The best single piston?

DrBenny · October 20th, 2003, 17:49

What about the P210? You're not asking too much of that engine for the pressurization and other systems, are you? After all, as a percentage, more of the horsepower is going towards the traditional role of powering the airplane through the air, right?

"How much was that new T182, again. Why?"

http://www.aso.com/i.aso/AircraftVie...craft_id=74927

I_Money · October 20th, 2003, 17:54

I would go for a Piper Malibu -

Baronman · October 20th, 2003, 17:57

Tough question to answer...It's like asking which is the best twin engine jet? An MD-80 is a fine twin engine jet to haul people/stuff around, but an A-10 is a better twin to blow up tanks and armored vehicles.

The 172 has proven itself to be one of the best all-around single engine aircraft around.

Tim · October 20th, 2003, 17:58

I like the Piper Malibu Mirage. Hopefully I will start flying one soon and getting paid.

pilot602 · October 20th, 2003, 18:01

Navion.

[/sarcasm

ff]

Doug Taylor · October 20th, 2003, 18:09

A1 Skyraider!

MidlifeFlyer · October 20th, 2003, 18:18

For what?

EatSleepFly · October 20th, 2003, 18:19

I'm partial to the Bonanza (especially the later model V35B's), but I'm biased.

Doug Taylor · October 20th, 2003, 18:22

Actually, if you're not trying to blow stuff up, the A-36 Bonanza and the F-33A have to be the Mercedes of all single-engine pistons. Beech builds a very nice aircraft however very expensive as well.

ERAU_Intern · October 20th, 2003, 18:24

Bonanza, hands down. Need more speed, get the turbo model. Beech has a GREAT product!

ricecakecm · October 20th, 2003, 18:56

Having flown a 210, an A36, and a Malibu Mirage, I'd have to say the Malibu is hands down the best piston single out there. It's got a decent ramp presence, fairly comfortable for passengers in the back, and good performance. You can't beat 215 KTAS at FL250 in a piston single.

E_Dawg · October 20th, 2003, 19:00

Wait... I though you didn't care about speed

You know what's funny... pilots love to fly, but once in the air they do all they can to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

MikeD · October 20th, 2003, 19:04

[ QUOTE ]
Wait... I though you didn't care about speed

You know what's funny... pilots love to fly, but once in the air they do all they can to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about the Beech B36?

ERAU_Intern · October 20th, 2003, 19:04

Nah, i really think its just a fascination with going FAST! " I feel the need...........the need............for speed!"

aviator · October 20th, 2003, 19:12

Have to say the Bonanza as well. Just the other day I was doing a cross country in a seminole (not a speed demon, but it is a twin!!) Cruising at 7000- GS about 170 kt's and a Bonanza blew past us as if we were standing still........

Citationkid · October 20th, 2003, 19:25

Cessna T210R for me. Great airplane, known icing, radar, 29,000' ceiling, has it all..........

sopdan · October 20th, 2003, 19:50

How about the Lancair IV-P? It cruises at 330 mph @ FL240

. Maybe if someday I have the time and money to build one....

Lancair IV-P

E_Dawg · October 20th, 2003, 19:53

HAHAHAH funniest thing in the world!!!!

TallFlyer · October 20th, 2003, 20:32

P-51

Boltonpilot · October 20th, 2003, 22:18

Any Mooney fans out there?! It may not be the fastest, but I love the Ovation 2 and the Bravo! Can't decide which one I like more...

sopdan · October 20th, 2003, 23:42

[ QUOTE ]

HAHAHAH funniest thing in the world!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I must admit, its not mine. I've seen it on various forums, so who knows which person had it first.

Scorpio11982 · October 20th, 2003, 23:50

A P-3 Orion.

I mean P-51 mustang

Parabellum · October 21st, 2003, 01:01

C-172. Yeah yeah I know some of you are probably thinking its just a "plain vanilla" airplane but I couldn't even imagine what general aviation would be like without it.

DrBenny · October 21st, 2003, 02:39

I realize that that was rather a vague question. Let me narrow it down some:

What is the best single-engine, piston aircraft for personal use? Think of things like: best balance between payload/range/speed/systems/operating cost.

This came to me because I noticed how relatively inexpensive the acquisition costs are for a malibu. Many are cheaper than a new 182. I then posted this on another board, and I got a lot of responses that said, essentially, the Malibu is a nice idea, but it CO$T$ LOT$ OF MONEY to operate, there are too many delicate systems, asking all of those systems to be run by a single 300 or 350 h.p. piston engine was too much, etc.

Most recommended that when I build enough experience, I would find something like a Seneca to be the better card to play. The operating costs were somehow less, the speed was respectable, the useful load was good, the systems weren't overly complicated for a civillian pilot, etc.

Now, after reading this, do you have any new or modified thoughts?

Is that P210 looking better?

goldeneagle · October 21st, 2003, 04:57

Hmm, I'm not sure if you'd consider this personal use, but just thought I'd weigh in with some dreamboats. Even the modern, more practical one is not quite in everyone's reach.

1. The SF260 MARCHETTI, the Ferrari of the skies in more ways than one.

2. The F4U Corsair. Perfect antidote to Kamikazes, just use that divine wind to show them what some pirates can do, Arrr.

sorry, I'll stop now

October 20th, 2003, 17:49	#1
DrBenny Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: MD Posts: 395	The best single piston? What about the P210? You're not asking too much of that engine for the pressurization and other systems, are you? After all, as a percentage, more of the horsepower is going towards the traditional role of powering the airplane through the air, right? "How much was that new T182, again. Why?" http://www.aso.com/i.aso/AircraftVie...craft_id=74927

October 20th, 2003, 17:54	#2
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,692	Re: The best single piston? I would go for a Piper Malibu -

October 20th, 2003, 17:57	#3
Baronman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NEWARK Posts: 1,129	Re: The best single piston? Tough question to answer...It's like asking which is the best twin engine jet? An MD-80 is a fine twin engine jet to haul people/stuff around, but an A-10 is a better twin to blow up tanks and armored vehicles. The 172 has proven itself to be one of the best all-around single engine aircraft around.

