12 Most Efficient Four Seat Airplanes

Since fuel consumption is a significant portion of an airplane operating costs, the aviation industry has continually been striving to improve aircraft fuel efficiency. We are not talking about four-seat airplanes with the lowest fuel consumption. The fuel economy of an aircraft is a measure of how much fuel an aircraft needs to operate in relation to the service provided. For example, a four-seat plane that burns 20 gallons per hour, and cruises at 300 miles per hour, with 1500 pounds useful load is far more efficient than a plane that burns only 8 gallons and 200 miles per hour cruise with 500 pounds useful load. Now that you have an idea of what efficiency means in aviation, you can get into the video.
Please let us know your favorite airplane in the comment section.
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[@delschier1419]

My Cozy IV 4 seat canard cruises at 200 mph and uses 6.5 GPH at that speed. It has 1400 mi range with reserve with 675 pounds of passengers. A Cozy IV can be purchased used under $74K.

[@justtwoseats]

Yeah, he missed a lot of interesting planes. Probably why it has such a high dislike to like ratio.

[@AzjaVhera]

@@justtwoseats wishing you could still see the like/dislike ratio smh

[@snotrod33]

@@AzjaVhera I agree. Unfortunately we now live in a time where people are extremely sensitive and can't even bear the lightest of constructive criticism. Thanks to social media, we have created a whole new breed of offended culture.

[@brighambaker3381]

The Cozy Mk IV is my top choice right now, as I'm planning to build at some point.

[@sethenock8478]

Can you train me on how to pilot a plane?

[@AClark-gs5gl]

Thoroughly enjoyed your informative video. Keep up the great work!

[@Dave-hc6pp]

I’m 6’5” and 305 lbs. I take up the useful load on most 4 seaters.

[@jairo7997]

Thanks mate very good information.

[@MrJohnsonx3]

New drinking game, everytime dude says, " with AV gas costing about $6/gallon" take a drink.

[@fischautotechgarten2632]

'typically costing' ... you weren't paying attention... ;p

[@johnwoodruff7207]

We fly the da40 ng with the jet A engine and it burns 6.6 gal hr and flys smooth.

[@DirtyLilHobo]

Just because an aircraft has four seats does not mean those seats can be occupied. Passenger occupancy depends upon many factors such as individual passenger weight, fuel load, baggage or cargo load, center of gravity limits, aircraft performance, density altitude, runway length, obstacle clearance demands.. I’ve seen many an accident wherein a pilot successfully departed a low altitude airport near sea level, flew to a high altitude airport at midday, refueled then crashed on takeoff due to reduced aircraft performance and density altitude being well above the airport elevation.

[@vagabondwheels3002]

Just curious why the Velocity XL-RG didn't make the list - everything I've read about it suggests it would be competitive with these. Maybe not but just curious why then. The plane Mojo Grip is building too. It' s a Sling four seater and seems both fast and efficient too. Just curious what kept these two off the list.

[@peteranninos2506]

Cardinal RG has 1036 useful load, 48" shoulder room, stretch out room in the back seat, enormous doors and I cruise at about 150mph at 8gph. With full tanks (and 3 people) I can manage around 900 miles at economy cruise.

[@johnwhitehead5457]

A 172 is a Skyhawk not a Skylane. The Skylane in a 182.

[@theentirenationofsweden7901]

"Can hold people 6' tall" *_Cries in 6'5"_*

[@danielhasson6985]

Great video

[@nightflyer40]

Great vid those planes are real beauties.

[@SummitSecrets]

How much is Av-gas again? Not sure if you mentioned it in the video...

[@Ebbyman413]

I'm a bit surprised that the Sling TSI isn't on this list!

[@MultiGrumman]

Очень хороший анализ и сравнение:). Спасибо за видео. Успехов и удачи:).

[@marcpasquini1029]

The cost of a new Cessna 172 SP is closer to $500,000.00

[@user-og3fb6ui2e]

thats why we buy it for 50k )

[@djatnikasaleh2218]

The review is good but would be better if you put a grafik (fuel consumption, range, load, speed and price) at the end & the viewers get well informed.

