Single-engine aircraft are popular among private aviation enthusiasts for several reasons, and they will be among the most commonly spotted planes at any general aviation facility. For starters, single-engine propellor-driven aircraft are the ideal starter aircraft for young pilots due to their simplicity and standard design, making them popular among flight schools in the United States.
Photo: Real_life_photo | Shutterstock
Nonetheless, dozens of private operators also have come to rely on single-engine aircraft, such as those that tow banners, deliver mail, or perform other utility roles. Furthermore, with a single engine requiring less fuel and less maintenance, these planes are very reliable and economical to operate. As a result, they are often favorites of everyday general aviation
enthusiasts as well.
One industry leader has dominated the market
One company, Cessna, which is in and of itself a subsidiary of the larger aerospace and defense conglomerate Textron, has come to dominate the market for single-engine recreational and utility aircraft. The most-produced civilian aircraft of all time, the Cessna 172, was built by the company, and it has sold over 43,000 to customers since the plane first rolled off of its assembly lines in the 1950s. The company also produced multiple other successful single-engine general aviation aircraft, with additional details available in the table below:
|
Aircraft type: |
Number produced as of 2024: |
|---|---|
|
Cessna 182 |
23,000+ |
|
Cessna 206 |
8,500+ |
|
Cessna 208 |
2,500+ |
Cessna has struck gold over the decades by carefully timing the market entry of its single-engine aircraft to meet the needs of customers. However, there have been dozens of other single-engine general aviation aircraft to hit the market over the past few decades. Let’s take a deeper look at single-engine propellor-driven aircraft beyond Cessna’s offerings.
A popular foreign-made alternative to Cessna-made single-engine aircraft
Produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries, a manufacturer based in both Austria and Canada, the Diamond DA40 Star is a four-seat, single-engine light general aviation plane that first took to the skies in 1997. Developed from an earlier two-seat design, the DA20, the DA40 takes extensive advantage of light composite materials and has consistently evolved since first entering the market. The planemaker has released all the following variants:
- DA40-180
- DA40-XL
- DA40-FP
- DA40-XLS
- DA40 CS
- DA40 NG
Each of these different variants offers unique engine options, propellers, and avionics, the latest of which features the Garmin G1000 fully-glass cockpit. The aircraft has also made a name for itself by maintaining a strong safety record, with a lower incident rate in comparison to competing single-engine aircraft like the Cirrus SR22.
Photo: Renatas Repcinskas | Shutterstock
The DA40 comes in variants with different powerplants, including some that are powered by Lycoming engines that are manufactured by Textron, the parent company that owns rival Cessna. Other versions come with diesel-burning engines. In 2021, Diamond Aircraft launched a full-electric version of the DA40, the eDA40, and targeted it at flight training schools seeking to lower operating costs, according to the planemaker. This project has also become one of general aviation’s most promising sustainability initiatives.
With a simple yet efficient design and an impressive safety reputation, it is unsurprising that the DA40 has become popular with general aviation operators around the globe. Despite this, just over 2,000 have rolled off of manufacturer assembly lines, far below the numbers of Cessna aircraft.
Nonetheless, the plane has entered service with flight schools, as well as with several military operators. Notably, 20 DA40 aircraft are used by the United States Air Force Academy, according to Doss Aviation.
Other popular single-engine general aviation aircraft
The DA40 is not the only popular non-Cessna single-engine aircraft to have made a significant impact on the market. Another one of the most successful light aircraft ever produced is the Piper PA-28 Cherokee, a plane that was designed by Florida-based Piper Aircraft for air taxi, flight training, and recreational uses.
The all-metal single-engine unpressurized aircraft can be recognized by its low-set wings and tricycle undercarriage, as well as a single door on the right-hand side of the aircraft. This civil utility aircraft has been on the market since 1960, and manufacturer Piper has succeeded in selling over 30,000 of the type.
Another single-engine aircraft to have made a name for itself on the global stage is the Cirrus SR20, a similar single-engine aircraft that has been constantly produced by the Duluth, Minnesota-based manufacturer since 199. The plane was the first ever to be both built and certified by the manufacturer, and it has been one of its most successful, with over 1,800 sold.
The aircraft is built much like the PA-28 Cherokee, with low-mounted wings, a single-piston engine, and tricycle landing gear, which cannot be retracted. The plane can also accommodate four or five passengers, depending on the configuration. The SR20, alongside its successor, the SR22, is among the first general aviation aircraft ever to be equipped with an emergency parachute.
This safety system allows pilots to safely lower the airplane to the ground following a loss of control or any kind of critical flight failure. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this system is officially referred to as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The parachute is also available on the manufacturer’s SF50 Vision Jet, a single-engine business jet also offered by the manufacturer.
There are multiple other single-engine general aviation aircraft that should also be mentioned, including the Mooney M20, the Beechcraft Bonanza, and the Tecnam P2010. Despite the impressive diversity of single-engine utility and recreational aircraft, Cessna’s offerings continue to be some of the all-time bestsellers.