Top Single Engine Airplanes for the Money!

[@tkeforever4809]

A Mooney M20 pilot collided mid-air on the 45 downwind pattern to Palomar Airport (CRQ) with my CFI, Andreas Pelzer and his Commercial student in a Beechcraft Dutchess in late 2002. I regretfully ceased my Private Pilot training after delivering eulogies at 2 funerals. For the first time since, I recently went up in a beautiful Tiger, overcame my fear and am finishing out my ticket soon. I still miss Andreas terribly, but know he’s smiling down on me again and I’m so grateful to him for imparting his love of flying to me!

[@presleycosta4127]

wow CRQ is my home airport very sad

[@siliconiusantogramaphantis2122]

Is the Mooney safe then?

[@eksno]

@@siliconiusantogramaphantis2122 When it comes to midair collisions I don't think it matters what civilian plane you're in.

[@zendoc49]

a midair collision spoils the day is th quote on the all in my airforce flight briefing room

[@RaceMentally]

How does this even happen. Buy a lotto ticket

[@bigrich6750]

Useful load would be nice to include on your evals.

[@Breadstick182]

True

[@evanwindom3265]

Agreed. I loved my Hawk XP, but the useful load was the one thing that was disappointing.

[@dylanrudney8629]

Would be interested to see this list for single engine 6 seaters

[@drey8696]

Wouldn’t be hard to do as popular choices are limited. Here is a stab off the top of my head. roomiest: PA46, PA32 fastest: PA46, A36/210 cheapest: PA32 260 Range: PA46, 210/A36 most rugged: 206 most payload: PA32 Best handling: A36 Lots of variants here (retracts, turbos, pressurized). PA46 is a newer design and typically much more expensive.

[@MikeKobb]

Great idea for a video! Another factor that's worth considering is the useful load. A plane might be inexpensive, quick, and economical, but if it can't carry what you need to carry, it just doesn't matter. That's one thing that's great about the 182 -- it's such a hauler.

[@geoffgelow4241]

Bobby, you may want to check this video out at the 4:30 minute mark. I suspect something went wrong.

[@evanwindom3265]

I used to own a '76 Cessna Hawk XP II. Basically, a 172 with a six cylinder engine and 210hp. It's not a racecar because you're still dragging a Cessna airframe around, but I bought it because of its very predictable characteristics, good climb performance, and great visibility. I was doing T&Gs one day, and the tower controller asked me to identify my aircraft type. Apparently, 172s aren't supposed to be able to climb like that. (I won't tell if you don't.) I've been heavily involved in SAR, where low wing aircraft just aren't the best option. The extra horsepower and polite low speed characteristics were well suited to the work. I miss my XP.

[@robertweekley5926]

I couldn't Get a C-182 a few times, and used the C-172XP as a close Replacement! Agree- it's a Great Performer as Cessna's Go, less fuel burn than the Continental O-470, and nice Injected Engine, too! Good Prep for the C-182RG!

[@evanwindom3265]

@@robertweekley5926 Yep. It was also lighter and felt more nimble than the Skylane. I miss my Hawk.

[@chriskeller3705]

I am starting the process of getting my gen aviation. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to afford my own plane instead of using the flight school’s. The Super Viking would be my top choice right now!

[@beauguidry2307]

Love it! Mooney Ovation owner here, love love love those planes!

[@ShuRugal]

1964 M20C $39,500 43.5" cabin width 145 KTAS @ 10k' MSL 65% cruise - 8-9 GPH 900 mile range at that cruise setting 950 lb useful load (630 lbs with full fuel and oil) hilariously economical for a type-certificated airplane. I love mine.

[@evanwindom3265]

One would think that the flight characteristics would be something you'd care about when rating aircraft. There's a reason, for example, that so many choose 172s for flight training. They're really well mannered.

[@terrycarraway4095]

Interesting, but I did my Private, and a good bit of flying after, in a Grumman Tiger. I would plan on 132 knots cruise speed and typically beat that. With the Sensenich prop STC the cruise speed is up around 140 knots.

