Say, something looks a little funny here...(And it's NOT me !! :)
While shuffling around the flight line one day, I took a break from looking at my shoes and belly button, and happened to look up. Not quite at the stars, as it was daytime. There is a subtle danger with when and where one looks- I had a friend who would fall asleep in a car with his eyes open. Fortunately, this was only when he was riding, rather than driving. I've heard it said that such things are a symptom of insanity. (Which might explain his choice of friends... or render a verdict on my conversational skills).
Surfing the web a bit, it would appear that- no, it is not a sign of insanity, but a neurological abnormality. Reckon some misconception like that is how the Salem witch trials started. (It was kinda spooky though). Fortunately, driving into something wasn't a danger for my friend- but staring into the sun was. Anyway- I was more-or-less awake (I doubt if my boss would appreciate a helpful website I found while researching my friend's problem: "How to Rest With Your Eye's Open"), and not staring into the sun, but nonetheless, what I saw rather started me into a heightened sense of awareness; I happened to look up at the wing of a Dash-8.
And, by golly, it was a rather odd sight. Such a long airplane, and a reasonably long wingspan- but a markedly short-cord wing.
I had flown on a Dash-8 over the holidays, and was modestly impressed. Or if you prefer, modestly impressed it wasn't as bad as I expected: equivalent to a typical RJ in passenger "comfort", but at least it had a certain quaintness about it. It was fairly fast (perhaps a 25% longer trip time on the 400 nm one-way journey), and yes, noisier- even though it was the "Q" model with active noise cancellation.
I'm no aerodynamicist, but for years (like, decades), I've heard "how much more efficient a turboprop is" than a jet. I don't know why that is supposed to be true- but after contemplating the seemingly high aspect ratio of the Dash-8 wing, I wondered if that was a key element.
Aspect Ratio is defined as the wingspan-squared divided by wing area. This gets a little tricky when one considers what is "wing area"- the parts that jut out from the fuselage, or should the fuselage area that "connects the wings" be included in area. I believe this is called "gross area" (as opposed to net area excluding the fuselage area between the wings), and it is what I tried to use for all the comparisons. (Some of the data was vague, but I did my best to maintain consistency- please point out any corrections to individual aircraft if you see them).
In general, a wide wingspan, and small area (short cord) yield a high aspect ratio, and higher efficiency, with less induced drag. There are some complications though(fuel area, wing bending loads, flight control packaging).
I had been thinking of a typical jet as having an aspect ration of around 8; which turns out to be not such a bad estimation. I was considerably surprised in checking a multitude of aspect ratios, with the high placement of turboprops. I did a relatively thorough comparison of a wide variety, and 250 aircraft (see list at the end), and I was reasonably astonished at the Aspect Ratio placement of regional airliner turboprops: below are the two dozen highest aspect ratio airplanes. The turboprop commuter aircraft fell neatly between a reasonably capable older sailplane (Schweizer 1-26), and the Lockheed U2: quite surprising, to me anyway.
As VLJ fans (of sorts), I thought it interesting to note the Eclipse 500 aspect ratio is approx. 9.69, and the Cessna Mustang a 8.89.
Interestingly, the Boeing 787-8 has an aspect ratio of approx 11.12, versus 8-to-9 for other Boeing contemporary models. Airbus models were generally 9-to-10 (except for the A380, 7.52; perhaps structural constraints- especially wing bending loads for such a heavy airplane, kept the wingspan shorter.