October 20th, 2003, 17:58	#4
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: The best single piston? I like the Piper Malibu Mirage. Hopefully I will start flying one soon and getting paid.

October 20th, 2003, 18:01	#5
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,752	Re: The best single piston? Navion. [/sarcasmff]

October 20th, 2003, 18:09	#6
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: The best single piston? A1 Skyraider!

October 20th, 2003, 18:18	#7
MidlifeFlyer Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 3,094	Re: The best single piston? For what?

October 20th, 2003, 18:19	#8
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: The best single piston? I'm partial to the Bonanza (especially the later model V35B's), but I'm biased.

October 20th, 2003, 18:22	#9
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: The best single piston? Actually, if you're not trying to blow stuff up, the A-36 Bonanza and the F-33A have to be the Mercedes of all single-engine pistons. Beech builds a very nice aircraft however very expensive as well.

October 20th, 2003, 18:24	#10
ERAU_Intern Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Knoxville, Maryland Posts: 244	Re: The best single piston? Bonanza, hands down. Need more speed, get the turbo model. Beech has a GREAT product!

October 20th, 2003, 18:56	#11
ricecakecm Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: MO Posts: 237	Re: The best single piston? Having flown a 210, an A36, and a Malibu Mirage, I'd have to say the Malibu is hands down the best piston single out there. It's got a decent ramp presence, fairly comfortable for passengers in the back, and good performance. You can't beat 215 KTAS at FL250 in a piston single.

October 20th, 2003, 19:00	#12
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: The best single piston? Wait... I though you didn't care about speed You know what's funny... pilots love to fly, but once in the air they do all they can to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

October 20th, 2003, 19:04	#13
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: The best single piston? [ QUOTE ] Wait... I though you didn't care about speed You know what's funny... pilots love to fly, but once in the air they do all they can to get to their destination as quickly as possible. [/ QUOTE ] How about the Beech B36?

October 20th, 2003, 19:04	#14
ERAU_Intern Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Knoxville, Maryland Posts: 244	Re: The best single piston? Nah, i really think its just a fascination with going FAST! " I feel the need...........the need............for speed!"

October 20th, 2003, 19:12	#15
aviator Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 385	Re: The best single piston? Have to say the Bonanza as well. Just the other day I was doing a cross country in a seminole (not a speed demon, but it is a twin!!) Cruising at 7000- GS about 170 kt's and a Bonanza blew past us as if we were standing still........

October 20th, 2003, 19:25	#16
Citationkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,417 Blog Entries: 5	Re: The best single piston? Cessna T210R for me. Great airplane, known icing, radar, 29,000' ceiling, has it all..........

October 20th, 2003, 19:50	#17
sopdan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 671	Re: The best single piston? How about the Lancair IV-P? It cruises at 330 mph @ FL240 . Maybe if someday I have the time and money to build one.... Lancair IV-P

October 20th, 2003, 19:53	#18
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: The best single piston? HAHAHAH funniest thing in the world!!!!

October 20th, 2003, 20:32	#19
TallFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 554	Re: The best single piston? P-51

October 20th, 2003, 22:18	#20
Boltonpilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: OH Posts: 161	Re: The best single piston? Any Mooney fans out there?! It may not be the fastest, but I love the Ovation 2 and the Bravo! Can't decide which one I like more...

October 20th, 2003, 23:42	#21
sopdan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 671	Re: The best single piston? [ QUOTE ] HAHAHAH funniest thing in the world!!!! [/ QUOTE ] I must admit, its not mine. I've seen it on various forums, so who knows which person had it first.

October 20th, 2003, 23:50	#22
Scorpio11982 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 186	Re: The best single piston? A P-3 Orion. I mean P-51 mustang

October 21st, 2003, 01:01	#23
Parabellum Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 175	Re: The best single piston? C-172. Yeah yeah I know some of you are probably thinking its just a "plain vanilla" airplane but I couldn't even imagine what general aviation would be like without it.

October 21st, 2003, 02:39	#24
DrBenny Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: MD Posts: 395	OK, I need to clairfy I realize that that was rather a vague question. Let me narrow it down some: What is the best single-engine, piston aircraft for personal use? Think of things like: best balance between payload/range/speed/systems/operating cost. This came to me because I noticed how relatively inexpensive the acquisition costs are for a malibu. Many are cheaper than a new 182. I then posted this on another board, and I got a lot of responses that said, essentially, the Malibu is a nice idea, but it CO$T$ LOT$ OF MONEY to operate, there are too many delicate systems, asking all of those systems to be run by a single 300 or 350 h.p. piston engine was too much, etc. Most recommended that when I build enough experience, I would find something like a Seneca to be the better card to play. The operating costs were somehow less, the speed was respectable, the useful load was good, the systems weren't overly complicated for a civillian pilot, etc. Now, after reading this, do you have any new or modified thoughts? Is that P210 looking better?

October 21st, 2003, 04:57	#25
goldeneagle Newbie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 29	Re: The best single piston? Hmm, I'm not sure if you'd consider this personal use, but just thought I'd weigh in with some dreamboats. Even the modern, more practical one is not quite in everyone's reach. 1. The SF260 MARCHETTI, the Ferrari of the skies in more ways than one. 2. The F4U Corsair. Perfect antidote to Kamikazes, just use that divine wind to show them what some pirates can do, Arrr. sorry, I'll stop now

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