[@Dbro172]

Totally agree with this assessment, especially #1 and #2, the Viking and Mooney. (Having flown all of these planes and owned a Mooney, 182, Vans RV-9A and currently a Super Viking). Super Viking is a special machine; i am in love.

[@JessicaTidd]

Also check out the Bellanca Cruisair Senior... under 30k complex, and if you have the larger engine (185 hp Lycoming like the older Bonanzas o435c), TAS is 165 mph (143kts) and it takes off in under 600’. I have a 1947 14-13-2. Great bird!! I just bought a second one to restore with the Franklin engine.

[@digitalpilot6854]

Why is the bellanca section blurred?

[@HarryPotter047]

Porn from Japan

[@ElectroAtletico]

overflying Area 51

[@ChewyToeNails]

I used technology to unveil the hidden image section of this video and found nothing really interesting whatsoever. It was just a misplaced clip the dude here had mistakenly inserted showing some grey aliens sitting in a room with bigfoot, and the loch ness. Each were just chilling watching their own videos. The grey's were laughing at archived footage of the military standing in the middle of nowhere roswell nm scratching their heads, loch ness was watching shark week on discovery, and bigfoot was watching swedish screaming goat porn imported from an antarctic substation fetish company that specializes in fainting goat comedies. Like I said nothing really intriguing to get worked up about.

[@2livenoob]

Copywrite footage

[@countersteer713]

Didn't watch the final video before posting

[@discovertree55]

I think you missed the boat excluding the Socata TB 20. I own a 1989 with IO 540, cruises at 151kt and over 700NM range. Great useful load not to mention trailing link landing gear makes for extremely smooth landings! The TB20 Trinidad sips fuel and is unbelievably comfortable. Great value from purchase and operating cost perspective. Love to take you for a ride in this unbelievably under rated plane.

[@olliedude8]

Where are you guys shopping for planes? I need to know. Looking for one but am very new to the scene

[@walterfink9782]

When I took my flying lessons, in the late 70's to early 80's, I was traveling for a living, hence longer lesson times and dates. I only flew, Piper aircraft. Cherokee 140, 150, 180 plus the Dakota II. I miss those days.

[@pirateracer69]

Very interesting list. New comers to aviation need videos like that. I would not include but definitively talk about the world of home built aircraft to them. Thank you M. White

[@chriscusick3273]

I agree with this list. I don't agree with much either. I own Mooney M20a, Bellanca 260b, Bonanza and wish I had a Comanche 250. Excellent comparison process here.

[@kenjohnson6137]

Thanks for recognizing Mooney as #1. I’ve enjoyed mine for 16 years.

[@johncavanagh1000]

You're off on a few of your speeds, I owned Cardinal RG, it would cruise at 140 all day long, most Mooney M20 owners I talk to said their Cruise speed was 155. My friend owns a Grumman tiger and cruises at 135, most older 172 cruise at 115 knots. I own a 182rg that cruise is at 150 knots with 700 mile range with 4 adults

[@flyingpooch1465]

I drive past the Mooney plant every day. Sad seeing the doors closed. Every once in a while a door will be open, but can't see much going on.

[@rebelyell22]

They're back opened

[@Buck305]

@@rebelyell22 I think they shut down again January 7th

[@rebelyell22]

@@Buck305 yea, I just read the thread on Beechtalk. Damn.

[@daszieher]

They unfortunately didn't manage to bring the production costs down. I wonder why they didn't relaunch the M20C as a budget version.

[@scottspitler1443]

Makes me wonder why there are millions of Bonanzas/Debonairs at many FBOs, but only a few Comanches, Super Vikings, Cardinals, etc on the same ramp. Four adults and each with a weekend backpack? Comfortable for 4+ hour legs? Able to load two full-sized bicycles in the front door? Grass runway? 160 TAS? Seems like only the Bonanza is a real contender. A Cessna 210 might be close but apparently that airframe was not considered.