| Manufacturer | Model | Name/Comments | A.R.(gross) |
| Rutan | Model 76 | Voyager (non-stop prop) | 33.85 |
| Scaled Composites | Model 311 | Global Flyer (non-stop SEJ) | 32.49 |
| Northrop | RQ-4A | Global Hawk | 25.01 |
| Schleicher | ASW28 | Sail Plane | 21.42 |
| General Atomics | MQ-1 | Predator | 19.23 |
| Grob | G-102 | Astir (sailplane) | 18.27 |
| Schweizer | S1-26 | Sailplane | 15.17 |
| Lockheed | RQ-3 | Dark Star | 14.83 |
| DeHaviland | DHC-8-300 | Twin Turboprop | 13.39 |
| Sonex | Xenos | homebuilt sailplane | 13.22 |
| DeHaviland | DHC-8-400 | Twin Turboprop | 12.79 |
| Hawker Siddeley | Hawker Siddeley HS 748 | Turboprop | 12.67 |
| Shorts | C-23A | Sherpa | 12.32 |
| Piaggio | PA-180 | Avanti (main wing) | 12.29 |
| ATR | ATR-72 | Twin Turboprop | 12.01 |
| Schweizer | S2-33 | Sailplane | 11.85 |
| Boeing | B-29 | Superfortress | 11.51 |
| Boeing | B787-8 | Airliner | 11.12 |
| ATR | ATR-42 | Twin Turboprop | 11.09 |
| Boeing | B-36 | Peacemaker | 11.09 |
| Diamond | DA42T | Twin Engine | 11.06 |
| Saab | 2000 | Twin Turboprop | 11.02 |
| Dornier | 328 | Twin Turboprop | 11.01 |
| Beech | 1900D | Puddle Hopper | 10.85 |
| Lockheed | U-2S | Spy Plane | 10.61 |
(There were some notable difficulties- swing wing geometries didn't list different wing areas for swept versus non-swept, although some reading suggests it's about a 10 percent reduction). Also, canard configurations are a bit more difficult to compare (should the canard be included in wing area? I did not). Also bi-planes (Wright Flyer) counted both wing areas, although I've read somewhere that a rule of thumb is only a 10% gain in effective wing area for a biplane.
It's kind of fun to look at the data sorted in other ways too (might have to download them and then open them- quirky Google docs issues- even quirkier operator...me!):
By Manufacturer/Model
By Wing Span
By Wing Area
By MTOW
By Wing Loading (at MTOW)
Oh, what the heck- Here's the whole list! (Just in case there are difficulties opening the Google doc files. Plus, I was curious to see how big of a spreadsheet I could upload. "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should ..." :)
| Manufacturer | Model | Name/Comments | Wingspan (ft) | Wing Area (sq.ft) | MTOW (lbs) | A.R.(gross) | Wing.Load |
| Wainfain | FMX-4 | Facetmobile (Homebuilt) | 15 | 214 | 740 | 1.05 | 3.46 |
| Birdman, Inc | Wing.suit | Darwin Special | 5 | 16 | 180 | 1.56 | 11.25 |
| Lockheed | SR-71 | Spy Plane | 55.6 | 1800 | 172000 | 1.72 | 95.56 |
| General Dynamics | F-16XL | (Cranked Arrow Wing) | 34.25 | 646 | 48000 | 1.82 | 74.31 |
| Aerospatiale/BAC | Concorde | SST | 84 | 3856 | 412000 | 1.83 | 106.85 |
| Tupolev | Tu-144 | SST | 94.5 | 4715 | 397000 | 1.89 | 84.19 |
