The Dart was unique from the beginning. Designed in the 1930s with the help of Al Mooney, it sported several different engine options, mostly 90-horsepower radials and the slightly more powerful Continental O-200 of Cessna 150 fame. With a fabric-covered wooden airframe, nicely rounded tips on the wing and horizontal stabilizer, and a jaunty stance on its tailwheel gear, it looks as though it’s enthusiastically anticipating the next opportunity to fly.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1948 Cessna 120

This particular Dart is especially unique. Rather than leaving the pilot with only around 100 horsepower and precious little excess thrust to clear departure-end obstacles, it has a one-time STC for a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320. This notable increase in power is sure to deliver bigger climb rates and bigger smiles alike, particularly as it’s fully stressed for aerobatic flight.

The Dart’s new owner will likely go many years without significant scheduled maintenance concerns. With only 1,000 hours on the airframe, 466 on the engine since major overhaul, and entirely new Polyfiber fabric installed in 2004, the most significant items have been addressed.

Although fewer than 100 Darts were produced, some 20 remain on the FAA registry today. So, while the type is indeed rare, a small community of owners exists that might be leveraged for ownership support. It’s not every day a unique and nearly pristine golden-age classic becomes available, and it’s especially rare that one comes up for a price on par with a new pickup truck.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com. 

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1946 Culver Dart GC appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

With an airframe total time of 4,450 hours, this aircraft has proven its resilience in the skies. Its Continental 0300D engine, paired with a McCauley borer prop, ensures reliability and performance for your missions. 

Equipped for exploration, the Cessna 170B comes fitted with a range of navigation equipment, including a KLN 90B, VOR, ILS, DME, 2VHF, KT70 Mode C, Garmin 196, and a 406 ELT. The communication setup features a KX 155, ensuring reliable contact during your flights.

• READ MORE: Cessna 170A: Rebuild Of A Lifetime, Literally

Step into a comfortable interior, upgraded in 2015, offering front shoulder harnesses, a folding rear bench, and an extended baggage area for added convenience. The polished aluminum exterior with highlights adds a touch of elegance to this aviation classic.

As a tailwheel predecessor to the iconic Cessna 172, the Cessna 170 played a pivotal role in aviation history. Despite initial hesitations, Cessna’s decision to explore the modification of the 170 led to the birth of the immensely popular Cessna 172, revolutionizing general aviation. Now, for $85,000, you can own a piece of this historical journey and experience the joy of flying in a true aviator’s delight.

Explore the skies with the Cessna 170B, where history meets the thrill of flight.

Interested in more deals like this? Check out AircraftForSale.com and our new PlanePrice feature that gives you a window into the opportunities that are out there.

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1965 American Champion 7ECA Citabria

It just looks like fun sitting there on the ramp. The Citabria (that’s “airbatic” spelled backwards) speaks to pilots who want to test out their skills in aerobatic flying, or just have fun flying low and slow with friends into grass strips. American Champion is still making the series, but the original offers up a good deal for the right pilot.

This 1965 Citabria comes with its last Poly-Fiber recovering accomplished in 2002-2004, with rebuilt wings and a new wood spar in 2004 as well. The aircraft has 1,173 hours on it, with the Continental O-200 clocking 837 hours since major overhaul. The seller says it’s flown 48 hours in the last 6 months, making it far from a hangar queen. It has a uAvionix skyBeacon for ADS-B compliance.

For an asking price of $45,000, this Visalia, California-based tailwheel star can be yours.

READ MORE: American Champion Citabria, Super Decathlon, Scout

Interested in more deals like this? Check out AircraftForSale.com and our new PlanePrice feature that gives you a window into the opportunities that are out there.

Need help financing your dream? Visit our professional team at FLYING Finance for the best way to back your aircraft acquisition plan.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1965 American Champion Citabria appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

1959 Piper PA-22

While not the Tri-Pacer noted in the heading of the listing (that would be for the tricycle-gear version), this Piper PA-22 offers low-cost tailwheel fun for the pilot attracted to its sunny personality and approachability. With 3,381 hours on the airframe and a high-time engine, it’s ready for some attention, though compressions are reported to remain in the 70s.

In the instrument panel, there’s a BendixKing KY-97A VHF com radio, KN-53 VHF nav unit, and KT-76A transponder, plus an EGT gauge. The annual was last completed in June 2023. The aircraft paint is in good condition, as is the interior, according to the seller. Another plus? A spin-on oil filter has been installed, along with new bungees in 2023.