[@mrbob92679]

I learned to fly in cessnas and I got a chance to fly a mooney . The cockpit seemed so tight almost like a 152. After that it was a dream plane. I'm surprised it's #1 but glad it's a very cool plane.

[@janwalor3014]

Informative and pretty well researched. The T182RG I think should make the list before the 177. I agree on the Mooneys. Probably is the best bang for t he buck, but the old Piper Comanche C models. For the difference in price one could fly a lot of hours.

[@Wolficorntv]

Fun video but I would be remiss to not correct you on your Grumman Tiger stats. Purchase cost is at least 20K too low, as far as age, they produced them as late as late as 2006. Cruise speed is 135 kts, range is 550 miles with 45 reserve. If you're ever in SoCal, I'm happy to take you up in mine :)

[@JustPlaneSilly]

Shhhhh he called my traveler a tiger. I'm going with it.

[@daszieher]

My pick would be a '50s Bonanza. They're fairly cheap and seem to offer a lot for the price. Of course, not as fast or decked out as a newer model, but the ramp appeal is unbeatable.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Yes, I flightplan my Tiger for 130 kts. With 51 gallons usable @ 10 gl/hour, have decent range. And it flies like a little fighter.

[@achillesmjb]

Was looking to buy a Mooney. After a lot of research I noticed that EVERY Mooney I looked at had a prop strike at some point in its history (sometimes listed as "sudden engine stoppage") requiring an engine teardown and inspection.

[@wburtney5154]

Most Mooney's I have seen around the airports near me have had a prop strike too.

[@achillesmjb]

@@wburtney5154 Negates the on paper operating advantages.

[@rogeliolopez2190]

I think it has to do with how unforgiving mooneys are with flare speeds, just land 2 knots faster and you can really mess up. so maybe they had a bouncy landing (because of improper flaring) and strikes on the propeller. Not saying its 100% true but a possibility.

[@Ichibuns]

A Mooney is great if you don't have any friends and family to take with you. If you like bringing people along I would highly recommend the Bonanza and Comanche 250.

[@skyforce2132]

Greg also a Comanche 260!

[@Ichibuns]

@@skyforce2132 I have no doubts, I just haven't been in one yet. If one becomes available to rent, I will definitely fly it

[@tomiasthexder7673]

No payload consideration....one of the most important considerations. No point going anywhere if you can't carry anything

[@nunyabidness3075]

Tomias Thexder, people always say that, but most buyers private buyers vastly over estimate their needs on payload. Those extra seats just rarely get used at all. Most planes have pristine rear seats. Buyers also fall for the full fuel payload trick which is just laughable unless it’s a rental. Putting smaller tanks on planes and acting like it’s a feature had to be one of the best con jobs in marketing history.

[@quidestnunc9238]

@@nunyabidness3075 Oh so true and accurate on multiple fronts for a wide variety of reasons. [Please also see my Cost of Ownership comments to You elsewhere in this piece.]

[@andrewdixon3538]

I agree, the M 20 Mooney is the clear winner in my mind as well. However, the 2nd Pl., Ballanca it’s not really in the same league in my mind. You did point out that it did have substantial wood construction but you didn’t say anything about It’s mostly a fabric covered airplane not metal! Well today’s fabrics are better than the old cotton days that was used when I was a kid, it’s still not metal.

[@docholiday7758]

The Van’s RV-8...182 mph cruise @ 7.2 gph. 22,000 ft service ceiling. 275 ft takeoff ground roll.

[@themiller8754]

I've never heard a single Cardinal RG pilot, except the one you interviewed, state a cruise speed under 140-145kts. At 130kts his almost had to be giving him fuel back, cant imagine the burn was over 7gph.

[@par5eagles]

Fun video. FYI, the Grumman Tiger can't be had in "flyable condition" for $40K... that's not going to happen these days. More like $80k+. Maybe a Traveller at that price?

[@gorgly123]

The plane in the video is a Traveller not a Tiger. Also, a Tiger's cruse speed is closer to 135 knots. I use to own one.

[@par5eagles]

@@gorgly123 Exactly!