| Dassault | 2000 | Mirage | 29 | 441.3 | 37500 | 1.91 | 84.98 |
| General Dynamics | F-111.swept | Aardvark | 32 | 525 | 100000 | 1.95 | 190.47 |
| Fairey | Delta 2 | Supersonic Research | 26.8 | 360 | 13884 | 1.99 | 38.56 |
| Convair | B-58 | Hustler | 56.8 | 1542 | 176890 | 2.09 | 114.71 |
| Northrop | YF-23 | Black Widow II | 43.6 | 900 | 62000 | 2.11 | 68.89 |
| Rockwell | Space.Shuttle | Space Brick | 78.06 | 2840 | 230000 | 2.15 | 80.98 |
| Boeing | X-32 | Ugliest Airplane Award | 36 | 590 | 38000 | 2.19 | 64.41 |
| Convair | F-102A | Delta Dagger | 38.1 | 661.5 | 31500 | 2.21 | 47.61 |
| Convair | F-106 | Delta Dart | 38.25 | 661.5 | 41830 | 2.21 | 63.23 |
| Vought | XF5U | Flying Pancake | 32.5 | 475 | 18772 | 2.22 | 39.52 |
| Lockheed | F-22 | Raptor | 44.5 | 840 | 83500 | 2.36 | 99.04 |
| Lockheed | F-104G | Starfighter | 21.75 | 196.1 | 29027 | 2.41 | 148.02 |
| Lockheed | F-117 | Nighthawk | 43.3 | 780 | 52500 | 2.41 | 67.31 |
| North American | X-15 | Rocket plane | 22.3 | 200 | 34000 | 2.49 | 170.01 |
| Grumman | F-14D.swept | Tomcat | 38 | 565 | 74350 | 2.56 | 131.59 |
| Lockheed | F-35A (USAF) | Lightning II | 35 | 460 | 70000 | 2.66 | 152.17 |
| Douglas | A-4 | Skyhawk | 26.5 | 259 | 24500 | 2.71 | 94.59 |
| Avro | Vulcan | British Flying Wing | 99.4 | 3554 | 170000 | 2.78 | 47.83 |
| McDonnell | F-4E | Phantom II | 38.4 | 530 | 61795 | 2.78 | 116.59 |
| McDonnell | F-15E | Strike Eagle | 42.8 | 608 | 81000 | 3.01 | 133.22 |
| Douglas | X-3 | Stiletto | 22.7 | 166.5 | 23840 | 3.09 | 143.18 |
| Republic | F-105 | Thunderchief | 34.9 | 385 | 52546 | 3.16 | 136.48 |
| Wright Bros | Flyer | (Bi-plane, calc. w/o canard) | 40.3 | 510 | 745 | 3.18 | 1.46 |
| Rockwell | B-1B | Lancer (wings swept) | 79 | 1950 | 477000 | 3.21 | 244.61 |
| Vought | F-8E | Crusader | 35.7 | 375 | 34000 | 3.39 | 90.67 |
| Mitsubishi | F-2 | (F-16 Agile Falcon) | 36.5 | 375 | 33000 | 3.55 | 88 |
| General Dynamics | F-16C | Falcon | 32.7 | 300 | 42300 | 3.56 | 141.01 |
| McDonnell | AV-8B | Harrier II | 30.25 | 243.4 | 31000 | 3.76 | 127.36 |
| North American | F-100D | Super Saber | 38.8 | 400 | 34832 | 3.76 | 87.08 |
| McDonnell/Gen Dyn | A-12 | Avenger II | 70.3 | 1308 | 80000 | 3.78 | 61.16 |
| Northrop | F-5E | Tiger II | 26.7 | 186 | 24664 | 3.83 | 132.61 |
| Grumman | X-29 | Forward Swept Wing | 27.2 | 188.8 | 17800 | 3.92 | 94.27 |
| McDonnell | F-18E | Super Hornet | 44.7 | 500 | 66000 | 3.99 | 132.01 |
| McDonnell | F-18C | Hornet | 40 | 400 | 51550 | 4.01 | 128.87 |
| North American | A-5 | Vigilante | 53 | 700 | 62953 | 4.01 | 89.93 |
| Vought | A-7E | Corsair II | 38.8 | 375 | 42000 | 4.01 | 112.01 |
| Northrop | T-38 | Talon | 26.25 | 170 | 12500 | 4.05 | 73.53 |
| McDonnell | F-101B | Voodoo | 39.7 | 368 | 52400 | 4.28 | 142.39 |
