UTILITY-CLASS, FIXED-GEAR SINGLES

Need a heavy-duty backcountry load hauler? A fixed-gear, single-engine turboprop just might be the best option. The engines are reliable, fuel is widely available, and the performance is hard to beat. Swap out the gear for floats or amphibs, and you get safe, flexible operations on water.

Quest Kodiak. The Kodiak fleet has grown to about 120 airplanes, and it's easy to see why it has become so popular among both owners and pilots. It's a rugged utility turboprop that can easily haul loads out of short backcountry strips, or off the water or move passengers in comfort from city to city. The 750 hp P&WC PT6A-34 engine is smooth, powerful and reliable, and comes with a 4,000-hour TBO. The oversized cabin can comfortably manage up to 10 seats or handle 248 cubic feet of cargo that can be loaded through the large 49x49-inch rear door while allowing the crew to board through the front cockpit door. Top it off with 320 gallons of Jet A, and the range is a respectable 1,132 nm (at 135 knots). Top speed is 183 knots. At MGTW, an average Kodiak pilot can get airborne in only 934 feet and safely land in 705 feet without using reverse. The cockpit features a three-screen Garmin G1000 avionics package with a newly certified GFC 700 autopilot. Options include TKS deicing, XM Weather, GWX onboard radar, Stormscope, a large cargo pod, amphibious floats (from both Wipaire and Aerocet) and multiple interior seating packages. New for 2015: The TKS icing reservoir can now be located in the cargo pod to save room in the cockpit and make it easier to service. Interior options include the basic "Timberline" and more upscale "Tundra" interior options along with the "Summit" executive interior package with club seating and a drop-down table. The 2015 base price is $1.975 million and typically equipped Kodiaks go for a little over $2.0 million. Visit www.questaircraft.com.

Cessna Caravan. The Caravan is the grand­daddy of SETPs. First delivered in 1985, the Cessna Caravan fleet has racked up well over 15 million fleet hours and an outstanding safety record. Cessna offers four different configurations to address a wide range of missions. Putting aside the very successful cargo version, the Caravan, Amphibian and the Grand Caravan EX are the most interesting to owner-pilots. All have a fuel capacity of about 335 gallons, three-screen G1000 avionics and DOC of less than $500/hour. Here's a quick look at each version:

Caravan. Newly renamed, this is the original "short body" 675 Caravan that seats 8-14, and has a maximum cruise of 186 KTAS and a range of 1071 nm. The engine is a PT6A-114A with 675 shp. With full fuel it can take on another 1,086 pounds of payload and take off in 2,055 feet. 2015 base price will be around $1.9 million.

Caravan Amphibian. This is basically an amphibian Caravan, with more storage room in the floats that can handle up to 725 pounds of cargo. Maximum speed is 159 KTAS with a range of 908 nm. Payload with full fuel is 1,006 pounds. Takeoff distance is 3,660 feet. The base price will be about $2.4 million.

Grand Caravan EX. This is the largest Caravan with a stretched fuselage that can seat from 10-14. New for 2015, the EX is now certified for operation on both straight floats and amphibians. It features a PT6A-140 with 867 hp for improved performance in the 2015. The maximum speed of 185 KTAS is achieved at 10,000 feet. Maximum range is 912 nm. With full fuel, it lifts an impressive 1,321 pounds of payload and takes off in 2,160 feet. The 2015 base price should be about $2.2 million. Visit www.cessna.com.

HIGH-SPEED SETP CRUISERS

Single-engine retractable turboprops offer low operating economics that make them very popular with owner-pilots and business operators alike. These are serious pres­surized traveling machines that deliver a smooth, quiet ride high above most weather.

Piper Meridian. The 2015 Piper Meridian features multiple exterior paint schemes, four interior palettes and a three-screen G1000 avionics suite with synthetic vision. The Meridian combines low acquisition and operating costs with impressive performance---perfect for owner-operators. The cabin features six-place leather seating with ample baggage room behind the rear seats. Top off the tanks with 170 gallons of Jet A, and you can transport 559 pounds of payload up to 1,000 nm with a 45-minute reserve. With a maximum certified ceiling of FL300, it's possible to top most weather in pressurized comfort. In the mid-20s, the 500 shp PT6-42 helps achieve a respectable top speed of 260 KTAS. The Meridian can get in and out of a 2,438-foot field while clearing a 50-foot obstacle. Garmin GWX 68 onboard weather radar, GFC 700 autopilot and deice boots are standard. The option list includes XM Radio and Weather, TWAS, Stormscope and traffic-warning systems. The 2015 standard price is $2.219 million, which includes pilot training. The Meridian fleet size is approaching 600, and many owners can be found at the MMOPA owner-pilot organization (www.mmopa.org). Visit www.piper.com.