[@JustPlaneSilly]

That's my traveler

[@par5eagles]

@@JustPlaneSilly Maybe you should throw a Tiger sticker on the vertical stab, that will give you 30HP and 20 knots right out of the gate! :-)

[@indridcold8433]

I found a 1978 Cessna 152 for sale with flight worthiness certificate for £18.000. It still had the original, outdated, clockwork guages and radio, but it flew. It only lasted a few days on the market. I missed a good chance.

[@Acc0rd79]

Great video! I am looking to buy my own plane now. Just got my complex endorsement in a Mooney M20C and I loved that plane, it is definitely the sports car of the skies:)

[@morganbeasley]

Need useful load and mission diversity, ie which could handle rougher strips or have skis available? Which has bigger baggage for large format items like skis or folding bike? Also might call it top ten tricycle gear airplanes single engine airplanes...

[@arumrunner]

I would love to see a Tail Dragger Top 10!

[@austinbyrd5313]

Spot on list. I'm on my 2nd Mooney, an M20k 231 with the 252 engine conversion; wouldn't own anything else in this category. At 67% power, TAS is 168 kts, burning 11 gph, and with 4 modestly sized grown ups, 3 hours range is no problem (we pack light). With 2 on board, 1,000 nm range. Great list though - love the Cheetah, Cardinal, Comanche, and Debonair for the money too (they just can't match the Mooney's efficiency and durability). Someone will buy Mooney and keep making the parts - there are too many out there for that not to happen.

[@chrissims4085]

I really enjoyed the review but want to add my 2 cents. I have a Grumman Tiger, AA5B, All Grumman’s are 1969 and newer. The two seat trainer has a range of about 350 miles but my Tiger has a range of 550 miles. I cruise at 120kts but can go 135kts-140kts. Tigers have a useful load of about 900#. They are very simple, very nimble, and cheap to own.

[@cruiserflyer]

I thought this comment would be higher up. The numbers put forward in this video for the Grumman don't make any sense at all. It's like they took Yankee numbers AA1 and mixed them up with AA5 numbers. I would think it would hold the #2 spot. I agree that the Mooney should be #1.

[@coastalroamer2024]

I enjoyed this video and concept. This would be fun to breakdown different boat categories on your sailing channel. Thank you for sharing!

[@charlesormond964]

Hey Bobby, you may want to check this video out at the 4:37 to 4:55 minute range. I suspect something went wrong, there is not clear video.

[@jameshoiby]

It looks like it was blurred on purpose. Probably couldn't get permission for the clip.

[@mgillign]

Doug scores of aviation. Awesome!

[@kjmdrumz3]

Except he’s not a douche like Doug

[@bsinger339]

Come to the Atlanta area, would love to take you up in my 182!

[@abraham05071978]

The Cherokee 180 you showed here was Tom’s Cherokee 235...!

[@Jordan.Is.Novice]

New video idea: same thing but experimental planes. Then do a top 10 on the same categories for certified and experimental. Might put a "certified" factor in your score when comparing.

[@EatPezzzz]

See my comment about my Long EZ. Beats most of these in nose of the categories. After owning an experimental, I'll never go back to certified.

[@alrizzotti1019]

Have you ever tested a Rockwell Commander 114?

[@USNVA11]

Those stats weren’t for a Tiger. I am half owner of a 1978 Grumman AA-5 Tiger and she is a total sweetheart to own and operate. 135 knots any day of the week. Total refurb two years ago with strip to bare metal and repaint, new plexiglass and a new interior. PowerFlo exhaust, new radios, ADS-b, GPS, electric aileron trim, LED lights, you name it. She looks like a new airplane.

[@cruiserflyer]

Where do you live? I want to meet your sweetheart!

[@kymbiddell7467]

Very interesting, thanks, looking fwd to the coming aircraft you get to fly in, have a great year

[@bucaneervideo7918]

You seem to have forgotten things like cost and availability of parts in your evaluation.