[@Il_Biondo]

Can you please put the figures in knots and nm?

[@thisismagacountry1318]

He's not a true aviator. He's a KZbin noob.

[@ssn608]

WILDLY out of date. Prices are very much higher than stated. Panthera is ONLY available as gas engine, and not available as a kit.

[@gerardandrew4820]

i am sorry, but how much did avgas cost? i think i missed the 300 times you mentioned it!

[@rodelc644]

Lol. 6 dollars per gallon

[@nevim007]

@@rodelc644 Can you repeat that please

[@razeel2000]

@@nevim007 He said "6", I think. I might be wrong, though.

[@daviddeans]

No you were right $6 per gallon is that us or imperial gallon

[@phl.333]

Cool! Btw. you can fly the Tecnam 2006 with regular gas! ;)

[@kr1pton1ck]

and it doesnt cost $6 per gallon. haha

[@DheerajBhaskar]

Guys, how much does avgas typically cost? I think the video wasn't clear on this

[@michaelmignone5869]

How much does avgas cost per gallon? Don't think that was mentioned

[@michaelmccotter4293]

Velocity XL 230 mphcruise 240+mph top speed 1300 nm range 1100 lb useful load 1500ft to 1900ft per min climb

[@AviationWP]

One of the efficiencies not incorporated here is the original purchase price which is largely inefficient averaging close to half a million USD for these airplanes.

[@egreens8512]

Why no prices for Mooney Acclaim and cost approx for Lance Air, or Panthera thank you.

[@jeffherndon]

Mooney is not making planes anymore. They laid off everyone 1/6/2020. They have been taken over by a LLC group of aviation buffs and are trying to do a few things to improve existing planes.

[@keith77mn77]

Maybe because their planes cost the better part of one million dollars new.

[@eclectichoosier5474]

If you have to ask what it costs, you can't afford it.

[@user-og3fb6ui2e]

very strange criteria - personal aircraft have to be safe first of all, then safe in all stages of flight, then safe if the pilot make mistakes, then safe in case of failures & only then efficient - no ?)

[@damianketcham]

The Cozy IV easily fits into this category.

[@ick79]

or even a Velocity. I started to list the planes that would fit into this... and lol every model they have does!!

[@robertblaney5033]

After watching this video, I couldn’t quite remember the price of avgas. Was that around $6 a gallon ?? 😂

[@speckyferns6780]

You may have to watch the ENTIRE video to get this information - buried somewhere in the ramblings

[@frankanderson4176]

What a riot! He only said the price about a zillion times.

[@daveriley6310]

5:04 I wouldn't put the word "just" prior to saying $450,000. At least not on this planet.

[@thealteredstate4203]

airplanes are for rich people tho lol

[@thealteredstate4203]

@Ken Kaneki true.. there is also the fuel cost tho that stuff is pretty expensive I think

[@exit5398]

@@thealteredstate4203 price per unit(in my country, we use gallons) is only about double that of your car, so really not all that awful, it's the volume that will get you.

[@abrutus1]

Just landed at cleveland the other day in a turbo cessna 207. I parked at the fbo and when it came time to pay, the young lady wanting to confirm my bill told me, the airplane you are flying is “just a cessna” right? With an inocent pronunciation likely unaware that the “just a tiny cessna” probably costs more than her house. I smiled and replied, yes, im a humble pilot of “just a cessna” 😄

[@leeharrison3276]

How much does av gas cost?

[@jonathanlanius8648]

Piper Comanche 250. Great safety record 11 gph 1000 mile range (90 gallon version) 180 kts. great airplane.

[@33timbo]

I'm all about comanches being a Comanche owner myself but in what world are you seeing 180knots out of a 250? Vne is 202mph and 180knots is 207mph so that's just unrealistic

[@jonathanlanius8648]

@@33timbo typo 180 mph.

