PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - what is the most economical piston (single/twin) aircraft
Old 7th Mar 2013, 10:03
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phiggsbroadband
 
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Hi, for economy you would need to choose a Low Drag aircraft, so that the Thrust is most efficiently used... Hence a low fuel consumption.

This seems to point to a High L/D ratio, which is only available to Motor Gliders or powered Sailplanes, which achieve 30:1 and 45:1 respectively.
A typical Cessna has about 15:1 in comparison.

If you factor in the cost of hangerage, the detachable wings make for easy storage in a trailer. Also the cost of an annual service can be considerably less for Gliders, as there are so many less bits to go wrong.
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