[@flyjeffva]

Years ago I was in a flying club that had Grumman Tigers and Cherokee 180's. I flight plan the Tiger at 130kt and the Cherokee at 110kt - a substantial difference in speed. To say they are the same speed is wrong.

[@N72Pilot]

I would have like to have seen the average insurance cost included.....other than that, very nice summary

[@michaelancel6652]

N72Pilot way too dependent on pilot experience for this to be helpful imo

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

3;45 Grumman Tiger, range 350 kts ??

[@richardkschmidt7436]

Bobby, your range figure for the V-Tail Bonanza doesn’t reflect the typical Bonanza. The vast majority of mid-60’s and newer models have 74 gallons of useable main fuel, with a range of over 900 nm at 165 knots cruise. Quite a few will also have auxiliary tip tanks, which raises useable fuel to 104 gallons and the range to over 1300 nm. Your figure may be based on the “standard” main fuel tanks, which are very rare.

[@ricsha91]

Need to change the title on the Grumman to Grumman Traveler. The Tiger has better range and is faster than the Traveler.

[@gorgly123]

Yep

[@toddy2519]

The Cheetah will also outrun the Traveler!

[@MrDavesbox1]

my tiger was solid at 140 knots, and 600 mile range.....

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

Agreed.. I own a 77 AA-5B Tiger... max range is 714 nm at 10 GPH with 51 gallons usable cruising at 140 KTAS at 8,500 MSL, 574 nm with a one hour reserve. I can lean her out to cruise burning 8.5 GPH if I have to. Average annual runs me $1,200.. insurance $850 a year. Very affordable, relatively speaking. Payload is 950 lbs.

[@MrDavesbox1]

@@gordonfeliciano4315 i had a Tiger with exactly the same numbers , mine was a 1976 last 3 on the tail "356" - loved that bird.

[@leavethekatoutside]

My favourite thing about Mooneys is deciding whether or not your choice of headset will bring it up to their max useful load

[@ThomasLeNinja]

Glad to know the mighty Mooney is number #1!

[@jamesbarrick3403]

Cool video. You have all of the factors evenly weighted it appears. I might weight the factors just a bit to my own preference. But thanks for so much needed information in a short video!! I rate this video a 10 vs the hundreds of others I have seen. I would also like to see a similar video that would concentrate on more modern single engine craft like cirrus, etc. Avionics would be a factor I would think.

[@max_archer]

I flew a Cherokee a couple of weeks ago and really couldn't get along with it. The cabin width was probably the main issue but 172s are the same size on paper and not as bad for me, I guess it's the way the controls are laid out in relation to the cabin wall. Something weird about the sensitivity and response of the controls really caught me out as well. To be fair it was a pretty rough example and I could probably get used to it with time but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

[@reyesben]

Lots of praise below but I’d like to see the table / spreadsheet. It was hard to follow. I love the tiger

[@earlystrings1]

Is operating cost just gas burn in cruise? Complex aircraft have considerably higher maintenance costs. If you about doubled the price of every aircraft here, you'd be getting some examples with lower engine and airframe times that might well save you money in the long run. As has been wisely said, airframes are cheap, engines and avionics are expensive.

[@lverrone]

Good assessment. I would say the numbers on the Grumman’s range are low IMO. I had one and flew 450nm in my Tiger many many times. If you are considering the entire Grumman single engine fleet I agree with the numbers but the AA1, AA5A and AA5B are three very different airplanes I had a AA5B

[@gorgly123]

The plane in the video is a Traveler. See "Just Plane Silly" youtube channel. That is Bryan's plane that was reviewed. Also, I use to have an AA5B and you could flight plan 4 hours at 135 knots all day long and have at least an hour reserve (50 gal tanks). That's 540 nm.

[@lverrone]

Jon Funanich 100% 500NM New York City to Myrtle Beach even with bad winds was doable

[@quidestnunc9238]

Bobby: 1) no Musketeers (Sundowners, Sierras, Supers) ?? 2) $80k-$85 is good for one plane, yet deficient for another ? 3) retracts intermingled with fixed gear planes ?? (Please see #4) 4) Insurance these days is a deal killer [Please watch recent Aviation Consumer Magazine YT channel episode on Insurance]

[@robertthrailkill1368]

Well done. Quick and to the point. Good choices.

