What is the difference between the Aquila A210 / AT01 and A211GX?

The A210 / AT01 (2003–2018) used the carbureted Rotax 912 S3. The A211GX (2018–present) uses the fuel-injected Rotax 912 iS Sport, has a slightly higher 1,874 lb MTOW, and ships with Garmin G500 TXi avionics as standard.

Can the Aquila A210 burn unleaded fuel?

Yes. The Rotax 912 iS Sport runs on unleaded EN228 mogas or 100LL avgas, making the type strategically well-positioned for the unleaded-fuel transition. Schools running the Aquila in airports with mogas infrastructure commonly run on mogas to lower direct fuel cost.

Is the Aquila A210 IFR-capable?

Yes. EASA CS-23 certification (not LSA) gives the type IFR capability when appropriately equipped. Garmin G500 TXi avionics with a GFC 500 autopilot is the typical IFR configuration.

Why does Lufthansa Aviation Training use the Aquila?

The Aquila A210 has been part of Lufthansa Aviation Training's German training fleet for over a decade as a fuel-efficient ab-initio airframe. Low operating cost (4 gph mogas-capable), modern composite construction, and German manufacturing support are the typical drivers cited by operators.

Aquila Aviation

A210 / AT01

Single-engine piston · Primary trainer · 2000s glass era

Photo: MAYDAYMAYDAY via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Power: 100 hp
Cruise: 122 kt
MTOW: 1,874 lb
Range: 745 nm
Fuel: Unleaded mogas (EN228 / autofuel)

🇺🇸Specs shown in Imperial.

Performance

Cruise speed (Vc)122 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne)162 kt
Stall (landing config) (Vs0)41 kt
Climb rate800 fpm
Service ceiling14,000 ft
Range745 nm
Endurance7 h
Takeoff roll985 ft
Landing roll740 ft

Weights

MTOW1,874 lb
Empty weight1,196 lb
Useful load678 lb
Baggage capacity55 lb

Dimensions

Wingspan33.8 ft
Length24.6 ft
Height7.5 ft
Cabin width47.2 in

Powerplant

EngineRotax 912 iSc Sport — 100 hp · Mogas · 4 gph
Total horsepower100 hp
Primary fuelUnleaded mogas (EN228 / autofuel)
Unleaded pathMogas-capable (Rotax 912 / equivalent)

Cockpit & avionics

Cockpit typeglass
Autopilot commonly availableYes
Typical packages
- Garmin G500 TXi— modern (current new-build)
- Garmin G500— earlier production airframes

Certification

RegulatoryEASA CS-23
Certified rolesNormal category · Utility category
IFRYes
Spin approvedYes
Aerobatic-categoryNo
TailwheelNo
Complex (FAR 61.31)No
High-performance (FAR 61.31)No

Why is the A210 / AT01 popular?

Structured popularity-driver evidence. Each axis below carries one factual statement; we don't grade, the facts speak.

Industry network effects

Lufthansa Aviation Training and a number of German, Austrian, and Swiss ATOs / DTOs operate Aquila fleets, often alongside the Diamond DA20 and DA40; the type is built in Schönhagen near Berlin with regional manufacturing support.

Fuel future-proofing

Rotax 912 iS Sport runs on unleaded EN228 mogas or 100LL avgas without modification — strategically positioned for the unleaded-fuel transition where airport mogas infrastructure is available.

Regulatory fit

EASA CS-23 certification (not LSA) gives the type IFR capability and a higher MTOW than typical LSA / ULM trainers; approved for intentional spins in the Utility category.

Operating economics

Approximately 4 gph in cruise on the Rotax 912 iS Sport — comparable to the P-Mentor on direct fuel cost but with EASA CS-23 IFR capability that the LSA-class trainers don't carry.

Before you buy more aircraft

The next airframe is rarely the highest-leverage move.

Flight school revenue is a function of three things — utilization, dispatch reliability, and student progression — that multiply rather than add. Most schools running below 850 hours per aircraft per year have hidden capacity worth more than the next purchase, already paid for and sitting on the ramp.

Read: Why buying more aircraft probably won't grow your school

Operations

Record hours, no profit

Where margin actually leaks when the schedule looks full.

Strategy

The three hurdles to profitability

The structural barriers most expansion plans miss.

How flight schools track this aircraft in Aviatize

Schools running Aquila fleets typically configure them in Aviatize alongside their Diamond DA20 / DA40 ab-initio block. Engine reserves track against the Rotax 912 iS Sport 2,000-hour TBO. The mogas-or-100LL fuel-flexibility option is commonly modelled in the fuel surcharge model.

Smart Planning & Booking Training Management Maintenance Control Billing & Payments

Weighing up the numbers? Model the operating economics of a A210 / AT01 fleet with our free profitability calculator — no signup required.

Editorial confidence

Medium confidenceLast reviewed 2026-05-26

2 primary sources cited. Spec data is partially attributed; some operating details are editorial synthesis pending additional research.

Sources

Primary sources are POH / TCDS / manufacturer pages; derived sources record where Aviatize editorial synthesis is layered on top.

Primary sourcePOH·Retrieved 2026-05-26
Aquila Aviation
https://www.aquila-aviation.de/en/
Aquila Aviation product pages.
Primary sourceEASA TCDS·Retrieved 2026-05-26
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/type-certificates
EASA TCDS A.029 covers Aquila variants.
Editorial synthesisAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-05
Aviatize editorial
Entry authored by Aviatize from accumulated industry knowledge cross-referenced against the primary sources cited above. Specific fleet figures, fleet wins, and recent production status changes are research-backlog candidates and should be verified against primary sources before flipping verified: true.
Secondary sourceAviatize-internal·Retrieved 2026-05-26
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquila_AT01
Aquila A210/AT01. Wikipedia confirms ~120 built, first flight 5 March 2000, 2 seats, Rotax 912 S3 73.5 kW, range 620 nm, service ceiling 14,500 ft, climb 752 fpm. Current production by Aquila Aviation International.

Related aircraft

Other training airframes commonly evaluated, operated, or compared alongside the A210 / AT01.

DA20 Katana / Eclipse

Diamond Aircraft Industries

Single-engine piston

Power: 125hp
Fuel: 100LL avgas

Ab-initio / PPLSpin trainingDiscovery flights

DA40 / DA40 NG / DA40 XLT

Diamond Aircraft Industries

Single-engine piston

Power: 168hp
Fuel: Jet-A (diesel piston)

Ab-initio / PPLIFR ratingCheckride prep+1

P-Mentor

Tecnam

Single-engine piston

Power: 100hp
Fuel: Unleaded mogas (EN228 / autofuel)

Ab-initio / PPLIFR ratingComplex rating

P92 Echo / Eaglet

Tecnam

Ultralight / microlight

Power: 100hp
Fuel: Unleaded mogas (EN228 / autofuel)

Ab-initio / PPLDiscovery flights

Photos & credits: each thumbnail opens that aircraft’s page, where the photographer and licence are credited under the hero image.

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