| North American | F-86F | Saber | 37 | 313.4 | 18152 | 4.37 | 57.92 |
| Sonex | Sonex | hombuilt | 22 | 98 | 1100 | 4.94 | 11.22 |
| Handley Page | B.1 | Victor | 110 | 2406 | 185000 | 5.03 | 76.89 |
| Grumman | A-6 | Intruder | 53 | 529 | 60626 | 5.31 | 114.61 |
| Grumman | EA-6B | Prowler | 53 | 529 | 61500 | 5.31 | 116.26 |
| Lockheed | JetStar II | Biz Jet | 54.9 | 542 | 44500 | 5.56 | 82.11 |
| Piper | PA-28-140 | Cherokee-fill in the blank | 30 | 160 | 2150 | 5.62 | 13.44 |
| Northrop | B-2 | Spirit | 172 | 5140 | 336500 | 5.76 | 65.47 |
| North American | T-39D | Saberliner | 44.5 | 342.1 | 17760 | 5.79 | 51.91 |
| Piper | PA-22 | Tri-Pacer | 29.3 | 147.5 | 2000 | 5.82 | 13.56 |
| Bell | X-1 | Rocket plane | 28 | 130 | 12250 | 6.03 | 94.23 |
| Beech | D35 | Bonanza | 32.8 | 178 | 2725 | 6.04 | 15.31 |
| General Dynamics | F-111.landing | Aardvark | 63 | 657.4 | 100000 | 6.04 | 152.11 |
| Grumman | AA-1 | Yankee | 24.5 | 98 | 1500 | 6.12 | 15.31 |
| Beech | G-36 | Bonanza | 33.5 | 181 | 3650 | 6.21 | 20.16 |
| Cessna | T-37 | Tweet | 33.8 | 183.9 | 6569 | 6.22 | 35.72 |
| Hawker Siddeley | HS 125-700 | Biz Jet | 47 | 353 | 25500 | 6.26 | 72.24 |
| ERCO | Ercoupe | Whatz-Zat | 30 | 142.6 | 1400 | 6.31 | 9.82 |
| BAE Systems | MRA4 | (Evolved DeHaviland Comet) | 127 | 2538 | 232315 | 6.36 | 91.53 |
| Gulfstream | G.450 | Biz Jet | 77.8 | 950 | 73900 | 6.37 | 77.79 |
| Wittman | W10 | Tailwind (Homebuilt) | 24 | 90 | 1425 | 6.4 | 15.83 |
| Convair | 990 | Coronado | 120 | 2250 | 253000 | 6.41 | 112.44 |
| Bede | BD-5A | Microjet | 14 | 30.5 | 700 | 6.43 | 22.95 |
| Fairchild-Republic | A-10 | Thunderbolt II (Warthog) | 57.5 | 506 | 50000 | 6.53 | 98.81 |
| Rockwell | 100 | Darter | 35 | 181 | 2250 | 6.77 | 12.43 |
| Cessna | I | Citation-fill in the blank | 43.5 | 278.5 | 11850 | 6.79 | 42.55 |
| Douglas | DC-10-15 | Airliner | 155.3 | 3550 | 455000 | 6.79 | 128.17 |
| Cessna | 310 | Twin prop | 35 | 179 | 4600 | 6.84 | 25.69 |
| Douglas | DC-10-40 | Airliner | 165.3 | 3958 | 555000 | 6.91 | 140.22 |
| Beech | B77 | Skipper | 30 | 129.8 | 1675 | 6.93 | 12.9 |
| Cessna | 150 | Commuter | 33.3 | 160 | 1600 | 6.93 | 10.01 |
| Cessna | Bravo | Citation-fill in the blank | 47.3 | 322.9 | 14800 | 6.93 | 45.83 |
| Bell | V-22 | Tilt Rotor, fixed-wing only | 45.8 | 301.4 | 60500 | 6.96 | 200.73 |
| Boeing | B747-300 | Airliner | 195.7 | 5500 | 833000 | 6.96 | 151.45 |
| Lockheed | L-1011-200 | TriStar | 155.3 | 3456 | 466000 | 6.98 | 134.84 |
| Piper | J-3 | Cub | 35.3 | 178.5 | 1220 | 6.98 | 6.83 |
| Boeing | KC-135R | Airliner | 130.9 | 2433 | 322500 | 7.04 | 132.55 |
| Boeing | B707-320B | Airliner | 145.75 | 3010 | 336000 | 7.06 | 111.63 |
| Hawker | 800 | Hawker 800 | 51.4 | 373.9 | 28000 | 7.07 | 74.89 |