READ MORE: 1952 Piper PA-20 Pacer

It’s priced now as a good deal at $39,900, and based in Oregon.

Interested in more deals like this? Check out AircraftForSale.com and our new PlanePrice feature that gives you a window into the opportunities that are out there.

Need help financing your dream? Visit our professional team at FLYING Finance for the best way to back your aircraft acquisition plan.

The post Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1959 Piper PA-22-150 appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Let’s get that name dealt with right away—say, “ACK-will-lay.” The model name looks more awkward than it is and sounds more graceful than it looks. The word translates from Latin as “eagle.” Though unusual, Aquilae is a worthy name for a light aircraft.

When you glance at the photos, do you get the feeling you’ve seen this before? You should, but you may be wrong.

Popular Design Configuration

Aquilae looks very much like—but is not—the G1 STOL. Some years before G1 arrived here in the U.S., I’d written about a French-produced version after seeing it equipped with hand controls and its wings folded compactly on a trailer at the German Aero Friedrichshafen show. The basic design has been flying for close to 25 years.

Originally developed as the Yuma by Alisport, a French company, the design was later taken over by G1 Aviation, another French company that does extensive machine shop work for several aircraft builders. Alisport produced plans for its Yuma, and that’s what G1 used when it took over after the original Alisport engineer retired. It is also what Aquilae is using.

Yuma itself may have started as a modification of the Zenith CH-701, though these threads get increasingly hard to follow when changes are made.

All this made me look twice when I first spotted the gleaming Aquilae in polished aluminum.

Mark Mellicker represented the G1 STOL at airshows for the last couple years. As happens in aviation and any other business, events changed the organization and another company at AirVenture told me they were now representing G1. So I had two clues when I saw Mellicker by this shiny new airplane. Mellicker decided to go on his own and, voila!, Aquilae.

Building Aquilae

You see, Mellicker’s version has the simple wing-fold system that many buyers like. It’s a large-ish, STOL-capable design like G1 that fits the current-day standard for LSA. Gross weight is 1,320 pounds and the design uses the 100-horsepower 912 ULS. That is the one you see in the nearby images as it was displayed at AirVenture Oshkosh 2023.

Mellicker and his Ontario, Canada-based partner Lionel Neels have plans for Aquilae that will transform it into an American-made aircraft. While Neels will do some builder assistance and service for Canadian customers, his capacity may be too small for the interest. Already, Aquilae has generated eight orders.

Mellicker and Neels have teamed up in a cooperative arrangement with AeroPup developer, Don Fielden. Both companies displayed side-by-side at the recent Midwest LSA Expo 2023.

Fielden’s AeroPup operation is based in Lakeland, Florida (home to Sun ‘n Fun). The Florida base will coordinate actives for design, subletting machine work and other fabrication. Fielden will do the main kit assembly provide build center work as will Mellicker in western Illinois (not far from Galena for those who know the area). Neels will handle Canadian interest.

The first Aquilae will use some G1 parts supplied by the French company, but most of the airframe components will be sourced the U.S. Eventually it is planned to become an all-American operation.

Describing Aquilae

Mellicker said Aquilae is “entirely built with 2024-T3 Alclad aluminum fitted over a 4130 steel tube welded frame. As seen, the wings fold compactly so that it can be towed on a small trailer and could be kept in some garages.

Builders can choose between engine and propellers. All models have electric flaps and trim. Two fuel tanks holding 9.25 gallons each are mounted in the wings. Hydraulic brakes are combined with landing gear composed of half blades made of aluminum, steel, composite.

Three models are envisioned. G1 in France developed the tricycle gear model that many pilots prefer. Those who want a more off-airport-capable Aquilae can choose a taildragger that Neels and Mellicker prefer.

The latter will be available in two forms, one with milder bush qualities and one more robust. The standard model still boasts the STOL capabilities but uses conventional gear, albeit with larger tires.

Those what want the full bush plane experience may prefer the Grizzly, which will offer a shock-absorbing tailwheel with large, longer-extension shock absorbers on the main gear. The Grizzly model was also envisioned for the 141-horsepower Rotax 915iS but may now move to the newer, even more powerful 916iS with 160 horsepower. The more potent model will also feature a glass cockpit by MGL.

A float model is also in development with aluminum floats. Mellicker envisions these available in straight or amphibious gear.

