Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-32-300 Lance.

Over many years I developed an affection toward the T-tail Pipers of the late 1970s. They remind me of how strong the general aviation market was at the time and the lengths to which manufacturers would go to keep their lineups fresh  and grab a few more sales. Piper also wanted to keep up with the latest trends, which included T-tails on propeller-driven aircraft.

Early in the decade, Beechcraft had introduced its King Air 200 turboprop, which sported the T-tail that still characterizes current King Air models. At the time, Beechcraft said mounting the horizontal stabilizer up high kept it clear of the wing’s wake, which improved control. Piper went for the same effect with its four-seat Arrow, six-seat Lance and the new two-seat Tomahawk trainer. Skeptics suggested the new tail was more of a marketing move, but that mattered little back in the day. The airplanes looked rakish and people bought them.

In the modern era these older designs offer practicality, value and a head-turning aesthetics. The Lance’s roomy cabin and large side door for passengers and cargo give it the feel of a personal airliner scaled to carry your family with space to spare.

This 1978 Lance has 2,981 hours on the airframe, 170 hours since overhaul on its 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 engine, and 591 hours since new on its three-blade Hartzell propeller.

The IFR panel includes a Garmin GPS 175, King KI 209 CDI, KI 207 CDI, King KX 175 nav/coms, a Garmin GTX 327 transponder, GDL 82, PS Engineering PMA7000B audio panel, a JPI engine analyzer, Century autopilot, and a DME.

Pilots who need the added comfort and flexibility of a six-seat aircraft and appreciate a dash of 1970s styling should consider this T-tail Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance, which is available for $145,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Piper Lance vs. Saratoga
• FLYING Magazine: Piper Saratoga Avionics Install: Part 1
• FLYING Magazine: The Practical Endurance of the Piper Cherokee Six
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Lance/Turbo Lance
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide:Piper Saratoga/Lance

The post This 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300 Is a Period-Perfect ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1975 Ted Smith Aerostar 601P.

For a rare airplane, the Ted Smith Aerostar is pretty well known among pilots and even in popular culture thanks to a notable supporting role in 2017’s hit film American Made, which stars Tom Cruise as a sketchy pilot hauling questionable cargo.

Long before the film, though, my planespotting schoolmates and I could identify Aerostars that flew over the school playground during recess. Their swept tail surfaces and small wings, seemingly set so far aft on the fuselage, gave them away.

The rubber-band-powered model airplanes we flew after school gained speed when we slid their wings back, and the same held true for the Aerostar, which set speed records in its heyday. This Aerostar has upgrades from Machen, a company that specialized in performance-enhancing modifications for the type. Auxiliary fuel gives a significant range boost. 

This 1975 Aerostar has 3,955 hours on the airframe, 1,397 hours since overhaul on the left Lycoming IO-540 engine and 1,468 on the right. The aircraft is equipped with GAMI injectors, auxiliary fuel, spoilers, heavy-duty Cleveland wheels and brakes, and Machen vortex generators and exhaust.

The panel includes a garmin GNS 430 GPS/nav/comm, Garmin SL 30 nav/comm, GTX 330 transponder, Garmin MX 20 MFD with charts, GDL 69 with SiriusXM weather, PS Engineering PMA 8000SR audio panel, Bendix-King radar altimeter, Bendix HSD 860 HSI Compass system, WX500 Stormscope, S-TEC 55X autopilot, and JPI 760 engine monitor.

Additional equipment includes air conditioning, oxygen system, deicing boots with windshield hot plate, and 44-gallon auxiliary fuel tank. This Aerostar has a useful load of 1,745 pounds.

Pilots looking for a light twin with extraordinary speed and impressive range for serious cross-country travel should consider this 1975 Ted Smith Aerostar, which is available for $210,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Aerostar 702P
• FLYING Magazine: Aerostar Jet Is Flying
• FLYING Magazine: Piper Aerostars in Flight
• Plane & Pilot: The Hot Rod: Ted Smith’s Aerostar
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Aerostar 600/601/700P
• The Aviation Consumer: Piper/Ted Smith Aerostar
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Aerostar
• AVweb: Refurb of the Month: Jefferson City Flying Service’s Aerostar 700P

The post This 1975 Ted Smith Aerostar Is a Long-Legged ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 Pipistrel Panthera.