| Boeing | B727-200 | Airliner | 108 | 1647 | 209500 | 7.08 | 127.21 |
| Beech | B55 | Baron | 37.8 | 199.2 | 5100 | 7.17 | 25.61 |
| Cessna | 337D | Skymaster | 38 | 201 | 4400 | 7.18 | 21.89 |
| Hawker | 4000 | Hawker 4000 | 61.8 | 530.8 | 39500 | 7.19 | 74.42 |
| Lear | 31 | Learjet | 43.67 | 264.8 | 15500 | 7.21 | 58.53 |
| Piper | PA-31-310 | Navajo | 40.7 | 229 | 6500 | 7.23 | 28.38 |
| Lear | Model 60 | Lear 60 | 43.8 | 264.8 | 23500 | 7.24 | 88.75 |
| Beech | B60 | Duke | 39.3 | 212.9 | 6775 | 7.25 | 31.82 |
| Ford | 5-AT | Trimotor ("Tin Goose") | 77.8 | 835 | 13500 | 7.25 | 16.17 |
| Grumman | F-14D.landing | Tomcat | 64 | 565 | 74350 | 7.25 | 131.59 |
| Piper | PA-24-260 | Commanche | 36 | 178 | 3200 | 7.28 | 17.98 |
| Douglas | DC-8-32 | Airliner | 142.4 | 2771 | 310000 | 7.32 | 111.87 |
| Terrafugia | Terrafugia | Flying Car | 27.5 | 103.1 | 1474 | 7.33 | 14.29 |
| Lear | Model 45 | Lear 45 | 47.8 | 311 | 21500 | 7.35 | 69.13 |
| Beech | B23 | Musketeer | 32.8 | 146 | 2400 | 7.37 | 16.44 |
| Northrop | YB-35 | Flying Wing (props) | 172 | 4000 | 209000 | 7.39 | 52.25 |
| Northrop | YB-49 | Flying Wing (jet) | 172 | 4000 | 193938 | 7.39 | 48.48 |
| Cessna | 182 | Skylane | 36 | 174 | 3100 | 7.45 | 17.82 |
| Cessna | 172 | Skyhawk | 36.1 | 174 | 2450 | 7.49 | 14.08 |
| Vickers | VC-10 | Airliner | 146.2 | 2851 | 334878 | 7.49 | 117.46 |
| Cessna | 162 | Skycatcher | 30 | 120 | 1320 | 7.51 | 11.01 |
| Airbus | A380 | Airliner | 261.6 | 9100 | 1300000 | 7.52 | 142.86 |
| Douglas | DC-8-63CF | Airliner | 148.4 | 2927 | 355000 | 7.52 | 121.28 |
| Mooney | M20TN | Acclaim | 36.4 | 175.7 | 3374 | 7.54 | 19.21 |
| McDonnell-Douglas | C-17 | Globemaster III | 169.8 | 3800 | 585000 | 7.59 | 153.95 |
| Piper | PA-39 | Twin Commanche | 36.8 | 178 | 3725 | 7.61 | 20.93 |
| Lockheed | L-1011-500 | TriStar | 164.3 | 3541 | 510000 | 7.62 | 144.03 |
| Lockheed | P-3 | Navy Patrol | 99.7 | 1300 | 142000 | 7.65 | 109.23 |
| Bombardier | CRJ-700 | Airliner | 76.3 | 760 | 75000 | 7.66 | 98.68 |
| Boeing | B747-400 | Airliner | 211.4 | 5825 | 910000 | 7.67 | 156.22 |
| Cessna | X | Biz Jet | 63.6 | 527 | 36400 | 7.67 | 69.07 |
| Gulfstream | G.550 | Biz Jet | 93.6 | 1137 | 91000 | 7.71 | 80.04 |
| Gulfstream | G.650 | Biz Jet | 99.6 | 1283 | 99600 | 7.73 | 77.73 |
| Boeing | B777-200ER | Airliner | 188.8 | 4605 | 470000 | 7.74 | 102.06 |
| Cessna | 210 | Centurion | 36.8 | 175 | 4000 | 7.74 | 22.86 |
| Piper | PA-42-720 | Cheyenne IIIA | 47.7 | 293 | 11200 | 7.76 | 38.22 |
| Bombardier | CL-300 | Challenger | 63.8 | 522 | 38850 | 7.79 | 74.42 |
| Cessna | Sovereign | Citation-fill in the blank | 63.1 | 510 | 30300 | 7.81 | 59.41 |
| Beech | 400A | Beechjet | 43.5 | 241.4 | 16100 | 7.84 | 66.69 |
