In the world of general aviation for 2026, the Cessna 150 remains the "budget hero" and the cheapest plane for personal ownership. Well-maintained pre-owned models can often be found for between $15,000 and $25,000, with relatively low operating costs due to their fuel-efficient, two-seat design. For those looking for a slightly more modern "personal jet," the Eclipse 500 is considered the most affordable very light jet (VLJ) on the used market, with prices for airworthy examples starting around $650,000 to $950,000. If you are looking at the absolute cheapest way to get into the air, ultralight aircraft or paragliders are the entry point, costing less than $10,000. However, for a reliable, "real" airplane that can carry two people cross-country, the time-tested Cessna 150 or the similar ERCO Ercoupe (often priced between $15k–$25k) are the industry standards for affordability and ease of maintenance.