[@charliebowman785]

I consider this line up missing Piper Dakota, Arrow, Archer and of course, The Cherokee.

[@tomnagel5634]

Charlie, you are correct! But many think the plastic planes are better. We'll see in 25 years. I'm thinking those Clorox bottles will all be scrap.

[@EricRyanSound]

DA40, SR22T, Panthera

[@Khoop]

I only have one question: How much is avgas per gallon, generally?

[@scarybaldguy]

It varies wildly. At my home field (DVT), last time I filled up a week ago it was $4.84 for 100LL. You can pay less than $4 or more than $10. It all depends on a lot of factors.

[@speckyferns6780]

You may have to contact several suppliers and determine, this video certainly does not cover this.

[@SooperKewl]

I think it’s about $6/gal. 😂

[@mehmetvural8095]

please detail and price.

[@angusmclennan8747]

when I changed from a c182 to a 210 my fuel used dropped per trip. When I sold my c172 for 260 comanche same journeyfuel went up 15l for a 400nm trip, and time burnt off the engine and prop was 65% of the 172. Work it out!!

[@jimydoolittle3129]

RV10 the best of all ✈️❤️

[@stephenj.p.ingley4033]

Sorry Jimmy but a low wing bird is a non starter for those of us with shoulder issues. Lord knows I've tried....

[@jimydoolittle3129]

@@stephenj.p.ingley4033 you’re absolutely right , the only thing that you can do is easy on the GYM 💪 🤣 best wishes on your training ✈️

[@jordanelkins9801]

What was the average cost of avgas again?

[@Dwaynesaviation]

$6/per gallon 😂😂

[@davidennis7241]

In line with your introduction about the proper definition of "efficiency", should you not be estimating miles per gallon rather than gallons per hour?

[@wasatchm]

I would think any 4 seat aircraft that has a rotax 914 or 915 engine would easily be the most fuel efficient. are there any out there? I think the sling 4 seat can come with a rotax 915 doesn't it? haven't heard of any other 4 seaters than come with a rotax 914 or 915.

[@nichooo6423]

The sling tsi uses the Rotax 915, it is very fuel efficent but you get less speed and less horsepower (compared to the planes in the video). It is still a great engine and many light sport aircraft/2 seater uses this engine

[@christianjforbes]

I don’t find the 915 to be very efficient. It’s lighter, but that’s bout it. At its 75% cruise it’s only delivering 105hp at no better fuel burn than a Lyc. running at similar output. I’ve tried to find real world data that pilots see in cruise. You’ll notice it’s difficult to find. Best I’ve seen is 7.8ghp for the Rotax. A 150hp Lyc at 2,500rpm seems to consume about 7gph on average (from the fuel sheets going back 6 months at the FBO I was flying out of, so it’s what we really saw).

[@andrewsampson9952]

The Risen 915 is an amazing aeroplane - I hope they make a 4 seat version with a new Rotax 916

[@poianaminore]

Tecnam forever!!

[@Dhrruvv]

Daimonds are the best 👍

[@cesarquintana9034]

172XP K model. The best.

[@fly4fun07]

To be of true efficient value, you need to compare miles per gallon!

[@bruceleealmighty]

Aircraft typically rate at knots or nautical miles and use hours because calculations are different in the air. Having said that, this could have been presented much better and much more thoroughly.

[@fly4fun07]

@@bruceleealmighty “because calculations are different in the air” ...laws of physics are consistent. NM per gallon flown in a no wind environment is the only way to measure efficiency.

[@bruceleealmighty]

@@fly4fun07 Since most sights tend to avoid giving actual NMPG and typically try to bury the real info in statistics it's only the occasional aircraft like the Pipistrel Panthera that translates directly with 230mph @ 10gal = 23mpg really not that hard, but again, it could have been done more thoroughly.

[@raksan4083]

I have wondered why Aircraft never seem to have Pet Crates or space for them in a cabin.Many families have pets they want to take with them.

[@richardwitzel1526]

My poodle loves to go for rides in the car. However I think he would have a heart attack in a plane before I even start the engine.