| Hawker | 400 | (Beechjet/Diamondjet) | 43.5 | 241.4 | 16100 | 7.84 | 66.69 |
| Cessna | CJ-4 | Citation | 50.9 | 329.9 | 16950 | 7.85 | 51.38 |
| Cessna | 421C | Golden Eagle | 41.1 | 215 | 7450 | 7.86 | 34.65 |
| Embraer | ERJ-140LR | Regional Airliner | 65.8 | 550.9 | 46517 | 7.86 | 84.44 |
| Boeing | B737-200 | Airliner | 93 | 1097.5 | 115500 | 7.88 | 105.24 |
| McDonnell-Douglas | MD-11ER | Airliner | 169.5 | 3648 | 630500 | 7.88 | 172.83 |
| Cessna | 340A | Twin prop | 38.1 | 184 | 5990 | 7.89 | 32.55 |
| Boeing | B737-400 | Airliner | 94.7 | 1135 | 150000 | 7.91 | 132.16 |
| Cessna | SII | Citation | 52.2 | 342.5 | 15100 | 7.96 | 44.09 |
| Beech | B-76 | Dutchess | 38 | 181 | 3900 | 7.98 | 21.55 |
| Boeing | B757 | Airliner | 124.8 | 1951 | 272500 | 7.98 | 139.67 |
| Boeing | B767-300 | Airliner | 156.1 | 3050 | 315000 | 7.98 | 103.28 |
| Boeing | B767-300ER | Airliner | 156.1 | 3050 | 412000 | 7.98 | 135.08 |
| Cessna | V & Ultra | Citation-fill in the blank | 52.3 | 342.6 | 16300 | 7.98 | 47.58 |
| Lockeed | C-5B | Galaxy | 222.7 | 6200 | 840000 | 7.99 | 135.48 |
| Beech | Premier 1A | Biz Jet | 44.5 | 247 | 12500 | 8.02 | 50.61 |
| Cessna | 303 | Clipper/Crusader | 39 | 189.2 | 5150 | 8.04 | 27.22 |
| Airbus | A400M | Cargo | 139.1 | 2384 | 310852 | 8.12 | 130.39 |
| Lear | 23 | Learjet | 43.3 | 231 | 12500 | 8.12 | 54.11 |
| Bombardier | CRJ-1000 | Airliner | 85.9 | 883 | 91800 | 8.35 | 103.96 |
| Tupolev | Tu-95 | Bear | 167.7 | 3330 | 414500 | 8.45 | 124.47 |
| Boeing | B747-8i | Airliner | 224.6 | 5963 | 975000 | 8.46 | 163.51 |
| Cessna | XLS+ | Citation-fill in the blank | 56.3 | 371 | 20200 | 8.54 | 54.45 |
| Antonov | An-124 | Condor | 240.4 | 6760 | 893000 | 8.55 | 132.11 |
| Boeing | B-52 | Stratofortress | 185 | 4000 | 488000 | 8.56 | 122.01 |
| Douglas | DC-9-10 | Airliner | 89.4 | 934 | 90700 | 8.56 | 97.11 |
| Beech | C90GT | KingAir | 50.3 | 294 | 10100 | 8.61 | 34.35 |
| Mitsubishi | MU-2 | Twin Turboprop | 39.2 | 178 | 11575 | 8.63 | 65.03 |
| Antonov | An-225 | Mriya | 290.2 | 9744 | 1323000 | 8.64 | 135.78 |
| Bombardier | Global.ExpressXRS | Biz Jet | 94 | 1022 | 99500 | 8.65 | 97.36 |
| Cessna | 402C | Businessliner | 44.2 | 225.8 | 6850 | 8.65 | 30.34 |
| Boeing | B777-300 | Airliner | 199.9 | 4605 | 545000 | 8.68 | 118.35 |
| Cessna | 425 | Corsair/Conquest I | 44.2 | 225 | 8200 | 8.68 | 36.44 |
| Douglas | DC-9-50 | Airliner | 93.4 | 1001 | 121000 | 8.71 | 120.88 |
| McDonnell-Douglas | MD-95 | (also Boeing 717) | 93.4 | 1001 | 121000 | 8.71 | 120.88 |
| Bombardier | CRJ-900 | Airliner | 81.5 | 760 | 84500 | 8.74 | 111.18 |
| Lockheed | C-141B | Starlifter | 168.3 | 3228 | 342100 | 8.78 | 105.98 |
| Cessna | 404 | Titan | 46.3 | 242 | 8400 | 8.86 | 34.71 |
