General Aviation Airplanes

Pros Cons
  • Go fast
  • Travel cross-country
  • Take more than one passenger
  • Rentals & flying clubs available
  • Leaseback possibilities
  • Relatively low insurance cost
  • Expensive
    • To buy
    • To maintain
    • To house
    • To train for
  • Private pilot license required
  • 3rd-class medical needed
  • Limited visibility

Sample GA Airplanes   (Click on the picture to go to their website.)

  Cirrus SR22
Cirrus SR22
Cessna 172
Cessna 172
Ercoupe
Ercoupe
Purchase cost
  • New
  • Used

$700,000
$300,000+

$350,000
$50,000+

n/a
$20,000+
Capabilities
  • # of seats
  • Cruising speed

4
210 mph

4
140 mph

2
95 mph
Training
  • FAA license needed
  • Medical?
  • Training cost
  • Demo flight?
  • Nearest instructor

Private
3rd-class/Basic Med
$10,000+
Easily
Most airports

Private
3rd-class/Basic Med
$10,000+
Easily
Most airports

Private
3rd-class/Basic Med
$10,000+
No
Most airports
Can I rent?
  • During intial training
  • To solo
  • After license

Yes, but not economical
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

No
No
No
Where to store it Hangar Hangar Hangar

For instruction and demo flights, see our Instructors page.

Popular GA Airplanes

Cirrus SR22
Cirrus SR22
Cessna 150
Cessna 150
Piper Cherokee 140
Piper Cherokee 140
Citabria
Citabria
Ercoupe
Ercoupe
AirCam
AirCam

Further Information

  • The AOPA training guide lays out the whole process of getting an FAA pilot's license for airplanes at either the Sport Pilot or Private Pilot level.