Globe GC-1 Swift vs Luscombe 8

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Globe GC-1 Swift
29 ft × 21 ft ⭥ 6 ft
1× Piston Retractable Unpressurized
Luscombe 8
35 ft × 20 ft ⭥ 6 ft
1× Piston Conventional Unpressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification Globe GC-1 SwiftLuscombe 8
Stall speed 50 kt35 kt
Approach speed 57 kt60 kt
Cruise speed 110 kt85 kt
Range 360 nm182 nm
Service ceiling 16000 ft14000 ft
Rate of climb 1000 fpm550 fpm
Fuel burn 7.0 gph4.5 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

Globe GC-1 Swift Avgas
7.0 gph
Baseline
360 nm range 15.7 nm/gal 26 gal usable $46 fuel/hr 3h 42m endurance
Globe GC-1 Swift: 7.0 gph at cruise, 360 nautical mile published range, 3 hour 42 minute endurance, 15.7 nautical miles per gallon.
Luscombe 8 Avgas
4.5 gph
Baseline
182 nm range 18.9 nm/gal 14 gal usable $29 fuel/hr 3h 06m endurance
Luscombe 8: 4.5 gph at cruise, 182 nautical mile published range, 3 hour 6 minute endurance, 18.9 nautical miles per gallon.
Avgas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing over 50 ft obstacle

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
Globe GC-1 Swift Avgas
$104 /hr
Baseline
Globe GC-1 Swift: $104 per flight hour — fuel $46, maintenance and reserve $58.
Luscombe 8 Avgas
$66 /hr
Baseline
Luscombe 8: $66 per flight hour — fuel $29, maintenance and reserve $37.
Globe GC-1 Swift Piston
$7,063 /yr Baseline
Globe GC-1 Swift: $7,063 per year — insurance withheld, hangar $4,563, annual inspection $2,500.
Luscombe 8 Piston
$3,358 /yr Baseline
Luscombe 8: $3,358 per year — insurance $647, hangar $840, annual inspection $1,871.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

+ cargo
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1
Globe GC-1 Swift Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 26 gal / 26 gal fuel 429 lbs wet payload 585 lbs useful 1,710 lbs MTOW
Luscombe 8 Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 14 gal / 14 gal fuel 426 lbs wet payload 510 lbs useful 1,260 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: → · two fingers to move map

+ cargo
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1

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