[@FamilyManMoving]

Because all the people who fly with pets sit next to me on Southwest. That's why.

[@pilotguy]

Where is the Sling Tsi?

[@ibgarrett]

I literally came back here to make the same comment. I start building mine in a little over a month...

[@YourFriendlyGApilot]

Same here!!!

[@apoloromero356]

And the velocity XL

[@YourFriendlyGApilot]

@@apoloromero356 I've always wanted to take it for a spin :-p

[@apoloromero356]

@@YourFriendlyGApilot yeah seems like a really good aircraft. Fuel efficient, fast, 4 seater and omg the price is the best part. Also I guess they are really good at stall control, I mean they do not stall. For sure every pilot or human dream plane it is very complete. But unfortunately some people do not like to much the canard. I personally love it, but have never try one.

[@PatPrice123]

Early Cessna 172s (in the $30k range) are barely faster than a Cessna 150 and other generalizations and inaccuracies, IMO

[@Araye]

skylane is a 182... skyhawk is a 172

[@elitrejonegron3495]

Range ???

[@davidgolden6068]

Your exclusion of canard aircraft means most of these aircraft arent in the actual top 12

[@gregorybrown4062]

IDC about four seaters. I need a six seater 😢

[@michaelclark7602]

Where is the Velicity?

[@arcticlion7794]

Can you re do the same Video with international Data: km/h. Liter Kg etc... only Americans use stoneage measurements like gallons miles and so forth

[@iotolaofrocknrolla2795]

It's because we created and built everything so we'll use whatever g*d d*mn measurement we want to. If it wasn't for the US, Europe would have burned 70 years ago so be quiet.

[@fowyb]

Soooo... the Lancair Evolution doesn't burn any avgas huh? Thats pretty efficient...

[@skycop56]

SR 22 s pushing a million bucks!

[@humbertomonteiro6742]

Diamonds, Diamonds are the besttttttttttt

[@richardperry21]

don't understand your math? @ 8 gph you can go 2.5 x longer than 20gph. The a/c burning 20gph goes 300 miles. A/C burning 8gph @200mph can go 500 miles on the same fuel. A/C burning 20gph can only go 300 miles.

[@brettcyr7426]

I don't know anything about airplanes to say if this is a valid assumption or not, but he is assuming a linear relationship between weight and fuel consumption and calculating miles by pound useful load per gallon. So, based on his assumption (someone who knows about planes can speak to it's validity), the first plane gets 22,500 miles-pounds per gallon and the second plane gets 12,500 miles-pounds per gallon.

[@mehmetvural8095]

have a nice day. max speed. 275-300 mph. range 2000 mph. Two-seater plane for $200,000. A 4-seater plane for $300,000. Can I have it done to you or others? please provide information. thanks.

[@officiallilel889]

I don't know why I'm here I don't even have my license

[@ValiantPride]

not yet buddy, one day

[@JohnSmith-nh9pm]

for the dream mate, u gotta dream before realising it xp

[@officiallilel889]

@@ValiantPride thank you very much

[@officiallilel889]

@@JohnSmith-nh9pm I hope you will too

[@JohnSmith-nh9pm]

@@officiallilel889 Well, I'v got the licence now but looking foward to my new dream of affording one

[@nimrodsmusic]

You have a voice meant for silent movies

[@timkern462]

Aside from the pricing and costs which change), this video is full of errors. Foe example, you can't load a 172 with four FAA adults and full tanks, and it wasn't introduced in 1952. The Tecnam's Rotax engines burn non-Ethanol unleaded gas, not avgas. The prices, again, need to be checked by anyone using this video as a guide.

[@iotolaofrocknrolla2795]

Great video thanks. Don't listen to all the euro trash and wanna be pilots on here. It's fine to use mph and Gallons.

[@markhindle4472]

Surprised you did not include the Navion out of production.. since 1972 . these have been altered to get to 220 mph and use about 17 gallons an hour. You may find one for about 12k not flying or less than 100k totally tricked out.