More than a decade has passed since Pipistrel revealed the prototype of its Panthera high-performance four-ace retractable—and caused a sensation.

At the time everyone agreed that the airplane looked fast. Testing and production have since proved that it is, with cruising speeds north of 190 ktas.

The only downside for some prospective buyers has been the long wait for the Panthera to receive FAA certification. The machine currently flies under experimental rules.

The lack of certification has not been a showstopper for everyone, though, as many pilots, unwilling to wait, have purchased Pantheras. It is easy to understand why.

The airplane seems to represent what other piston singles might have become had they continued to evolve over the decades since they first came to market. The Panthera’s sleek composite airframe and elegant, racy interior contrast sharply with the 40- to 60-year-old riveted aluminum aircraft found on most GA airport ramps today.

What almost any pilot of a Piper Comanche, Rockwell Commander or other single with a 260 hp Lycoming IO-540 under the cowling is likely to notice is that the Panthera gets a lot more performance from the engine while burning less fuel and turning heads everywhere it goes. It could be an ideal fit for shoppers who are tired of considering the same old airplanes.

This 2020 Panthera has 801 hours on its airframe and its 260 hp Lycoming IO-540V-V4A5 engine. The aircraft’s panel features dual Garmin G3X 10-inch displays with synthetic vision for PFD and MFD, a Garmin GMC 307 autopilot, GTN 750 Xi GPS/nav/comm, GTN 650 GPS/nav/comm, GMA 35 audio panel, GTX 345R transponder with Mode C and ADS-B In and Out, Mid-Continent Instruments, SAM backup airspeed, backup altimeter, and backup artificial horizon.

Pilots looking for a thoroughly modern four-seat retractable that might be the most efficient aircraft in its category should take a detailed look at this 2020 Pipistrel Panthera, which is available for $760,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Sees Path to EASA Certification of the Panthera
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel’s Four-Seat Panthera Completes First Flight in U.S. Airspace
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Promotes Right Rudder Aviation as Its New U.S. Distributor
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Panthera Debuts
• Plane & Pilot: Pipistrel Panthera
• Plane & Pilot: Ultra-Efficient Panthera Makes Its Grand Entrance
• The Aviation Consumer: Pipistrel Panthera: Sleek, Stylish, Fast

The post This 2020 Pipistrel Panthera Is a Modern, Fast, Efficient ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2015 GippsAero GA8 Airvan.

The Australian manufacturer Gippsland, later GippsAero, made an impression on the general aviation market during the early 2000s with the GA8 Airvan. This high-wing utility aircraft looked like it could become a serious competitor to classic piston-engine load-haulers like the Cessna 206 and 207.

The GA8’s wide fuselage is among the features that sets the large airplane apart from other small piston-single load-haulers. The company designed the fuselage around the people and cargo it would carry, making room for 55-gallon drums arranged side by side on its flat floor, or eight passenger seats separated by a generous aisle.

For pilots who travel with family and friends as passengers, it is easy to imagine occupants feeling comfortable in the airy interior and enjoying the view through large windows. Owners, whether using the GA8 for personal travel or commercial missions, will appreciate its economical operation.  

This GippsAero GA8 Airvan has 4,200 hours on the airframe and 150 hours since overhaul on its Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine. The IFR panel features a Garmin G500 with synthetic vision technology, GTN 750 and GTN 650 GPS/nav/comms, GTX 33, GMA 35 audio panel, four-place intercom with Bose plugs, Honeywell KFC 225 autopilot, GDL 69A SiriusXM weather/radio, and JPI EDM 900 engine monitor.  