Daher-Socata TBM 900. With a top speed of 330 KTAS, the 2015 TBM 900 is the world's fastest production single-engine turboprop. The 900 is the result of an extensive aerodynamic refinement of the TBM 700/850 airframe that went from tip to tail to reduce drag and to improve airflow to the engine. The new TBM 900 includes a redesigned composite cowl, reconfigured exhaust stacks, composite winglets and a new Hartzell five-blade composite propeller. These improvements produce a top speed at FL280 of 330 KTAS and extend the range at economy cruise to an impressive 1,730 nm while sipping only 37 gph. A pilot door is standard, and the seating configuration is flexible. The cabin can be configured for a maximum of six or a more spacious four-seat layout that can accommodate up to 507 pounds of baggage. Maximum fuel capacity is 291 gallons. The maximum certified ceiling is FL310. The TBM 900 can comfortably operate out of runways as short as 2,840 feet (with a 50-foot obstacle.) The cockpit features a redesigned control yoke and new panel for enhanced visibility and human interface. A completely new electrical system allows semi-automatic engine starts. The center panel features a single control throttle coupled with a new torque limiter that allows the use of the full 850 hp on takeoff. Standard avionics include the three-screen Garmin G1000 with GFC 700 autopilot, Garmin GTS 820 traffic-warning system, Garmin TAWS, on-board GWX 68 weather radar and XM data weather link. Very popular among owner-pilots, the TBM fleet is over 680 with over 1.2 million operating hours. The 2015 fully equipped price is $3.599 million and $3.798 million with the Elite Package, which includes five years of warranty and tip-to-tail maintenance. Visit www.tbm.aero and www.tbmowners.org.

Pilatus PC-12/47 NG. The 2015 PC-12 is the best ever. The landing gear is fully electric with an electric motor that moves the gear through push rods eliminating all fluid. The system reduces maintenance and weight (13 pounds) while maintaining the high reliability of the earlier electro-hydraulic system. Exterior lighting is all LED for long life and low maintenance. In the cabin, the Pilatus has six interiors created by BMW Design Works. All feature premium materials including exotic woods, European leathers and fine cashmere. Up front, Pilatus offers the Connected Flight Deck to allow wireless connection between the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics package and mobile devices. Four apps allow wireless database updates (in about 20 minutes), uploadable flight-planning data, downloading maintenance and trend data, and the transmission of flight data for moving maps in the cabin. The huge cabin has room for up to a maximum of nine seats or a spacious six-seat executive configuration. The optional Wireless eConnect entertainment system works through an onboard media server with USB and WiFi inputs to access stored movies, music, photos, XM Satellite Radio and other content. The ability to reconfigure the cabin has made the PC-12 popular for executive transport, air cargo, air ambulance and special government missions. At maximum cruise of 280 KTAS, range is 1,573 nm and stretches to nearly 2,000 nm when slowed to 250 knots. The PC-12 also features a forward passenger air-stair door, a stowable enclosed lavatory and a large 52x52-inch rear cargo door. It can carry 1,029 pounds of payload with full fuel (402 gallons) and still operate out of a 2,650-foot runway while clearing a 50-foot obstacle. The maximum certified altitude is a weather-topping FL300. The 2015 fully equipped executive version goes for about $4.64 million. Visit www.pilatus-aircraft.com and www.pilatusowners.com.

MULTI-ENGINE TURBOPROPS

Multi-engine turboprops offer twin-engine redundancy, reliability and excellent performance---generally without the need for a type rating.

Beechcraft King Air C90GTx. With well over 7,100 King Airs racking up over 60 million flight hours, Textron Aviation now owns one of the most successful GA turboprops in history. Although it's the baby of the bunch, the C90GTx delivers very respectable payload and performance numbers. For 2015, the C90GTx features even better takeoff and landing distances, improved handling characteristics and enhanced passenger experience. New features include Hartzell swept blade props with a 30-degree blade sweep and a 96-inch diameter arc. That's a six-inch increase over last year's model. That reduces takeoff distance by 23% to 1,984 feet at MTOW. Dual aft body strakes increase directional stability at low speeds while improving aircraft handling characteristics and ride quality. That result is a slower approach speed and a 10% shorter landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle of only 2,160 feet. A new high-speed nose tire improves tire lifetime. The C90GTx features composite winglets that look great and improve both climb performance and fuel efficiency. With dual PT6A-135, 550 hp engines, the C90GTx can climb to FL300, has a 272 KTAS top speed and can transport four passengers 1,127 nm with NBAA reserves. Payload with the tanks filled with 384 gallons of Jet A is an impressive 750 pounds. The spacious cabin can accommodate eight to nine (including crew) and features a 48-cubic-foot, in-flight accessible, interior baggage area that can handle up to 350 pounds. Throughout the cabin, 26 dynamic sound dampers are electronically tuned to damp propeller noise and produce an amazingly quiet ride. Passengers are treated to large, fully adjustable leather seats with plenty of shoulder room, light and luxury. Up front, the 2015 cockpit features the capable three-screen Rockwell Collins Proline 21 avionics package with enhanced displays along with TWR-850 weather radar with four-color, six-range capability. The C90 series fleet size is over 2,000, and 2015 prices start around $3.9 million. Visit www.beechcraft.com.

