American Champion Citabria vs Piper Cherokee
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
American Champion Citabria
No active listings right now.
Piper Cherokee
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | American Champion Citabria | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 1 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | American Champion Citabria | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $42,999 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 160 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 110 kts (204 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 480 nm (889 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,500 ft (4,724 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 550 lbs (249 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateAmerican Champion Citabria
Fuel$50/hr
Piper Cherokee
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: American Champion Citabria or Piper Cherokee?
Pick the Citabria if…
- Budget matters — from $42,999 vs $59,948, you save ~$16,949.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 117 kts vs 110 kts.
- Longer range — 525 nm vs 480 nm.
- More inventory — 27 listings vs 1.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, American Champion Citabria or Piper Cherokee?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Citabria cruises at 110 kts with 480 nm range.
The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
American Champion Citabria: from $42,999.
Piper Cherokee: from $115,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between American Champion Citabria and Piper Cherokee?
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 110 vs 117 kts.
Range: 480 vs 525 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Cherokee: about $120/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Citabria: 2 seats / 550 lb useful load.
Cherokee: 4 seats / 850 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Cherokee: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data