The Most Fuel-Efficient Aircraft

FLYING looks at the differences in miles per gallon among piston, turbine and jet models.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, April 01, 2022 at 06:10 AM ET

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The Cirrus SR20 typically gets 12.9 nautical miles per gallon. [Photo: Cirrus Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

Fuel economy is a critical factor for pilots, influencing operational costs and control over flight profiles, though achieving it in aircraft often involves compromises in other areas like speed or capacity.
The article identifies specific aircraft models across a range of categories, from light sport aircraft (LSAs) to midsize jets, that demonstrate superior fuel efficiency (nautical miles per gallon).
It highlights a wide spectrum of efficiency, with LSAs like the Aeromarine Merlin PSA achieving up to 28.3 nmpg, while larger, faster aircraft like the Cirrus SF50 jet can still offer impressive efficiency for their class at 6.0 nmpg.

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Many pilots enjoy talking about fuel economy because it is among the factors in aviation over which we have some degree of control. Carefully adjusting power settings and other elements of our flight profiles can cut fuel expenses significantly.

It also pays to consider fuel consumption when buying an aircraft. Like cars, some airplanes seem to sip fuel while others guzzle. More so than with cars, though, finding an airplane with a minimal appetite for fuel often comes with compromises that affect your mission or even scuttle it altogether.