Piaggio Aero Avanti EVO. The newly renamed Avanti EVO rewrites expectations for aviation elegance, economics and performance. It combines Italian style and advanced aerodynamics to create an airborne work of art that pampers passengers in the world's fastest twin turboprop. The small rear wings, drooped forward wings and lifting fuselage all produce lift and reduce drag while maximizing cabin size. With a maximum speed of 402 knots (at FL310), the EVO isn't only fast, but it's significantly more efficient with lower carbon emissions than most jet aircraft. At the maximum certified ceiling of FL410, the range is an impressive 1,720 nm with four passengers with FAA IFR reserves. The spacious cabin is nearly tall enough for standing and features six large leather seats with materials and finishes worthy of an Italian super car. The Avanti can maintain a comfortable 6,600-foot cabin altitude (9 psi differential) at FL410, and there's 44.15 cubic feet of dedicated baggage space. The twin pusher PT6A-66B turboprops send exhaust, heat and noise out the back, keeping the five-blade props clear of ice while creating a cabin environment that's quieter than most jets. Fill the tanks with 3,226 pounds of Jet A, and you can still load an impressive 1,050 pounds of payload and get in and out of a 3,282-foot runway. Improvements include anti-lock brakes and low-maintenance landing gear, all LED lighting and a new steering system. Visibility from the cockpit is excellent, and the capable ProLine 21 avionics system provides state-of-the-art navigation capability. The Avanti fleet is approaching 250 and has racked up well over 800,000 flight hours. The 2015 price will be around $7.2 million, which pits the EVO against higher-end light jets in price, size and performance. Visit www.piaggioaero.com.

SINGLE-PILOT LIGHT JETS

Light jets offer incredible performance, cruise high in the flight levels above most weather and come equipped with more technology than many airliners. They aren't cheap, and they all require a type rating, but if you've got the means, the skills and a mission, it's hard to beat jet travel. The safety record for single-pilot jets is outstanding, and there are a number of options if you want to fly one on your own.

Eclipse Aerospace EA-550. It may be a small jet, but the fully certified EA-550 has big capability. It can climb directly to FL410 and cruise at 375 knots while burning a total of only 59 gph, making it the most economical twinjet on the market. Top the tanks with 251 gallons, and you can transport 636 pounds 1,125 nm with NBAA reserves. Short fields are no problem since the EA-550 can get into and out of a 2,790-foot field while clearing a 50-foot obstacle. Standard anti-lock brakes provide powerful stopping power, and optional auto throttles with under and over speed protection reduce pilot workload. The interior can accommodate up to six seats with 16 cubic feet of pressurized baggage space. The cockpit features the Avio IFMS avionics suite supplied by Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S). The three-screen system features dual keyboards, full system synoptics along with support for synthetic vision and enhanced vision system (EVS). Numerous options let customers customize each airplane according to their needs. It's good to know that the entire Eclipse fleet of 275 aircraft has racked up an impressive 260,000 hours of accident-free operations. The 2015 base price is $2.895 million. With auto-throttles, color radar, TAS, sixth seat, TAWs, iridium phone and copilot SDU, the typical price will be about $3.1 million. Visit www.eclipse.aero and www.eclipsejetpilots.org.

Cessna Citation Mustang. With a fleet of over 452 aircraft that have racked up nearly 450,000 flight hours, the Citation Mustang has been a very successful entry-level jet, and it's easy to understand why. With its enviable safety record, the Mustang boasts easy single-pilot operations, low operating cost, exceptional reliability, outstanding field performance and great passenger comfort. The cabin features spacious four-place club seating, side tables and a curtained lavatory. Top the tanks with 385 gallons, load 765 pounds of payload and the Mustang can climb directly to its max-certified altitude of FL410 in only 27 minutes. The Mustang can climb at over 3,000 fpm and achieves a normal cruise speed of 340 KTAS. The maximum IFR range is 1,206 nm. Baggage compartments in the nose, cabin and tail provide 63 cubic feet of space with capacity to handle up to 718 pounds. Standard anti-lock brakes help the Mustang operate out of runways as short as 3,100 feet (SL BFL@ MTOW). The well-integrated cockpit features a three-screen G1000 system with the GFC 700 autopilot. Deice boots keep the airframe free of ice while the GWX 68 weather radar and XM Weather link capability provide weather data. Options include XM entertainment, Garmin chart options and satellite phones. Operating costs are under $3.00/nm (at $5.50/gal fuel). The 2015 base price will be about $3.3 million. Visit www.cessna.com and www.citationjetpilots.com.

