Beechcraft Skipper

Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1975 · light aircraft

The Beechcraft Skipper (Model 77) is an American two-seat low-wing trainer designed for ab initio flight training. Its most distinctive feature is the T-tail, unusual among aircraft of its class.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.32 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Beechcraft two-seat trainer with distinctive T-tail
Low-wing side-by-side trainer with T-tail
Lycoming O-235-powered ab initio trainer from the 1970s

The T-tail is the key recognition feature, setting the Skipper apart from the Cessna 152 and Piper Tomahawk; the low-wing configuration completes the identification.

Specifications

The Beechcraft Skipper has a length of 7.32 m (24 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.14 m (30 ft).
Its maximum speed is 201 km/h (125 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot, 1 student.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1975 and entering production in 1979, the Skipper was Beechcraft's answer to the Cessna 152 and Piper Tomahawk. It was produced until 1981, with around 312 built. Despite good handling, it did not capture the market share Beechcraft anticipated.

Variants

The Skipper was produced in a single version, the Model 77; no significant sub-variants were developed.

Where you'll see it

Used by Beechcraft Aero Centers and independent flight schools primarily in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. Many examples remain airworthy in private hands.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.