Jonathan Welsh

Cessna’s Skylane raised the standard of general aviation when it debuted in the mid-1950s.

Cessna’s 400 Corvalis was part of a plan to bring the high performance of Lancair experimental kitplanes to the certified aircraft market.

Cessna’s 150 succeeded the Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champs, and other pre-World War II taildraggers as the standard civilian training aircraft.

Cessna developed the pressurized 210 Centurion in part to take advantage of the extra speed sometimes available for thin air and favorable winds at higher altitudes.

Robust, versatile six-seat workhorse combines stable, easy handling with good all-around performance for transporting people and baggage.

Mooney’s M20 series of piston singles is known for impressive speed through efficiency. The 305 Rocket conversion is for pilots who long for turboprop-style performance.

Cirrus designed a convenient system for mounting the Starlink Mini transceiver in a range of its SR-series aircraft.

Beechcraft’s Baron B55 helped define the light-twin category that added significantly to the glamor of general aviation during the 1960s and ’70s.

Sometimes overshadowed by the more powerful, faster SR22, the Cirrus SR20 still offers pilots a lot of modern technology and amenities.

While pilots tend to think of the Skyhawk as a trainer, it also can be an ideal personal aircraft for family travel and commuting.