Explore Plane & Pilot Magazine’s Aircraft section for trusted reviews, detailed pilot reports, and expert comparisons. From legendary trainers to cutting-edge designs, we help pilots evaluate performance, specs, and ownership experiences to make confident decisions in the air and on the ground.
STANDARD DATA: (DA-40) Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,535 lbs. Empty wt. 1,641 lbs. Fuel capacity 41 gallons. Engine 180-hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A. PERFORMANCE: Cruise 145 kts. Stall 49 kts. Initial climb rate 1,070 fpm. Takeoff distance (50′) 1,150′. Landing distance (50′) 1,190′. Building on the success of the Katana C1, Diamond began development of the four […]
Monnett Monex Monnett Moni STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 650. Empty wt. 380. Wingspan 16’8″. Length 15’2″. Fuel capacity 10. Engine Monnett “AeroVee” VW 2,180cc. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 230. Climb rate 2,000+. Range 400+. The Monex made its maiden flight on September 30, 1980, to begin the testing program. It is a very hig hperformance single-place […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 750. Empty wt. 440. Fuel capacity 11. Wingspan 16’8″. Length 16’8″. PERFORMANCE: Cruise mph 150. Stall mph 40. Climb rate 1,200. Takeoff run 500. Landing roll 500. Range 300. The 150-mph Sonerai is a real “spark plug” in the VW/racing picture. This midwing sport plane/racer was designed to meet all PRPA […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 925. Empty wt. 506. Fuel capacity 10. Wingspan 18’8″. Length 18’10”. Engine 65- to 70-hp Volkswagen. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 165. Cruise mph 140. Stall mph 45. Climb rate 750. Takeoff run 900. Landing roll 500. Range 420. After enjoying success with his original VW-powered Sonerai, John Monnett decided to develop the […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 780. Empty wt. 500. Fuel capacity 11-17. Wingspan 26’10”. Length 17’8″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 143. Cruise mph 130. Stall mph 43. Climb rate 1,000+. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 275. Range 600. The Mooney Mite, first flown in 1947, was constructed by Mooney Aircraft, a company formed by the executives of […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 900-1,100. Empty wt. 694. Fuel capacity 35. Wingspan 17′. Length 16’1″. Engine 140-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 170. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 50. Climb rate 1,000. Takeoff run 475. Landing roll 800. Range 680. The Knight Twister Imperial is actually a Knight Twister upgraded to race in the Sport Biplane […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,326. Empty wt. 800. Fuel capacity 25. Wingspan 28′. Length 18’11”. Engine 95-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 120. Cruise mph 115. Stall mph 51. Climb rate 1,000. Ceiling 18,000. Takeoff run 550. Landing roll 175. Range 600. The prototype PL-1 was stressed to 9Gs for aerobatics and featured a low-wing tricycle-gear […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,416. Empty wt. 875. Fuel capacity 25. Wingspan 28′. Length 19’4″. Engine 100-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 138. Cruise mph 119. Stall mph 52. Climb rate 1,280. Takeoff run 700. Landing roll 700. Range 492. Along with the PL-1, the PL-2 is the only design for amateur builders that is also […]
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