“We offer a range of services to meet the needs of our customers,” said Mellicker. “From design and manufacturing to maintenance and support, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our clients. Our team of experts is always ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.”

“We presume that many customers may have zero experience in airplane construction so we decided to make it simple for our customers,” said Mellicker. “The kit will come 49% preassembled and we believe that with basic home tools you will be able to complete the airframe (before engine installation or painting) in about 150 hours.” Mellicker added in early October that the team was upgrading their assembly manual with improved instructions and lots of pictures to ease the building process.

Affordable STOL?

In summer 2021, a G1 complete airframe kit listed for $39,500. Even after two years of the highest inflation we’ve seen in many decades, here’s a surprise: the price of Aquilae is lower than G1 two years ago.

Mellicker has already collected eight deposits for Aquilae. He believes the first shipments will occur by summer 2024. Of the eight, three want nose wheel models and two want the Grizzly. Having such options helps pilots make the purchase decision.

In summer 2023, an Aquilae kit was priced at $34,950. The builder can add a choice of engines, avionics as desired, any interior finish, and paint or accent graphics. Mellicker thought you could get airborne for $70,000 although choosing the Grizzly model with the more costly Rotax engine and fuller avionics will be more expensive. It might still stay under $100,000 ready-to-fly and as we move into 2024, that price sounds fairly reasonable.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Aquilae by North American Eagle
all specifications supplied by manufacturer

Empty Weight — 731 pounds*
Max Gross Weight — 1320 pounds*
Wingspan — 32.5 feet
Length — 22 feet
Height — 7.67 feet
Folded Wing Width — 8 feet
Cabin Width — 48 inches
Wing Surface — 153.6 square feet
Max. Wing Load — +4/-2 g
Rate of Climb — 1.000 to 1.500 feet per minute
Never-Exceed Speed — 125 miles per hour
Stall Speed — < 31 miles per hour
Take-off Distance — 60 feet to 200 feet
Landing Distance — 95 feet to 200 feet
Range — 500 miles to 585 mile
* not including floats or parachute

The post Aquilae Is a New Kit Entry in the STOL Space appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Citabria	Citabria Explorer
STANDARD DATA: Citabria Aurora Seats 2. Gross wt. 1,750. Empty wt. 1,120. Fuel capacity 36. Engine 118-hp Lycoming O-235-K2C. PERFORMANCE: Top Cruise 109 KTAS. Initial climb rate 740 fpm. Ceiling 11,500. Stall 47 kts. Takeoff distance ground roll 650′. Landing distance roll 520′.	STANDARD DATA: Citabria Adventure/Explorer Seats 2. Gross wt. 1,750/1,800. Empty wt. 1,200/ 1,250. Fuel capacity 36. Engine 160-hp Lycoming O-320-B2B. PERFORMANCE: Top Cruise 127 KTAS. Initial climb rate 1,167/1,130 fpm. Ceiling 15,000/15,500. Stall 47/42 kts. Takeoff distance ground roll 430/412′. Landing distance roll 480/360′.
Super Decathlon	Scout
STANDARD DATA: Super Decathlon Seats 2. Gross wt. 1,950. Empty wt. 1,340. Fuel capacity 40. Engine 180-hp Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B. PERFORMANCE: Top Cruise 142 KTAS. Initial climb rate 1,280 fpm. Ceiling 15,800. Stall 48 kts. Takeoff distance ground roll 495. Landing distance roll 425′.	STANDARD DATA: Scout Seats 2. Gross wt. 2,150. Empty wt. 1,400. Fuel capacity 36-72. Engine 180-hp Lycoming O-360-C1G. PERFORMANCE: Top Cruise 109 KTAS. Initial climb rate 1,075 fpm. Ceiling 17,000. Stall 45 kts. Takeoff distance ground roll 490′. Landing distance roll 420′.

American Champion became somewhat of a legend when it rescued the Bellanca Super Decathlon from extinction. The company now owns the type certificate to the Model 7 and Model 8 Champion Line (Champs, Challengers, Citabrias, Decathlons, Scouts). American Champion switched to metal wing spars, replacing the wooden ones championed by Giuseppe Bellanca, and now manufactures five models of the distinctive high wing aircraft—three Citabrias, the Aurora, Adventure and Explorer, as well as the Super Decathlon and Scout. American Champion aircraft are popular as tailwheel trainers, aerobatic trainers as well as backcountry bush aircraft.

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