[@AClark-gs5gl]

Currently working on a viable EDFJ/ELECTRIC DUCTED FAN JET that will incorporate a Tesla Turbine. A monumental task, but will achieve. Maximum efficiency... extremely vital. No... not an original idea. Twin EDFJs to be tested on a modufied Rutan Long-EZ. We hope to work with Tecnam and a modified/lighter in weight, P-2006.

[@sircrapalot9954]

Explain how EDFs are more efficient than a prop at low altitudes and airspeeds? Also how does a Tesla Turbine in particular provide anything of benefit in this sort of application?

[@alexdarcydestsimon3767]

Aviators around the World have an agreement on using knots. Why do you go for f...g mph ? Means nothing outside british countries. Then use only legal measurements : Kmph and celcius degrees. :-)

[@JohnBaileyDarke]

The Panthera is not in production nor has it received FAA certification. Do your homework.

[@larseriksson1184]

Why bother converting between knots and mph ? Maybe some planes fly in mph and some only in knots.

[@itubesify]

Because knots an nautical miles are those units which are commonly used in civil aviation (I don’t know for sure about military aviation, but I suggest it’s the same here); although ICAO recommends using kilometers and kilometers per hour.

[@meier259]

Only 450,000$ no biggie..

[@golffit3066]

People that spend upwards of $500,000 don't give a rats ass about burn rate! Mine burns 13.6 gph and I couldn't care less

[@peterwilhelmsson4168]

Who in the market to purchase an airplane uses mph and miles? It's knots and nautical miles!

[@stoneyislandranch9783]

Not everyone can afford an airplane .. some people are just enthusiast.. and appreciate the conversions.. it's the pilots who know how to convert the numbers because we use them.. don't be a turd

[@iotolaofrocknrolla2795]

It's nautical miles and knots if you're a pretentious Dbag.

[@jppalm3944]

Prices for new, way off. Much much higher

[@misa7598]

1900th like

[@markcampbell7577]

The lowest fuel consumption for an airplane would be an edison generator electric power with high torque electric motor. This is unlimited flight. No fuel.

[@sircrapalot9954]

Lol “unlimited flight?” What are you smoking?

[@fowyb]

Gonna need a VERY long power lead...😂

[@officiallilel889]

I'm only 14 can you do one that teenagers can fly

[@nichooo6423]

probably ultra light aircraft

[@muhammadsteinberg]

You are not going to get 4 adults with full fuel and travel 900 miles in a 172. Total nonsense. You're doing good if you can squeeze out 600-700 miles. If I fill up I got approx 500lbs left for myself and whatever. Thats normal category. If I fly utility it's 200lbs. But I'd never fill tanks if I intentionally plan on utility flying.

[@brianfoster769]

You position is skewed. Only true if want to haul that load

[@samueldormervil]

How much? Four hundred and fifty thousand dawers

[@Dwaynesaviation]

😂😂😂😂

[@samueldormervil]

@@Dwaynesaviation love your videos

[@engelcrona]

Ok...i gotta know where the narrator is from? That accent and pronounciation is inscrutable.

[@donnborden1423]

"Miles-per-hour" has no place in aviation.

[@speedomars]

Your list is a mess. TTX, Evolution, and Mooney are no longer made. The Panthera is not certified and is a retractable with an anemic speed. The top are all Cirrus. SR20, SR22 and SR22T and the sales numbers prove it. The SR22T cruises at 200ktas at 18gph.

[@speedomars]

@Biggus Dickus The DA42 is superseded by the DA62, both twins, Astro diesel (Jet-A), retractable, nice planes, but pricey. The Tecnam P2006T is also a twin but with Rotax 912 engines...overpriced, under-powered, low quality. The Quest Kodiak, Cessna Caravan and Pilatus Turbo Porter are in the same class. The Porter is older but an astounding aircraft (even if you get one used). The Quest is smaller and carries less but only has a 700 foot runway need. The Caravan is the big boy in this class. The Pilatus PC-12 is a monster aircraft...it does carry a lot of cargo, but it also seats 10...it is really a small charter, commuter or business turbo-prob like the TBM.

