Nanchang CJ-6A vs Siai-Marchetti SF-260

The CJ-6 and SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 are military piston trainers — the CJ-6 a radial tandem warbird, the SF.260 a fast, sleek flat-engine side-by-side with fighter-like handling.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Nanchang CJ-6A
For sale now
3
Model years available
1979–2001
Siai-Marchetti SF-260

No active listings right now.

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)Nanchang CJ-6ASIAI-Marchetti SF-260
All events62
Serious20
Fatal22
Fatalities43
% Fatal33%100%
View full Nanchang CJ-6A NTSB record →View full SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Nanchang CJ-6A SIAI-Marchetti SF-260
Nanchang CJ-6A
View 2 listings →
Median $79,900
Price Range $43,540 – $187,090 —
Category Warbirds —
Model Specifications
Seats 2 —
Horsepower 285 HP —
Cruise Speed 160 kts (296 km/h) 160 kts (296 km/h)
Range 380 nm (704 km) 890 nm (1,648 km)
Service Ceiling 22,000 ft (6,706 m) —
Max Gross Weight 3,086 lbs (1,400 kg) 2,646 lbs (1,200 kg)
Useful Load 1,000 lbs (454 kg) —
Fuel Burn 18.0 GPH (68 L/h) —
TBO 1,500 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $45,000 —
Annual Fixed $20,000 —
Hourly Variable $200 —
Engines 1 x Piston —

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Nanchang CJ-6A

Fuel$99/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $60,000/yr

SIAI-Marchetti SF-260

Which Should You Buy: Nanchang CJ-6A or SIAI-Marchetti SF-260?

Bottom line: Choose the SF.260 for speed and crisp fighter-like handling; choose the CJ-6 for radial warbird character at a lower price. SF.260 = speed/handling; CJ-6 = radial/value.

Pick the CJ-6A if…

Pick the SF-260 if…

  • Longer range — 890 nm vs 380 nm.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Nanchang CJ-6A or SIAI-Marchetti SF-260?
It depends on your mission and budget. The CJ-6A cruises at 160 kts with 380 nm range. The SF-260 cruises at 160 kts with 890 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Nanchang CJ-6A: from $199,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Nanchang CJ-6A and SIAI-Marchetti SF-260?
Cruise: 160 vs 160 kts. Range: 380 vs 890 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
CJ-6A: about $200/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?
CJ-6A: 2 seats / 1,000 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?
CJ-6A: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$45,000. 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