Single Engine vs Twin Engine Piston Aircraft: A Buyer's Guide for Europe

When you are buying your aircraft in Europe you usually start with a piston aircraft. You have a budget in mind.. Then you have to decide between a single engine and a twin engine.

This is not a question. The answer depends on where you fly how often you fly how much you want to spend and how good you are at flying.

Let us look at what a single engine piston aircraft's. A single engine piston aircraft has one engine and one propeller. Examples include the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the Piper PA-28 Cherokee and the Cirrus SR22.

These aircraft are very popular in Europe. Flight schools use them and people who fly on the weekends love them. If you are buying your aircraft you will probably start with one of these.

They are simple, cheap to buy, cheap to run and easy to maintain. For people who fly in Europe they are perfect.

Now let us look at what a twin engine piston aircraft's. A twin engine piston aircraft has two engines, one on each wing. Examples include the Beechcraft Baron, the Cessna 414 Chancellor, the Piper Seneca and the Diamond DA-42.

Twin engine aircraft can carry people fly further and climb faster. They also have an engine if the first one fails.. As we will see that second engine is not always a good thing.

I know a pilot who runs a charter operation in Germany. He used to own a Beechcraft Baron. Then he switched to a Cirrus SR22. He said that when the weather was bad he made decisions in the Cirrus. The second engine in the Baron made him feel too confident. The parachute in the Cirrus made him feel more realistic. He said that the single engine aircraft was actually better for him.

This story shows the problem with choosing between twin engine aircraft.

1. Safety: Twin Engine Is Not Always Safer

Most people think that twin engine aircraft are safer than engine aircraft.. That is not always true.

If one engine fails in an engine aircraft the other engine can pull the aircraft sideways. To handle this you need to be a good pilot. If you are not a twin engine aircraft can be more dangerous than an engine aircraft.

Data from the NTSB shows that many fatal accidents in engine aircraft happen when one engine fails at low altitude. The pilot loses control of the aircraft.

Historical data shows that twin engine aircraft are safer overall.. That is only true if the pilot is very good and has a lot of experience. For people who fly a few hours a year a single engine aircraft with a parachute can be safer.

2. Purchase Price: Single Engine Is Cheaper

The price of an engine aircraft is much lower than a twin engine aircraft.

For example an old Cessna 172 can cost between EUR 30,000 and EUR 80,000. A new Cirrus SR22 can cost between EUR 200,000 and EUR 500,000.

A twin engine aircraft, like a Beechcraft Baron can cost between EUR 110,000 and EUR 850,000.

So if you have a budget of EUR 200,000 you can buy a nice single engine aircraft but only an old twin engine aircraft.

3. Operating Costs: Twin Engine Is Expensive

The cost of running a twin engine aircraft is much higher than a single engine aircraft.

For example a Cessna 172 costs around USD 571 per hour to fly. A Beechcraft Baron costs around USD 983 per hour to fly.

The reason is that a twin engine aircraft uses fuel and oil. You also need to budget for two engines, which means double the maintenance costs.

4. Licensing: Twin Engine Requires Training

To fly a twin engine aircraft in Europe you need a special license. You need to take training and pass a test.

This training can cost around EUR 3,000 to EUR 6,000. You also need to practice flying an engine aircraft regularly to stay good at it.

If you do not fly an engine aircraft for a few months you will need to take more training to be allowed to fly it again.

5. Mission Suitability: What Do You Need

The important thing is to think about what you need.

If you fly during the day in weather and only go on short trips a single engine aircraft is perfect.

If you fly at night in weather or on long trips a twin engine aircraft might be better.

If you are not a very good pilot or if you do not fly very often a single engine aircraft with a parachute might be safer.

Here is a comparison between an engine aircraft and a twin engine aircraft:

Sources: Aircraft Cost Calculator, Piston Aircraft Loans, Pilot Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to fly a twin engine aircraft in Europe?

Yes you do. The European Aviation Safety Agency or EASA requires a Multi-Engine Piston class rating in addition to your Private Pilot Licence to fly an engine aircraft in Europe. This typically takes 6 to 10 hours of training and costs between EUR 3,000 and EUR 6,000.

Is a twin engine piston aircraft safer than an engine piston aircraft?

Well historically twin engine piston aircraft have a lower fatal accident rate overall. However the safety advantage of an engine piston aircraft only holds when the pilot is trained and current on engine-out procedures. For hours private owners the difference in safety between a twin engine piston aircraft and a single engine piston aircraft is not as clear-cut as most people think.

What does a used twin engine piston aircraft cost in Europe?

Prices vary widely for used engine piston aircraft in Europe. Older Beechcraft Baron 55 models can start from around EUR 110,000 in condition. Pressurised aircraft like the Cessna 414 can average around USD 419,000 on the market. Modern Baron G58 models with glass cockpits can run between USD 400,000 and USD 850,000.

How much does a single engine piston aircraft cost to run per year?

Based on data from the Aircraft Cost Calculator, a Cessna 172SP flying 200 hours per year can cost USD 117,000 annually or around USD 588 per hour all-in.

What is the best twin engine piston aircraft for a buyer?

The Beechcraft Baron is consistently recommended for twin buyers due to its handling characteristics and strong pilot community. The Diamond DA-42 is also popular in Europe for its fuel efficiency on Jet-A fuel and modern avionics.

Can I fly an engine aircraft over the Alps or the sea?

Yes you can fly an engine aircraft over the Alps or the sea and this is one of the strongest arguments for a twin engine piston aircraft in the European context. Flying over terrain or open water with a second engine provides meaningful peace of mind provided you are current and trained on engine-out procedures for your twin engine piston aircraft.

Where can I find engine piston aircraft and twin engine piston aircraft for sale in Europe?

You can browse single engine piston aircraft at SkyDeals Europe Single Engine listings and twin engine piston aircraft at SkyDeals Europe Multi Engine listings.

Final Verdict

For first-time buyers in Europe a single engine piston aircraft is the smarter starting point. It costs less to buy, less to run is simpler to licence and for the majority of flying missions across Europe it does everything you actually need from a single engine piston aircraft.

The twin engine piston aircraft earns its place when your missions genuinely demand it. Regular overwater flying, mountain routes with forced-landing options full passenger loads on longer legs and the desire for pressurisation are all legitimate reasons to step up to a twin engine piston aircraft.

Whatever you decide make sure you read our guide on how to buy a used aircraft in Europe before you sign anything. The buying process is the same either way and skipping the -buy inspection on a piston twin with two ageing engines to evaluate is an especially costly mistake for a twin engine piston aircraft.