Cessna Citation M2. With nearly 40 aircraft in the fleet, the Citation M2 brings new life to the successful CJ1+ airframe while creating a step-up path for Mustang owners. Winglets and other aerodynamic improvements, along with new Williams FJ44-1AP-21 engines, produce a maximum cruise speed of 404 KTAS with a max IFR range of 1,580 nm. The M2 can climb directly to its ceiling of FL410 in only 24 minutes while operating out of runways as short as 3,210 feet (SL BFL@ MTOW). Full fuel payload is 704 pounds with seating for up to eight (pilot+pax) and maximum baggage capacity up to 725 pounds. The cabin features a fully enclosed rear lavatory, fully adjustable leather seating and the optional Heads Up Clairity Wireless integrated audio/video entertainment system. Options also include provisions for both global and domestic inflight Internet service. The cockpit has been optimized for accessibility, comfort and convenience, including ample storage space for iPads and phones along with USB charging ports. The panel features the three-screen Garmin G3000 Intrinzic avionics package with dual touch-screen keypads. The WAAS-certified G3000 includes split-screen capability, advanced vertical navigation capability, standby flight plans and advanced FMS features. The 2015 base price should be around $4.4 million. Visit www.cessna.com and www.citationjetpilots.com.

Embraer Phenom 100E. Since the first delivery in 2008, Embraer has delivered well over 300 Phenom 100s, and that makes sense. It's the fastest jet in its class, the spacious, modern cabin features large windows and operating costs are lower than most turboprops. The 2015 model features multifunction spoilers to make speed control in the air and on the ground easier than ever. Buyers can choose from eleven interior themes with reclining leather seats that allow swiveling and lateral adjustment for the ultimate comfort in flight. There are also a number of refreshment and storage cabinet options. With its six- to eight-place interior, the smallest Phenom offers more than entry-level performance. P&WC PW617F-E engines with 1,695 pounds of thrust produce a top speed of 390 KTAS (0.70M MMO). Top the tanks with 419 gallons of Jet A, load 780 pounds of passengers and bags, climb directly to FL410 and the Phenom 100E can travel an impressive 1,178 nm with 100 nm NBAA reserves. There's plenty of room for bags with 73 cubic feet of cargo space. In back, there's a fully enclosed lav. Up front, the easily accessible cockpit features the Garmin G1000 Prodigy flight deck with three 12.4-inch screens. Onboard weather radar, XM Weather, charts, TWAS, WAAS capability, system synoptic displays and traffic alerting all make single-pilot operations safe and manageable. Wing and tail deice boots provide ice protection. The Phenom 100E features numerous standard features like LED lighting, trailing link gear, low carbon emissions and brake-by-wire anti-lock braking. Base price is about $4.1 million and typically equipped price is about $4.7 million. Visit www.embraerexecutivejets.com and www.phenom.aero.

Honda HA-420 HondaJet. Honda recently announced that they expect certification of their $4.5 million HondaJet sometime during Q1 2015 with customer deliveries to happen shortly afterward. The company certainly has the industrial muscle to do it right, and they've logged over 2,000 flight hours in four jets as a part of their certification program. With over 100 orders on the books, the company will soon be conducting customer demonstration rides in over a dozen cities in the U.S. The six- to seven-seat HondaJet has a top speed of 420 knots (at FL300), climbs at nearly 4,000 fpm, has a maximum certified ceiling of FL430 and boasts a 1,180 nm range with NBAA IFR reserve. The FADEC-controlled, 2,050-pound thrust, Honda HF120 engines were developed in partnership with GE and are mounted on the top of each wing to increase cabin space and reduce noise. The highly efficient engines coupled with laminar flow wings and nose help make the HondaJet the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class. Takeoff distance is less than 4,000 feet, and landing distance is less than 3,000 feet. External baggage volume is 57 cubic feet in the tail and nine cubic feet in the nose. Up front, the HondaJet features a three-screen Garmin G3000 avionics suite. With 11 customer aircraft already on the production line, you should expect to see a HondaJet appearing on a ramp near you sometime in 2015. Visit www.hondajet.honda.com.