Pilots looking for a large, load-lifting piston single that can perform several missions, from carrying skydivers or cargo to transporting family and friends on vacation trips, should consider this 2015 GippsAero GA8 Airvan, which is available for $700,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: GippsAero GA10 Makes First Flight
• FLYING Magazine: GippsAero Names West Coast Dealer
• FLYING Magazine: Gipps Adds New Interior to Airvan
• Plane & Pilot: GA10 Turboprop Single Certified
• Plane & Pilot: Aircraft for the Adventurist
• The Aviation Consumer: Gippsland Airvan

The post This 2015 GippsAero GA8 Airvan Is a Heavy-Lifting ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six.

In one of my favorite scenes from any Marvel movie, a family of Soviet-era spies clambers into a Piper Cherokee Six and immediately dashes toward takeoff to avoid capture by U.S. agents. This is no way to fly, skipping the preflight and engine warm-up. I would have at least sumped the tanks.

Regarding the pre-takeoff briefing, well, they probably all knew it by heart. While the scene included plenty of Hollywood cinematic license, it made at least one point accurately: If you want to put your family into a personal airplane for long-distance travel, the Cherokee Six will get the job done.

Piper developed the PA-32-300 the way it developed most of its aircraft, through modifying and recycling older models. In the early 1960s the company’s four-seat PA-28 trainers and utility aircraft were popular rivals to Cessna’s Skyhawks and Skylanes.

But when Cessna introduced the six-seat 206, Piper had to scramble to answer the challenge. Engineers enlarged the PA-28 fuselage to add a third row of seats and wound up with the PA-32. The aircraft was an immediate hit, playing essentially the same role in the air that the family station wagon was playing on the road in that pre-SUV era.

While the aircraft eventually evolved into faster, more complex models such as the retractable Lance and Saratoga, many pilots favor the rugged simplicity of the fixed-gear Six, which often outperforms the others in pure utility and versatility.

This 1972 PA-32-300 has 4995 hours on the airframe and 994 hours since overhaul on its 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 engine. The aircraft’s cabin was refurbished in 2003 and the exterior repainted in 2010.

The updated custom metal panel features a Garmin GTN 750 WAAS GPS/nav/comm with Garmin Flight Stream 510, dual Garmin G5s, GNC 255 comm radio, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, GFC 500 autopilot with altitude preselect level button and go-around button, JPI EDM 930 engine monitor, and Davtron M800 chronometers.

Pilots looking for a comfortable and reliable traveling aircraft with up-to-date avionics and plenty of power should consider this 1972 Piper PA-32-300, which is available for $267,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: The Practical Endurance of the Piper Cherokee Six
• FLYING Magazine: Getting Sucked Into Aviation With a Piper Cherokee Six Owner
• FLYING Magazine: A New Take on the Faithful Cherokee Six
• FLYING Magazine: Best Used Six Seaters
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper PA-32R

The post This 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six Is Brawny, Versatile ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance II.

It was the late 1970s, also known as the T-tail era, and Piper was embracing the design feature more intensely than most manufacturers. The company’s Lance and Arrow piston singles converted from traditional tail feathers to the trendy empennage while its PA-38 Tomahawk trainer and PA-44 Seminole light twin were born that way.

Piper’s affection for T-tails eventually cooled, with Arrows returning to “straight” tails and Lances evolving into Saratogas, which also sported the traditional style. For a time pilots regarded the T-tail Lances as dated and undesirable, though today they exude a cool 1970s vibe that has gained popularity with a younger audience, just as big American cars and floral-print clothing of the era have enjoyed revivals. Something about that high tail gives this Lance an extra shot of ramp appeal and more than a hint of swagger. You will need a stepladder to properly preflight this machine but the overall effect is worth the effort.

Beyond pure style, and best of all, the Lance is a powerful, comfortable, and economical traveling airplane with a generous useful load. Family members can stretch out in its six-seat cabin and take in the view through its many windows. The Piper Lance supports the notion that with the right airplane, getting there can be more than half the fun.