[@twisterwiper]

I’m not sure I want “bang” when buying an aircraft 😬

[@NAubc]

How about best splat for your buck?

[@trangenusa]

How come your pictures from the Bellanca Super Viking is all BLURRY, one feature you don't mention is how many seats, i want to know which can seat 4 or 5 or 6 or 7.

[@Failkour]

Am i stupid or is every plane on this list now (at least) twice as expensive as listed in this video?

[@WilliamDauriaInvestor]

I'll have my Vashon Ranger in DFW area Feb 2023 if you want a review on that just let me know. Dual glass dynon all metal construction 2023 model. 140k purchase

[@mattholsopple]

I really appreciate these videos and the way you put them together. I’m hoping to purchase my first airplane within the next year and your videos have really helped me narrow down my search. With that said, would you feature a 1970’s Rockwell Commander 112 or 114? Along with the Mooney, the commander is high on my list with a bit more comfort. Thanks!

[@gendaminoru3195]

Has anyone put the IO-390 in the Cessna 177? It really helped the Rockwell Commander 112's, which also had a wide cabin.

[@TheArborNut]

Pleased to see a Mooney show up on your site, but I am surprised because I have noticed that you do not have an interview or video on the Mooney. If you are going to be in the Seattle area sometime, I may be able to help you with that. Would love to see you fly a Mooney on this channel! Thank you for sharing your experiences!!

[@loofacop]

Those prices on Cessnas are very optimistic. Sure, if you get one with an engine 5 seconds from an overhaul and glued on pictures of avionics.. but you’re not going to find a functional C182 under $100k. And C172’s are pushing $70-80k.

[@PilotFun101]

Love my MooneyM20C. Great planes all the way around!! Thanks for sharing!

[@keithvick1432]

Useful load was one of my biggest reasons for buying a Comanche 250. If I'm correct, I believe it's higher than any of the other 9 aircraft in the comparison. It's a true 4 seater plus luggage.

[@CCitis]

Whats with the blurred out super viking?

[@garybrinkman1343]

Where did you get your pricing? I had a friend looking at Cessna 182’s. They are more than twice what you are quoting.

[@jacobanderson9292]

his pricing is a fallacy.

[@lilcrazeydragon]

@@jacobanderson9292 depending on year! most models on this list are pre-1980s. most these aircraft are not in production any more

[@irondisciple2984]

What are these types of planes called?? And do they leave contrails behind???

[@KindaCoolDad]

Nice video! It looks like the Grumman specs you provide are for the Traveller, not the Tiger, though. Also, are the Cessna 177 specs for the RG variant?

[@Sss12698]

10. Cherokee 180 0:25 9.Cessna 172 0:56 8.Beechcraft bonanza 1:27

[@skydvrboy]

You didn't narrow it down much with the M20 Mooney. That could be anything from a mid 60's M20C you could buy for $35k all the way up to a 2019 M20V that goes for a cool $800k. Judging from your numbers it looks like you rated a nice M20E, but I think the M20F is the best value. They go for around $60k, fly a bit slower at 155 kts, but they have the highest useful load, extra leg room, and more fuel giving a range of over 1,000 NM! Of course it all depends on how you value speed, comfort, age, etc. Many pilots prefer the older manual gear/flap Mooney's over the newer electric due to lower maintenance cost

[@joecritch143]

Fixed gear vs retracts? Ya gotta compare apples to apples.

[@nunyabidness3075]

Why? He considered cost and speed. It’s no different a trade off than engine size.

