The Future May Be Electric, but Pistons Are Still King

Good morning! As far as aviation news goes, this week is hard to ignore the obvious. September 11th is a day that changed aviation and the course of history as we know it. It’s a day that speaks to our shared commitment of defending our country and our way of life, while honoring the bravery of those who gave everything.

-Rob Roy ✈

In today’s email:

• From Singles to Twins, There’s a Piston Airplane for Everyone

• Around the Skies: WWII warbirds & Freedom Fox for sale, Bombardier provides base for Learjet restoration project, Rocky Mountain Navy air show, Florida airports prepare to impose landing fees

• PilotTube: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Planes

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Why Piston-Powered Planes Still Dominate the Skies

Ah, the sweet hum of piston-powered aircraft — those trusty steeds that have carried us through the skies long before anyone even uttered "electric aircraft." Sure, electric might be the cool kid on the block these days, but if you want reliable, versatile and just “plane” fun, pistons are where it’s at. From your weekend joyride to serious cross-country hauls, these planes are the backbone of aviation.

Take Cirrus, for example. In 2023, they celebrated delivering their 9,000th SR-series aircraft, a line that’s become almost synonymous with luxury and performance. Whether it’s the SR20, SR22 or the turbocharged SR22T, these sleek birds are not only a status symbol, but they’ve also made a name for themselves as capable cross-country machines. And Cirrus isn’t just resting on its laurels — they’ve been quietly working with General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) to find a replacement for that dreaded leaded fuel. When the fuel sunsets, you can bet Cirrus pilots will be flying green in style.

Then there’s Diamond, with its futuristic-looking DA50 RG. It’s kind of like the Beechcraft Bonanza’s cooler, younger cousin — complete with retractable gear and a diesel engine that runs on sustainable aviation fuel. The DA50 seats five comfortably and its handling is so smooth you’d think it was built for beginners. But make no mistake, this thing is a performance beast, stepping up to the plate with the power to haul you and your gear on some serious cross-country flights without breaking a sweat. The icing on the cake? It still has the slow-speed handling that makes Diamonds a favorite in the training world.

Speaking of training, Cessna is out here playing the long game. Their 172 Skyhawk, 182 Skylane and 206 Stationair are still dominating flight school fleets and small airports everywhere. In 2022 alone, Cessna delivered 151 Skyhawks — that’s a lot of nervous student pilots sweating out their landings in arguably the most forgiving trainer on the planet. And let’s not forget the Skylane and Stationair, which offer more power and utility for those looking to carry more gear.

Even Tecnam is stepping up with its P2010 Gran Lusso. This luxury four-seater is the Italian automaker’s answer to those who want to fly in style and it’s resonating. In 2022, Tecnam delivered 46 of these beauties, showing that there’s a market for people who want a little Ferrari in their flight deck.

Whether you're flying an aerobatic Extra NG or tackling backcountry strips in a CubCrafters XCub, there’s a piston for every mission. So, while electric aircraft may be the future, pistons aren’t going anywhere just yet — they’re still out here, making flying as fun as it’s always been.

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AROUND THE SKIES

Platinum Fighter Sales is offering some seriously rare World War II fighters, including a pristine 1940 Vickers Supermarine Spitfire IA and a 1941 Nakajima A6M-2 Zero. The Spitfire, painstakingly restored after spending decades buried on a French beach, has only 93 flight hours since its resurrection, while the Zero (hauled from a jungle in the Solomon Islands) took 60,000 hours and 14,000 parts to restore. Both are ready to take to the skies, assuming your bank account can handle the multi-million-dollar price tags.

The one and only Freedom Fox is for sale. It’s the most recognizable and iconic Kitfox out there, made famous by YouTuber Trent Palmer. This beauty is setup as the ultimate adventure machine and has literally everything you could ever want for STOL — almost the entire plane has been upgraded from its original form.

The Classic Lear Jet Foundation just scored a long-term agreement with Bombardier to keep restoring the first-ever delivered Lear Jet 23 in Wichita. Now housed in the old Learjet delivery hangar, this twin jet is getting a much-needed makeover, which involves untangling a mess of mystery wires and stripping down the fuselage — basically like giving a classic car a full-body spa treatment. With Bombardier’s backing and Wichita's support, this restoration is set to move faster and we might actually see this iconic jet back in the skies soon.

The 2024 Pikes Peak Regional Airshow brought big action to high-altitude Colorado Springs with a lineup that spanned from WWII classics like the P-38 Lightning to the Navy's Blue Angels showing off their precision. Even with temperatures soaring into the 90s, 30 aircraft dazzled the sold-out crowds, with everything from parachute teams to the always-impressive F-22 Raptor. Despite the heat sending some spectators for extra water, the vibe stayed friendly and fun — like a backyard BBQ, but with a “Fat Albert” C-130 flyby.

Florida airports are getting ready to charge landing fees and pilots aren’t thrilled. Starting October 1st, you could be hit with new fees just for touching down, thanks to a state deal with Virtower to track aircraft movements. While airport managers claim it’s to manage traffic, AOPA says it’ll hit flight schools and local pilots hard. So, if you thought Florida’s beaches were the only expensive landing spots, think again!

PilotTube

Some of the myths and misconceptions about planes are perfectly explained in this video.

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