I reject your conditions categorically.

It has to have a certain amount of seats and range to be "great?"

Nonsense.

The Piper J-3C-65 Cub is the greatest single engine airplane ever made. Both for what it did, but also for it's flying qualities.

The Cessna 172 is a close second for being a really good combination of easy handling, speed, range, comfort and affordability.

Subjective opinion of course, but the marketplace agrees with me. 10,000 Cubs and 45,000 (Yes, that's correct) Skyhawks delivered.

I'm nine months and 90 hours into Malibu ownership. It checks a lot of boxes, but I wonder if a Cessna TTx might be the sweet spot if you don't need 6 seats. I just love pressurization. So then maybe the Vitatoe P210?

Malibu weaknesses:
1. Low Va and history of structural failures
2. Weak air conditioning (87 model)
3. 43' wingspan

Strengths:
1. 15mpg at altitude, 200 knots TAS
2. Generous baggage front and back
3. Comfortable passenger cabin
4. Outstanding pressurization system @ 5.5psi

The Mooney Ovation also came to mind. But again, pressurization is missing.

The OP is asking to go 750 miles with 3+ people!

Nothwithstanding the Cub and 172's positive attributes and sales numbers, they are not the greatest single engine airplanes for that mission. Not even close.

besides, everyone knows a champ is far and away better than a cub

The title of the thread is “The greatest single engine airplane of them all.”

He goes on to condition that statement by attaching requirements. Blame me being an English major, but those conditions instantly negate his title.

The thread title should be “The greatest three passenger, 700 mile range single engine airplane”

besides, everyone knows a champ is far and away better than a cub

This is reflected in the market price for them now. Major run up in recent years!

Many are priced out from 182 ownership now.

Mike C.

Agree, the title should be changed to something along the lines of the greatest plane for the mission.
But it's good clickbait I suppose!

The title of the thread is “The greatest single engine airplane of them all.”

He goes on to condition that statement by attaching requirements. Blame me being an English major, but those conditions instantly negate his title.

The thread title should be “The greatest three passenger, 700 mile range single engine airplane”

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 182 partnership but have been lamenting the lack of speed compared to others. A few responses on this thread have eased my decision!

Well if we can reject conditions categorically then my vote is for the Pitts S-2C. It still carries 2, and maybe a really small toothbrush, and 200nm in that thing feels like 750 in anything else.

OTOH, we just spent the last few days traveling from CO around SD and NE and our 182 was awesome. Easy to fly, easy to land, generally reliable and affordable to operate. Sure, it sucks flying into a headwind but that just meant I got to log 8 hours instead of the 6 I would have in something faster.

I looked pretty hard at early Mooney Ovations a few years ago. That airplane has serious legs for the money and with my, er, diminutive stature I can fold myself up into a Mooney quite easily.

I have frequently said I own the best plane in the hangar. I then qualify it by saying the owners of all the other planes in the hangar could rightly say the same thing.

The best plane is entirely mission dependent. If I wanted to do aero’s my plane would be the worst in the hangar.

As it happens my plane meets the OP’s requirements other than the 750 miles. I generally plan on a maximum leg time of 3.5 hours. Nice to stretch legs and have a toilet break, fuel up and head off again. At 145-150 knots it’s not fast, but fast enough.

Depends on the airplane given the multitude of STC’s available. My 182Q has the 252hp O-470TS, and all of the Knots2U speed fairings. I do 153-155 KTAS all day at 12.5gph. It’s one great aspect of the aircraft- that you have tons of choices.

For 750 NM or more with 3 passengers, I would want a Cessna 421, 414, or P Baron. I didn't see anything requiring single engine in the post.

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