| Cessna | Mustang | Citation | 43.2 | 210 | 8645 | 8.89 | 41.17 |
| Slingsby | T-3A | Firefly | 34.8 | 136 | 2550 | 8.91 | 18.75 |
| Embraer | ERJ-195 | Regional Airliner | 94.3 | 996 | 115280 | 8.93 | 115.74 |
| Socata | 850 | Single Engine Turboprop | 41.6 | 193.7 | 7394 | 8.93 | 38.17 |
| Hughes | H-4 | Spruce.Goose | 320 | 11430 | 400000 | 8.96 | 34.99 |
| Cessna | Encore | Citation-fill in the blank | 54.1 | 322 | 16630 | 9.09 | 51.65 |
| Boeing | B767-400ER | Airliner | 170.3 | 3180 | 450000 | 9.12 | 141.51 |
| Douglas | DC-3 | DeeCee-Three | 95 | 987 | 18300 | 9.14 | 18.54 |
| Gulfstream | G-200 | (Galaxy) | 58.1 | 369 | 35450 | 9.15 | 96.07 |
| Airbus | A340-500 | Airliner | 208.2 | 4730 | 840000 | 9.16 | 177.59 |
| Cessna | CJ1+ | Citation-fill in the blank | 46.9 | 240 | 10700 | 9.16 | 44.58 |
| Cessna | III | Citation-fill in the blank | 53.5 | 312 | 22000 | 9.17 | 70.51 |
| Extra | EA-400 | Composite, piston | 37.7 | 153.6 | 4409 | 9.25 | 28.71 |
| Piper | PA-38-112 | Tomahawk | 34 | 124.7 | 1670 | 9.27 | 13.39 |
| Embraer | ERJ-175 | Regional Airliner | 85.3 | 783 | 85516 | 9.29 | 109.22 |
| Bombardier | CRJ-200 | Regional Airliner | 69.6 | 520.4 | 53000 | 9.31 | 101.85 |
| Cessna | CJ2 | Citation-fill in the blank | 49.8 | 263.6 | 12300 | 9.41 | 46.66 |
| Boeing | B-47 | Stratojet | 116 | 1428 | 230000 | 9.42 | 161.06 |
| Lear | Model 85 | Lear 85 | 61.5 | 401 | 33500 | 9.43 | 83.54 |
| Douglas | DC-6 | DeeCee-Six | 117.5 | 1463 | 107000 | 9.44 | 73.14 |
| Rockwell | Commander-500 | Piston Twin | 49.1 | 255 | 6750 | 9.45 | 26.47 |
| Boeing | B737-800 | Airliner | 112.6 | 1340 | 174200 | 9.46 | 130.01 |
| Douglas | DC-4 | DeeCee-Four | 117.5 | 1460 | 73000 | 9.46 | 50.01 |
| General Atomics | MQ-9 | Reaper | 66 | 460 | 10500 | 9.47 | 22.83 |
| Airbus | A320 | Airliner | 111.9 | 1320 | 94000 | 9.49 | 71.21 |
| Airbus | A350 | Airliner | 213 | 4770 | 591000 | 9.51 | 123.89 |
| Cessna | 441 | Conquest II | 49.3 | 253 | 10165 | 9.61 | 40.18 |
| McDonnell-Douglas | MD-83 | Airliner | 107.8 | 1209 | 160000 | 9.61 | 132.34 |
| Rockwell | B-1B | Lancer (landing config) | 137 | 1950 | 477000 | 9.62 | 244.61 |
| Lockheed | L-1049G | Super Constellation | 126.2 | 1654 | 137500 | 9.63 | 83.13 |
| McDonnell-Douglas | MD-90-30ER | Airliner | 107.9 | 1209 | 168000 | 9.63 | 138.96 |
| Cessna | CJ3 | Citation-fill in the blank | 53.3 | 294 | 13870 | 9.66 | 47.18 |
| Eclipse | EA500 | Oh Be Nice | 37.4 | 144.4 | 5950 | 9.69 | 41.21 |
| Cessna | 206B | Caravan | 52.1 | 279.4 | 8750 | 9.71 | 31.31 |
| Dassault | 7X | Falcon (three engine) | 86 | 761 | 70000 | 9.72 | 91.98 |
| Douglas | DC-7 | DeeCee-Seven | 127.5 | 1637 | 143000 | 9.93 | 87.35 |
| Bristol | Type 167 | Brabazon (post WW2, 8xradial) | 230 | 5317 | 290000 | 9.95 | 54.54 |
