Cessna 172 vs Piper Arrow
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Piper Arrow are two four-seat singles a step apart in complexity — the high-wing, fixed-gear 172 and the low-wing, retractable Arrow. The 172 is the simple, ubiquitous trainer; the Arrow a complex single, a classic way to build retractable time. Where each trades now is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
- For sale now
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 137 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 128 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 103 |
Piper Arrow — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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) | Cessna 172 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $79,053 – $243,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 72.0 gal (273 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $145 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Piper Arrow
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Arrow?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the simple, best-supported four-seater — fixed gear, high-wing visibility and the easiest ownership in aviation. Choose the Arrow for retractable-gear flying — a slippery, efficient complex single and a classic way to build retractable and complex time. On safety both are benign, proven four-seaters; the Arrow adds retractable-gear discipline and complex-aircraft handling, while the 172 stays simple — a complexity difference, not a safety gap. Simple high-wing trainer, or retractable complex single.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $79,053, you save ~$17,490.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $145/hr.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Faster cruise — 135 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1967 vs 1956.
- More inventory — 218 listings vs 163.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.