Piper Clipper Aircraft (PA-16)

· updated recently

About the Piper Clipper

The Piper Clipper (PA-16) is a four-seat short-wing taildragger built in 1949, a stretched development of the two-seat Vagabond and the direct predecessor of the Pacer. With four seats on the compact short-wing airframe and a 115 hp Lycoming, it offered surprising utility for its size. Production was brief, so surviving Clippers are relatively scarce and prized by short-wing Piper enthusiasts.

Piper Clipper Specifications

Model spec

Piper has not yet published final specifications for the Clipper. This section will populate automatically once official specs are released — in the meantime you can browse current listings above.

Piper Clipper Listings

No Piper Clipper currently listed for sale.

This page updates automatically the moment one is listed — check back soon, or browse the Piper range.

Compare Piper Clipper

Detailed comparisons for the Piper Clipper are being prepared.

Browse all Piper models →

Piper Clipper Price & Cost

Piper Clipper Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Buying a Used Piper Clipper

When buying a Piper Clipper, the biggest value drivers are engine time since overhaul, maintenance-record completeness, damage history and avionics.

What to check before buying

  • Engine time to overhaul — hours and years remaining drive price more than total airframe time.
  • Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records protect value.
  • Damage history — any prior accident or incident; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
  • Avionics — a modern glass panel vs legacy steam gauges materially changes price.
  • Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.

Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Clipper

How much does a used Piper Clipper cost?
The Clipper had a short production run and is relatively scarce, so clean examples appeal to short-wing Piper collectors. See the live price range and median above for current listings.
How is the Clipper different from the Pacer?
The Clipper (PA-16) is the four-seat development of the two-seat Vagabond and the direct predecessor of the Pacer (PA-20). The Pacer refined the design with more power and improvements; the Clipper was built only briefly, making it the rarer of the two.
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed recently · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data