[@gringoloco8576]

Mooney is still in production. The factory has been reopened. I got parts for my Mooney from them this week.

[@speedomars]

@@gringoloco8576 Mooney cut production staff to the bare minimum to make your parts. But they are not selling planes.

[@skipdreadman8765]

Make your own list. This one is his. 🙄

[@jerryclemens4880]

Bonanza

[@Double835]

These numbers are laughable!!!!

[@Dwaynesaviation]

What numbers?

[@Double835]

@@Dwaynesaviation cessna 172 useful load and purchase prices!!!

[@Dwaynesaviation]

Exact price depends on the option you chose.. You can reach out with the sales representative nearest to you for exact prices, the prices in our video are the list Price.

[@Double835]

@@Dwaynesaviation I'm talking about useful load, amount of people, fuel and range. I fly these everyday btw. You cannot put full fuel and more than 3 people without bags

[@fireball676]

@@Dwaynesaviation i wouldnt get in a 172 with more than 2 other people. Engines vary on maintenance too. They dont have the power to get you out of a bad situation. I honestly dont like flying them if i can avoid it. Super slow, not fuel efficient at those speeds.

[@captainpegs0740]

What is the accent?

[@ABC-rh7zc]

I'm getting tired of these compilation video with zero new content and fake voiceovers.

[@ralphhubbell]

Stop with the computer voice overs. They are tremendously annoying!

[@Dwaynesaviation]

It's human voice... Not computer

[@ralphhubbell]

@@Dwaynesaviation Lol! Great imitation!

[@cellokid5104]

The fact that you put a cirrus on here, shows that this video about "efficiency" is worth nothing

[@johnyoungs7453]

How about leave out these "$500K-$1mil" airplanes?? Who the fuck can afford these things..?? Get real..!!

[@globalroamer1900]

I love watching Censortube

[@mattivirta]

i not understand why some seller lie and scame customer lot, same plane size same materials same engine one cost 100 000 $ and totally same copy plane cost 500 000 $ totally stupid pay 500 000 same size plane.

[@michaelbruton2979]

The opening comments blew the credibility for this video......a plane that burns 20 gallons per hour at 300 mph is not more efficient than a plane that burns 8 gallons per hour at 200mph. WTH? The first one burns 40 gallons in 600 miles and the second one burns 24 gallons in 600 miles. If you are going to make videos about aviation, own a calculator. Much of aviation requires math. It takes an hour longer on a 600 mile trip however the slower plane is more efficient.

[@Dwaynesaviation]

Useful load is also factored in... Not just fuel burn and speed... But I think you only copied that part that'll make it okay to come troll me in comment section... I don't think it's nice...

[@Capt483]

anything costing more than 150k is priced to fail. these machines are Toy. The maker just pretend to forget this during pricing. for business, there are businesses jet.

[@rileyswing9731]

But.. we put perform all of these platforms. No respect for the canards 😔

[@wanderleyapparecidovieira2282]

For god sake,ashame on you Money, ancient throttle system ,push pull rod? Spent a little engineering time to actualize it !

[@superwag634]

whats that voice all about? made me turn off your show

[@jasonweiss2773]

The Tecnam 2006t has a great power to weight ratio? If you say so. .07hp per pound. (According to Wikipedia) that is abysmal.

[@coffee838]

ONLY HALF A MIL LOOK HOW AFFORDABLE lol, brain damage

[@bobby061202]

How much is av gas?

[@nichooo6423]

i think he said $6 dollar per gallon

[@jared123123]

^ strong feeling the op of this section was making a crack at him saying the same at gas price of $6 Every two minutes. Nice video but probably could of shaved 5 minutes off by just saying at the start “this will be all based on av gas being $6/ gallon and skipping that part after.

[@nichooo6423]

@@jared123123 yeah true actually