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 through flight technique and long-term expenses through aircraft selection.
Achieving high fuel efficiency in light aircraft often involves compromises in cabin space, useful load, or cruising speed.
Despite these trade-offs, the article identifies specific aircraft models across various categories, from LSAs to midsize jets, that strike an optimal balance between speed and fuel consumption for superior range.
These top-performing aircraft demonstrate significant differences in nautical miles per gallon, indicating inherent efficiency advantages in certain models within each category.

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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.