Key Takeaways:

The Spirit SE-1 aircraft made a highly positive impression at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, charming attendees with its attractive design and performance.
It stands out for its remarkably affordable price of $69,500 ready-to-fly in 2025, with over 20 examples expected to be available by fall 2025.
Key specifications include a 42 HP Spirit V2 engine, a cruise speed of 100 mph, an estimated 400-mile range, and highly efficient fuel consumption of 1.8-2.2 gallons per hour.

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Question: Who knew? Answer: Almost no one.

When not one but four of these handsome, shiny aircraft flew into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 from Colorado, lots of attendees were instantly charmed. Then they discovered the price.

[Courtesy: Spirit Engineering]

By the show’s end, Spirit had proven to be a full-fledged crowd-pleaser. I was one of those enthusiasts and I have covered the affordable aviation segment for many years.

An article will appear in the print version of Plane & Pilot magazine in November, but here are two things to further stimulate your interest: technical specifications and a video recorded with two Spirit engineers at the big summer celebration of flight. Enjoy!

Oh, that price? How about this in 2025…? Only $69,500 ready-to-fly. More than 20 examples are well along in production and will be ready by fall 2025. I urge interested persons to act fast as these might get snapped up.

For more info can be found here.

Technical Specifications

Spirit SE-1

(All information provided by the manufacturer, Spirit Engineering)
Gross Weight — 740 pounds
Empty Weight — 440 pounds
Useful Load — 300 pounds
Payload (with full fuel) — 252 pounds
Wingspan — 23 feet, 7 inches
Length — 18 feet
Height — 6 feet, 8 inches
Max Pilot Weight — 275 pounds
Cabin Width — 25 inches
Baggage Space — about 3 cubic feet, max 20 pounds
Cruise Speeds at 75% power — 100 mph (87 knots)
Max speed: 112 mph (97 knots)
Takeoff Roll — 500 feet at 740 pounds; sea level, standard day
Landing Roll — 800 feet
Climb Rate — 750 feet per minute
Engine — Spirit V2; air-cooled V-twin cylinders, direct drive prop
Engine Displacement — 79 cubic inches
Engine Weight — 100 pounds
Power Output — 42 horsepower at 3,000 rpm
Fuel Capacity — 8 gallons, 48 pounds
Fuel Burn — 1.8 to 2.2 gallons per hour
Range — about 400 miles (no reserve)

A few more images for those truly interested