There are various different classes of aircraft, such as commercial airliners, helicopters, and more. But if you’re serious about getting a pilot’s license and owning your own aircraft one day, then you’re likely to want to purchase a light aircraft. In this post, we’ll discuss what constitutes a light aircraft, the benefits of owning a light aircraft, and some of the most popular types of aircraft today. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know:
Types of Light Aircraft
Light aircraft tend to be smaller and lighter in weight than larger planes. Designed to carry a lesser number of people, they’re typically used for personal use, hobby flying, aerial photography, and sightseeing, among others. Some of the key benefits of owning a light aircraft include a more affordable price tag and more flexible use options. What’s more, you only need a private pilot certificate to get into the cockpit of many models.
On that note, here’s a closer look at some of the different types of light aircraft:
Single Piston Landing Gear
Also known as a taildragger or tailwheel, a single-piston landing gear aircraft is one of the most popular types of light planes used more for recreational purposes. Designed to fly between 500 and 1,500 nautical miles, they tend to have two front wheels and a single wheel at the back to support the plane’s tail.
There are a few key benefits associated with single-piston landing gear. For instance, they’re more flexible than other types of light aircraft and are able to adequately take off on shorter runways. They also tend to be easy to maneuver in the hangar.
Single Turboprop
They’re fast, reliable, and more fuel-efficient than many of the other light aircraft options on this list. These propeller-driven planes have a single engine that generates power from the rear. What’s nice about single turboprops is that they tend to be able to carry more people and luggage than some of the other light aircraft on this list and they can fly up to 35,000 feet. They can be used for small commercial or general aviation purposes.
Piston Twin
Piston twin aircraft are multi-engine planes that hit the peak of their popularity back in the 70s and 80s. Best used for leisure flying today, they’ve been largely replaced by more efficient and more maintenance-friendly planes.
Some popular types of piston twin aircraft include the Piper Seminole and the Beech Baron.
Twin Turboprop
Lastly, the twin turboprop features two engines and is among the fastest and most popular light aircraft available today. They can reach peak speeds of more than 450 miles per hour. However, they aren’t able to fly as high as some other types of light aircraft. Originally developed for military purposes, twin turboprops were more recently adapted for commercial use. Another neat thing about the twin turboprop is its aesthetics. These planes are stylish and sleek.
Contact Us Today
For more information on the different types of light aircraft and information on registration and insurance, contact J.A. Air Center today.