This 1978 Lance II has 3,808 hours on the airframe, 1,660 hours on its 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 engine since overhaul and 327 hours since new on its propeller.

The IFR panel includes a King KMA 20 audio panel and Sigtronics SPA-400 four-place intercom, dual King KX 170B nav/comms with localizer and glideslope, KN 74 RNAV, King KT 76A transponder, and uAvionix Tail Beacon with ADS-B Out. Additional equipment includes LoPresti wing tips, Tanis engine heater, EGT instrument, and electric trim. 

Pilots who want a six-seater that can cruise with conviction while not breaking the bank should consider this 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance II, which is available for $149,900 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Piper Lance vs. Saratoga
• FLYING Magazine: I Learned About Flying From That
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Lance/Turbo Lance
• The Aviation Consumer: Piper PA-32R
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Saratoga/Lance

The post This 1978 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance II Is a 1970s-Cool ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1976 Ted Smith Aerostar.

Many pilots consider the Aerostar the ultimate light piston twin. Its projectile-shaped fuselage, swept tail surfaces and wings set farther aft than on the average piston aircraft give this twin a speedy look.

Taking off and accelerating in the climb, you realize that the slick shape is not just for show.

Aerostars have set numerous speed records over the years, and pressurized, turbocharged versions like this 601P tend to be the quickest.

This aircraft received a Machen Superstar 700 conversion package from Machen Inc. in 1999. This is a well-known upgrade that includes intercoolers and other equipment to boost power.

This Aerostar’s speed and large, pressurized cabin give it the feel of a small airliner, which pleases most passengers. For pilots who travel a lot, often accompanied by family, friends, or business colleagues, the Aerostar represents a chance to cut travel time significantly compared with ground and can even beat the airlines easily on certain routes.

This 1976 Aerostar has 7,221 hours on the airframe, 1,173 hours since overhaul on the left engine, and 1,291 hours since overhaul on the right. The engines are 350 hp turbocharged and intercooled Lycoming IO-540s. The left and right propellers each have 1,459 hours since overhaul.

The aircraft’s engines are part of the Machen Superstar conversion to increase performance. This Aerostar also is equipped with vortex generators and air conditioning.

The aircraft’s panel features dual Garmin GNS 430 GPS/Nav/Comms, dual Garmin G5 electronic instruments, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B, and Century IV autopilot. 

Pilots searching for a high-flying pressurized light twin with six seats and famously high cruising speeds should consider this 1976 Ted Smith Aerostar 601P, which is available for $199,500 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Aerostar 702P
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• Plane & Pilot: The Hot Rod: Ted Smith’s Aerostar
• Plane & Pilot: Choosing an Old Light Twin
• The Aviation Consumer: Piper/Ted Smith Aerostar
• AVweb: Refurb of the Month: Jefferson City Flying Service’s Aerostar 700P

The post This 1976 Ted Smith Aerostar Is an Airline-Like ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F.

A veteran instructor said that owning a light twin is a big step up from piston singles, in both performance and expense. However, for those who find themselves flying ever-longer distances over terrain not suited for emergency landings, the measure of security a second engine offers can easily be worth the cost.

The aircraft for sale here has a roomy, six-place cabin with good-looking upholstery and a panel with a number of modern upgrades. The F model is the last of the Aztec types, and 1981 was the aircraft’s last year of production. The first Aztecs arrived on the market in 1960 and each successive version, with a new letter suffix, brought new features. Many people prefer the F model over the rest because it has most of the desirable features, such as the long nose housing an extended baggage compartment.

This 1981 Piper Aztec F has 3,242 hours on the airframe, 493 hours on each of its 250 hp Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 engines since overhaul, and 26 hours on both propellers since overhaul. A one-piece windshield, long-range fuel tanks, and electric trim are among the aircraft’s upgrades.

