Types of Recreational Aircraft

Single Engine Single engine propeller planes are the most common types of recreational aircraft. There are many types, styles and configurations of single engine recreational aircraft. They are smaller, and so they are more easily used for personal recreational use. These planes are also used for work, such as in backcountry areas or other regions, like islands, where the only other transportation is by boat.

Twin Prop Twin engine propeller aircraft carry more weight in the form of passengers or cargo. They are more commonly used as passenger airliners than single engine planes because they can carry more passengers and the weight of more luxurious surroundings. As with single engine planes, they come in a variety of styles and equipped for a multitude of tasks.

Amphibious Amphibious aircraft are planes that can take off from a stretch of waterway as opposed to needing a runway. They have large pontoons and wheels instead of having only wheels. These airplanes are most commonly used to travel to backcountry areas where there is little or no open space other than body of water, and to islands, where there might not be land enough for a runway. Most of these planes because of the inefficiency created by the pontoons are used for work and not play.

Experimental Experimental aircraft are used for science and for sport. Often unique and unorthodox, they are used for research, and for recreation. Because they are experimental and are created in limitless configurations, and designs, there are not limited to any specific types. There have been many pioneers in the field of experimental aircraft, including Bert Rutan, recently famous for his design of Space Ship One, which won the X-prize, Jim Bede,