| Airbus | A330 | Airliner | 197.9 | 3892 | 510000 | 10.06 | 131.04 |
| Lockheed | C-130H | Cargo | 132.6 | 1745 | 155000 | 10.08 | 88.82 |
| Piper | PA-46-500TP | Meridian | 43 | 183 | 5092 | 10.11 | 27.83 |
| Cirrus | SR-22 | who needs a name | 38.3 | 144.9 | 3400 | 10.12 | 23.46 |
| Diamond | DA-20 | Katana | 35.7 | 125 | 1764 | 10.19 | 14.11 |
| Pilatus | PC-12 | Single Engine Turboprop | 53.3 | 277.8 | 10450 | 10.23 | 37.62 |
| Boeing | B737-800 | (with winglets) | 117.4 | 1344 | 174200 | 10.26 | 129.61 |
| Shorts | 360 | Twin Turboprop | 74.8 | 544 | 26000 | 10.28 | 47.79 |
| Swearingen | Metroliner-23 | Twin Turboprop | 57 | 310 | 16000 | 10.48 | 51.61 |
| Beech | B350 | Kingair350 | 57.11 | 310 | 15000 | 10.52 | 48.39 |
| Beech | 2000A | Starship (main wing) | 54.5 | 281 | 14900 | 10.57 | 53.02 |
| Diamond | DZ40XL | Single Engine | 39.2 | 145.3 | 2645 | 10.58 | 18.2 |
| Lockheed | U-2S | Spy Plane | 103 | 1000 | 40000 | 10.61 | 40.01 |
| Beech | 1900D | Puddle Hopper | 58 | 310 | 17120 | 10.85 | 55.23 |
| Dornier | 328 | Twin Turboprop | 68.9 | 431 | 30840 | 11.01 | 71.55 |
| Saab | 2000 | Twin Turboprop | 81.3 | 600 | 50265 | 11.02 | 83.78 |
| Diamond | DA42T | Twin Engine | 44 | 175 | 3748 | 11.06 | 21.42 |
| ATR | ATR-42 | Twin Turboprop | 80.6 | 586 | 41000 | 11.09 | 69.97 |
| Boeing | B-36 | Peacemaker | 230 | 4772 | 410000 | 11.09 | 85.92 |
| Boeing | B787-8 | Airliner | 197.3 | 3501 | 502500 | 11.12 | 143.53 |
| Boeing | B-29 | Superfortress | 141.3 | 1736 | 133500 | 11.51 | 76.91 |
| Schweizer | S2-33 | Sailplane | 51 | 219.5 | 1040 | 11.85 | 4.74 |
| ATR | ATR-72 | Twin Turboprop | 88.8 | 656.6 | 50265 | 12.01 | 76.55 |
| Piaggio | PA-180 | Avanti (main wing) | 46 | 172.2 | 11550 | 12.29 | 67.07 |
| Shorts | C-23A | Sherpa | 74.7 | 453 | 22900 | 12.32 | 50.55 |
| Hawker Siddeley | Hawker Siddeley HS 748 | Turboprop | 102.5 | 829 | 46500 | 12.67 | 56.09 |
| DeHaviland | DHC-8-400 | Twin Turboprop | 93.2 | 679 | 64500 | 12.79 | 94.99 |
| Sonex | Xenos | homebuilt sailplane | 45.7 | 158 | 1275 | 13.22 | 8.07 |
| DeHaviland | DHC-8-300 | Twin Turboprop | 90 | 604.7 | 43000 | 13.39 | 71.11 |
| Lockheed | RQ-3 | Dark Star | 69 | 321 | 8500 | 14.83 | 26.48 |
| Schweizer | S1-26 | Sailplane | 46.2 | 140.7 | 710 | 15.17 | 5.05 |
| Grob | G-102 | Astir (sailplane) | 49.3 | 133 | 990 | 18.27 | 7.44 |
| General Atomics | MQ-1 | Predator | 48.7 | 123.3 | 2250 | 19.23 | 18.25 |
| Schleicher | ASW28 | Sail Plane | 49.2 | 113 | 1157 | 21.42 | 10.24 |
| Northrop | RQ-4A | Global Hawk | 116.2 | 540 | 22900 | 25.01 | 42.41 |
| Scaled Composites | Model 311 | Global Flyer (non-stop SEJ) | 114 | 400 | 22100 | 32.49 | 55.25 |
| Rutan | Model 76 | Voyager (non-stop prop) | 110.7 | 362 | 9694.5 | 33.85 | 26.78 |