The panel features Garmin GNS 530 WAAS and GNS 430 WAAS GPS/Nav/Comms, GMA 340 audio panel, King KCS 55 HSI, Garmin GTX 327 transponder STEC 55X autopilot, King KN DME, Bendix RDR 159 color radar, JPI EDM 760 engine monitor, and Shadin fuel flow instrument,      

Pilots looking for a reliable, six-seat light twin with a nice combination of load-carrying capacity, short-field performance, and cruising speed should consider this  1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F, which is available for $280,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Has Top Prop Available for Aztec Operators
• FLYING Magazine: MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Aztec 
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Apache
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Aztec
• AVweb: Record-Breaking Aviator Fran Bera Dead At 93

The post This 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Is a Well-Kept ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six.

Piper’s Cherokee Six appeals to pilots for some of the same reasons that other Cherokee models are popular, including stability, predictable handling, and reliability. But the Six offers bonuses, including a larger cabin, more horsepower, and room for six. This is a utility airplane that few others can match in terms of all-around capability.

Certified in 1965, the PA-32 Cherokee Six is largely the same as the later model Saratogas that have retractable landing gear and typically offer luxury interiors. The Six is clearly more utilitarian and tends to carry fewer adornments and interior upgrades.

This 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six has 5,226 hours on the airframe and 790 hours on its 300 hp Lycoming IO-540.

The panel features dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments, Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen GPS/Nav/Com, MX 170C digital Nav/Com with glideslope, Garmin GMA 345 audio panel, GTX 320 transponder, uAvionix TailBeacon ADS-B, Auto Control III autopilot with Nav coupling, S-Tec 30 PSS altitude hold, and Electronics International digital CHT/EGT gauge.

Additional equipment includes electric pitch trim, rudder trim, Flightcom six-place intercom, cabin ventilation fan, auxiliary power receptacle, and aileron gap seals.

Pilots looking for a large piston single with generous interior space and useful load that is ideal for family travel should consider this 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, which is available for $244,900 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: The Practical Endurance of the Piper Cherokee Six
• FLYING Magazine: Getting Sucked into Aviation with a Piper Cherokee Six Owner
• FLYING Magazine: Best Used Six Seaters
• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Piper Lance vs. Saratoga
• Plane & Pilot: New Piper‘s Saratoga II TC
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Cherokee Six 260/300
• The Aviation Consumer: Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six/Saratoga

The post This 1972 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six Is a Sturdy, Reliable ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1980 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F.

At least a few pilot friends who have owned several airplanes over the years regularly wax nostalgic when recalling Piper Aztecs that passed through their lives decades ago. They all say the same thing: “I never should have sold that one.”

While the PA-23-250 might not be the fastest or most glamorous light twin, most pilots who have spent a lot of hours in the aircraft say it is fast enough and quite endearing, especially when you have significant loads to carry, need to operate from short fields, or are seeking a stable IFR traveler. The airplane’s docile flight characteristics made it a popular multiengine trainer, while its performance impressed small cargo, charter, and air taxi operators. People say it is difficult to load the Aztec beyond its maximum gross takeoff weight. They also say it flies like a Cub, thanks to a chunky airfoil that produces lots of lift and allows slow approach speeds.     

This 1980 Aztec F has 6,163 hours on the airframe, 322 hours since overhaul on each of its Lycoming IO-540-C4B engines, and 322 hours since overhaul on the propellers. The aircraft is equipped with factory deice boots, hit props, hot windshield, and long-range fuel system.

The custom panel features a Garmin GTN 750 touchscreen GPS/Nav/Com, King KX-155 digital Nav/Com, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel with intercom, GTX 335 ADS-B transponder, Collins weather radar, King HSI, King KFC 200 autopilot, and JPI EDM 930 engine monitor. 

Pilots who want to step up to a light twin that is known for reliability, forgiving handling and load-carrying capacity should consider this 1980 Piper Aztec F, which is available for $289,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Has Top Prop Available for Aztec Operators
• Plane & Pilot: Used Light Twins Roundup
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Apache
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Aztec
• AVweb: Landing Gear Checks: Hit the Books

The post This 1980 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Is a Short-Field, Load-Carrying ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.