Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

The rich can dream of jets and warbirds. There were only five stall-related accidents, most on high density altitude takeoffs at or near gross weight. Even though the CFI immediately firewalled the throttle, a wingtip hit the ground and ended the flight. The rest of us fantasize about swinging a Piper Cherokee.

Approach

AV Web

JULY 1, 2025

Before anything else, these are single-engine, unpressurized two-seat lightweights with a max gross weight of 1320 pounds. Check that against the max gross of a Piper Malibu at roughly 4300 pounds, or a Beech A36 Bonanza at around 3650 pounds or a Cessna 150 at 1600 pounds gross. Same for gliders.

Gross Weight

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

But I have maintained 5000 feet at 6000 pounds gross weight,” notes Ross. Pretty much the only metal parts are the landing gear legs, stainless firewalls, engine mounts, engines and hardware. A significant investment in heavy, water-jet cut steel tooling means repeatedly accurate wings come off the Composite Creations table.

Airplanes