that fit beneath a seat. Preparing for Take-Off Step 1 Say goodbye to concerns about flights on "small" airliners. Today's new regional jets are anything but small. With up to 100 seats as wide as those in older, larger airplanes , modern jets are roomy and reliable. Step 2 Book your travel as you would normally: through your travel agent, on-line or using the toll-free numbers provided by the major carriers. Request flights with departure times and connections that use regional jets. Step 3 Know your departure and destination airports. Many major airlines will automatically book you on a regional service partner, depending on your route. When you have a choice of airports, select one served by regional jets. Conducting Y

Private jet travel can be exhilarating, relaxing and fun. If you have chosen to cut out the airline hassle and enjoy the benefits of private jet travel, you will need to find a skilled crew. Finding the right crew is just as important as finding the right aircraft and, once you have found your perfect match, you will be able to enjoy your travel stress free, with ease and confidence. Instructions Things You'll Need: Internet Access Financial Resources Travel with style and confidence in a private jet. Step 1 Determine your travel needs.Doing this will help you decide the type of jet aircraft you will be using and, consequently, the type of pilot(s) that you require. Evaluate your travel needs to determine whether you will be doing mostly domestic travel or mostly international or a combination of both. You must decide whether you need a crew that will be on call and ready for last minute trips or one t

While you couldn't make the argument that private jets are necessarily affordable for the majority of the public, they have become a little less a fantasy for a small percentage of people and small businesses. Private jet manufacturers have been working hard to make plane buying less the province of the ultra-rich and more accessible to the general public. Buying a private jet takes a lot of consideration and research and is not something to be undertaken without considering the ins and outs of plane ownership. If you're thinking about investing in a private jet, here's what you need to know and how to go about doing it. Instructions Things You'll Need: Computer Internet Pilot's license Step 1 Get your pilot's license. Getting licensed to fly small jets is not like running to the DMV. Learning to fly takes time and serious consideration, not to mention money. Look for accredited schools in you

moaksey, Flickr.com Creative Commons License As airlines begin charging higher and higher prices for all of the little things that use to be free, many passengers are starting to look for alternate methods of transportation. Many are finding that it works out well for them to just charter a private flight, particularly for those who are traveling in groups to a destination that is a short flight away. This new interest in chartering private jets has opened the door for many young entrepreneurs to start their own business of booking charter flights. If this has always been your dream, then there is really no time like the present to begin following that dream. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll know how to start a private jet charter business in no time. Instructions Things You'll Need: Business plan Starting capital Private jets Pilots and crew

  Adventurers, business travelers and families head to Quebec City for various reasons. The long history of Quebec's capital and the unique French-Canadian culture of this urban area are attractive for North American travelers. The average traveler with some time and money in her pockets can take charter jets to Quebec City from multiple points throughout the world. Instructions Things You'll Need: Travel itinerary Luggage Maps for Quebec City and eastern Canada Choose the Right Airport to Reach Quebec City by Charter Step 1 Access the greatest number of jet charters into Quebec City by using Jean Lesage International Airport as the end point of a trip. This airport sits six miles from the city center and handles major charters throughout Canada. Step 2 Venture into Quebec City by pontoon plane with a charter into Lac Saint Augustin Water Airport . Lac San Augustin services

How to Charter a Jet to Venice Charter air crafts are a luxury that many people can’t afford, but you may be surprised to know that chartering a private aircraft for a group of people, say for a family reunion or destination wedding can be relatively affordable. With the help of the internet and a few simple steps, you’ll find that chartering an aircraft doesn’t have to be a fantasy. Whether you’re traveling with 1 of 50, chartering a private plane can take the hassle and guesswork out of commercial air travel . Instructions Step 1 Figure out what size plane you need. Chartered air crafts typically come in three sizes and the hourly rate is dependent on the size. There are three common size classes, including small, medium and large jets. You jet size will be determined by the number of passengers you need to transport, so make sure you have an accurate head count of travelers in your group. Small jets typically seat between 5 and

    A private jet is not unreachable for the masses like it might have been in the old days. There are so many options and plans available that it might be more arduous researching the planes than it is to get one. More companies have come online, marketing to the traveler who does not want to be subject to the waits and delays or a normal flight . If you make a six-figure income, then a private jet may be in the making. Instructions Where to Begin With Private Jets Step 1 Do some research. Not all companies are alike, so you should do some research to find out about them. A rule might be to use a company that has been in business for more than five years to rule out the fly-by-night companies. You want to look at their history, their fleet and their programs. Step 2 Get quotes on Virgin Charter. They save you time from having to go to all the different companies if this is a one-time deal. The companies compete for your business and send you quotes