General Aviation Aircraft
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.
MACDONALD S-20
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 720. Empty wt. 456. Fuel capacity 10. Wingspan 25′. Length 18’6″. Engine 53-hp Volkswagen. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 110. Cruise mph 90. Stall mph 38. Climb rate 850. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 300. Range 250. The S-20 utilizes all-metal construction but keeps it simple by the extensive use of pop rivets. […]
MAVERICK JET “LEADER”
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 5,800. Empty wt. 2,900. Fuel capacity 300. Engine two 1,100-lb. Williams Jet FJ33-4. PERFORMANCE: Top cruise 412 kts. Stall 78 kts. Climb rate 3,000 fpm. Takeoff run 1,800. Landing roll 1,900. Range 1,508 nm. The Maverick Jet Leader is a twin-engine, kit-built very light jet that debuted in 1999. Made of […]
MEAD “ADVENTURE”
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 800. Empty wt. 460. Fuel capacity 20. Wingspan 20′. Length 13′. Engine 65- to 85-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 188. Cruise mph 180. Stall mph 57. Climb rate 1,600. Takeoff run 800. Landing roll 700. Range 650. The Model 100 Adventure’s simplicity of operation is equaled only by its simplicity in […]
MERKEL MARK II
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,540. Empty wt. 1,200. Fuel capacity 18. Wingspan 25’6″. Length 22’9″. Engine 220-hp Franklin. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 206. Cruise mph 160. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 2,500. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 300. Range 250. This two-seat aerobatic biplane is stressed to a +6Gs and -3Gs limit, and +9Gs to -4.5Gs […]