[@quidestnunc9238]

@@nunyabidness3075 Insurance and Annuals are many times higher on retracts...speaking from experience. Don't take my word for it; call Avemco (largest insurer still?) and compare same year planes with similar TTAE (for example, Mooney 180 with Cherokee 180) then contact a Mooney specialist A & P and a Piper specialist A & P, seeking an Estimate from each. Mooney earns points for Speed and Range. Now...how about that Mooney Cost of Ownership (including initial Purchase Price) versus (either 60's, Hershey Almond Bar wing) Cherokee or an Archer [floats when landed "hot" like a Mooney without the crow-hopping or porpoise-ing like a Mooney]. Then...get back to us, please. Best compromise may be a Beech Musketeer series. I learned in 60's Cherokee 180's in the (very) late 70's [Miami University's Flying Club owned three of them !]. Very forgiving and no, repeat, No, bad habits either in stalls or during landings (on tarmac or grass). Now, if only Mooneys had oleo struts/shocks instead of those rubber donuts.........................no, I still would not purchase an Acclaim Ultra for 800k.

[@nunyabidness3075]

QuidEst Nunc, This is very old. what you are saying is a bit exaggerated and don’t use Avemco. At any rate, I cannot remember if the cost in the video is ignoring cost of ownership. If so, you have a point.

[@charlesd.9102]

Most Grumman AA5s have around 500nm of range from what I've seen, maybe you've mixed it with the AA1 trainer?

[@hefeibao]

He must have - no way you get an AA5 for that little money. Latest prices are more like $80,000

[@charlesd.9102]

@@hefeibao Well, actually I've owned a 1972 AA5 Traveller with my dad for 4 years. We bought it 27'000CAD and sold it 34'000CAD in June this year.

[@bkg5455]

Excellent! Top Ten Bang-for-Buck twins next please!

[@JoshOnGuitar]

For my tastes, the Cardinal is the perfect single engine piston plane. Most of that appeal (to me) comes from the comfort of the cabin and sleek looks.

[@jamesbarrick3403]

I might agree with you ... also useful payload. Not often you would need all those seats but full fuel for 3-4 butts is nice.

[@marsgal42]

Comanche 250s deliver lots of knots per dollar. Wouldn't mind one (or an Arrow) myself. I bought my plane (Beech 23) through word of mouth. Comfortable, cheap to buy and cheap to run, but old and slow.

[@ardz8279]

BEECH STARSHIP: While you were in Dallas, wouldn't it have been great to review one of the regularly flown Beechcraft Starships (yes, plural) at AQRD in Addison? THAT would be a great review for you to do!

[@lockirocu]

Twins next?

[@ts7857]

Those are some great picks for a top 10, but was disappointed that my beloved Arrow didn’t make the list with a cruise speed of 132 knots at 8.7 GPH...

[@brians2808]

Nice video! But would have been also nice to see Useful Load ranked.

[@shawnengstrom3906]

Very good list. The only ones I don't lime are the Grumman and the termite trap 😂. I agree with your #1 pick and think the Cherokee 180 would be a little higher up that list. The often forgotten Commanche 250 is a really good plane for the $$ and the speed you get.

[@justinofboulder]

We be in Dallas on the 25th for a Sailing regatta.....

[@bryonslatten3147]

If looks counted I would give the Beechcraft, Mooney, and Bellanca top honors. Mixing fixed gear with retractable gear planes confuses a lot of important topics such as operating costs.

[@gabee.8633]

Just realized he's the Doug Demuro of aircraft. Its pretty great.

[@robertd4468]

True on the Mooney but I think the 177 should have come in higher. They’re pretty wonderful

[@BlackEagle540]

OK, the group is oddly constructed. 4-cyl fixed gear might make a better evaluation. No piper arrow? How about 6-cyl retrac?

[@rebelyell22]

You need to do a video with my 182R!

[@chadpollman7970]

Cherokee, 172, and Bonanza in the bottom three spots? I better grab some popcorn for the comments section; ought to be a doozy. 😎🍿

[@dannysmith9005]

Agreed.

[@ardz8279]

While you're in Dallas, wouldn't it be great to be able to review one of the regularly flown Beechcraft Starships (yes, plural) at AQRD in Addison? THAT would be a great review for you to do!

[@steveatx8295]

so overall what is the best airplane single engine, range over 1100 knm, price under 125K$