Recently, a solar-powered plane completed its test flight successfully. It flew from San Francisco to Phoenix took 18 hours and 18 minutes using only the sun’s energy.
While its uncertain if the future of flying can be planes using solar energy, let’s take a look most produced aircraft in the world.
The list includes aircraft that are still in production and also those who are used for civil purposes.
Cessna 172
Number produced: Over 43,000
Country: US
Production period: 1956 - present
The single-engine four-seater aircraft is manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company. It is the most successful mass-produced aircraft in the history.
Piper Cherokee
Number produced: Over 32,778
Country: US
Production period: 1960 - present
Built by Piper Aircraft, this single-engine plane is designed for flight training, air taxi, and personal use.
Piper has created variations within the Cherokee family by using different power engines (140 to 300 hp), providing turbocharging.
Cessna 182
Number produced: Over 23,237
Country: US
Production period: 1956 – present
Similar to Cessna 172, even this model is a single-engine, four-seater aircraft.
Under license, Cessna 182s were also built in Argentina by DINFIA (called A182), and by Reims Aviation, France, as the F-182.
Beechcraft Bonanza
Number produced: Over 22,000
Country: US
Production period: 1947 - present
This is the longest production airplane built by Beechcraft Aircraft Corporation.
The Bonanza is popular with air charter companies, and is operated by private individuals and companies.
Antonov An-2
Number produced: over 18,000
Country: Soviet Union, People's Republic of China, and Poland
Production period: 1947 - present
The single-engine biplane is used in agriculture and utility service. It is designed and manufactured by Antonov Design Bureau.
As of 2013, there were thousands of An-2 still in operation around the world, including over 1,500 in Russia, 294 in Kazakhstan and 54 in Ukraine, according to Wikipedia.
Mil Mi-8
Number produced: Over 17,000
Country: Soviet Union/Russia
Production period: 1961 - present
Designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and built by Kazan Helicopter Plant and Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Mil Mi-8 is the most produced helicopter and used by more than 50 countries.
Usually used as a transport helicopter, it can also be used as gunship.
Chotia Weedhopper
Number produced: 13,000
Country: US
Production period: 1977 - present
This ultra light aircraft is also available as a kit for amateur construction and can be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.
It has been popular because it offered people an inexpensive way to fly for pleasure. The aircraft could be easily disassembled and put on a trailer for home storage.
It can be flown from just about any field because of its short takeoff and landing requirements (about 100 feet with no obstacles).
Cessna 206
Number produced: 8,509
Country: US
Production period: 1962 - present
This single-engine light aircraft is used for commercial air service and also for personal use. These airplanes are also used for aerial photography, skydiving and other utility purposes.
Boeing 737
Number produced: 7,386
Country: US
Production period: 1967 - present
The 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers. This twin engine aircraft is used on small to medium routes.
Bell 206 Jetranger
Number produced: over 7.340
Country: US and Canada
Production period: 1966 - present
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter.
The company had originally made the helicopter for US military but it failed to be selected. Bell redesigned it and started marketing it for commercial use.
Robinson R44
Number produced: 5,610
Country: US
Production period: 1993 - present
The Robinson R44 is a single-engine four-seat light helicopter. It is produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company.
The aircraft is operated by many private individuals, companies, and flying clubs.
Airbus A320 family
Number produced: 5,307
Country: European Union
Production period: 1988–present
The Airbus A320 family consists of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners. Some of the jets in the family include A318, A319, A320 and A321.
These aircraft can accommodate up to 220 passengers and has a range of 3,100 km to 12,000 km.
As of July 2013, a total of 5,677 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been delivered, of which 5,481 are in service.
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