Piper Pilot 100i Aircraft under $500,000

Under $500k for a piston single is the high-end price band — typically modern composite singles (Cirrus SR22/SR22T from mid-2000s+), late-model Bonanza or Mooney with full glass, low-time airframes with current engine status and full mandate compliance. Highest acquisition cost in piston class but lowest pre-buy discovery risk.

← Piper Cherokee family

The Piper Pilot 100i (built on the PA-28-161 airframe) is Piper's modern, low-cost trainer, launched in 2019 to bring the proven Cherokee structure to a new generation of flight schools. It pairs the durable tapered-wing PA-28 airframe and a 180-hp Lycoming engine with a Garmin G3X Touch glass cockpit, a Garmin G5 and a GFC 500 autopilot for IFR training. Configured with two pilot seats and an observer seat, it cruises around 128 knots and was priced to undercut other new trainers.

Piper Pilot 100i aircraft for sale

2 used Piper Pilot 100i aircraft for sale under $500,000 · 3-seat · Reference price ~$330,000 ($260,000–$420,000) · updated 4 days ago

Piper Pilot 100i Specifications

Model spec

The Piper Pilot 100i is a 3-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 115–143 kt (213–265 km/h), a range of 455–745 nm (843–1,380 km), and a useful load of 850–1,410 lbs (386–640 kg).

Performance
Cruise115–143 kt (213–265 km/h)
Max Speed126–148 kt (233–274 km/h)
Range455–745 nm (843–1,380 km)
Service Ceiling14,000–17,000 ft (4,267–5,182 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower150–235 HP
Fuel Capacity50.0–72.0 gal (189–273 L)
Fuel Burn8.0–13.0 GPH (30–49 L/h)
TBO2,000 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats2–4
Max Gross Weight2,150–3,000 lbs (975–1,361 kg)
Useful Load850–1,410 lbs (386–640 kg)

Piper Pilot 100i for Sale

Piper Pilot 100i asking prices range from $250,000 to $350,000, with a median of $300,000 (market reference $330,000).

$250,000
For Sale
Total Time 4,850
Location Goodyear, AZ
$350,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,380
Reg# N589LA US
Location Philadelphia, PA
Multiple sources

Piper Pilot 100i Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
Cherokee 180 1963–1975 4 124 kts (230 km/h) 630 nm (1,167 km) 1,055 lbs (479 kg) $22K – $179K Buy the Cherokee 180 if you want an inexpensive, capable four-seat Cherokee that can actually carry four people. Consider the Piper Archer if you prefer the later tapered wing and the option of a still-in-production airframe, or the Cherokee 140/160 to save money for lighter use. 74
Cherokee 140 1964–1977 4 115 kts (213 km/h) 455 nm (843 km) 920 lbs (417 kg) $20K – $130K Buy the Cherokee 140 if you want the lowest-cost way into Cherokee ownership for training and local flying. Consider the Piper Warrior for the better-handling tapered wing and a bit more useful load, or the Cherokee 180 if you need more power to carry four people properly. 98
Cherokee 235 1964–1975 4 130 kts (241 km/h) 745 nm (1,380 km) 1,410 lbs (640 kg) $89K – $194K Buy the Cherokee 235 if you want maximum load-hauling on a budget and don't mind the older constant-chord wing. Consider the tapered-wing Piper Dakota for cleaner handling and a bit more speed, or the six-seat Piper Cherokee Six if you need more than four seats. 35
Arrow 1967–2014 4 135 kts (250 km/h) 720 nm (1,333 km) 940 lbs (426 kg) $44K – $240K Buy the Arrow if you want a faster, complex-rated four-seater and the speed bump of retractable gear. Consider the Piper Archer if you would rather avoid the extra maintenance, insurance and gear inspections of a retractable, or the Turbo Arrow if you regularly fly high or in hot-and-high terrain. 163
Archer 4 124 kts (230 km/h) 703 nm (1,302 km) 900 lbs (408 kg) $3K – $584K Buy the Archer if you want the best balance of cabin load, speed and running cost in a fixed-gear four-seater that is still supported and built new. Consider the Piper Warrior to save money on training, or the Piper Arrow if you want retractable gear and a complex rating. 77
Cadet 2 115 kts (213 km/h) 525 nm (972 km) 850 lbs (386 kg) Buy the Cadet if you want a low-cost, rugged PA-28 trainer and don't need rear seats. Consider a four-seat Piper Warrior or the modern Pilot 100i if you need to carry passengers or want updated avionics. 2
Cherokee 160 4 119 kts (220 km/h) 474 nm (878 km) 950 lbs (431 kg) $47K – $109K Buy the Cherokee 160 if you want a low-cost four-seat Cherokee with a bit more muscle than the 140. Consider the Cherokee 180 if you regularly carry four adults, or the Piper Warrior for the more modern tapered wing and gentler stall. 8
Dakota 4 143 kts (265 km/h) 650 nm (1,204 km) 1,150 lbs (522 kg) $125K – $249K Buy the Dakota if you want the most power and useful load in a fixed-gear PA-28 and routinely fly with four people and bags. Consider the Piper Archer if you mostly fly one or two up and want lower fuel burn, or the retractable Piper Arrow if cruise speed matters more than cabin load. 17
Warrior 4 127 kts (235 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 972 lbs (441 kg) $34K – $178K Buy the Warrior if you want the cheapest practical way to train and build hours in a stable, forgiving four-seater. Consider the Piper Archer if you need the extra 20-30 hp of the 180 engine for better climb and load when carrying four people and bags. 59

Compare Piper Pilot 100i

Detailed comparisons for the Piper Pilot 100i are being prepared.

Browse all Piper models →

Piper Pilot 100i Price & Cost

How much does a Piper Pilot 100i cost? Used Pilot 100i prices: $250K – $350K, average $300K (median $300K); market reference $330K, across 2 priced of 2 active listings.

Piper Pilot 100i 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.

Piper Pilot 100i Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (9.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$5,580/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Piper Pilot 100i Value by Model Year

Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.

$491K $323K $155K
$260K
$238K
$155K
$200K
$235K
$275K
$240K
$430K
$350K
$450K
$491K
’99
’01
’03
’14
’21
’23

Lowest around $155,000 (2001 models) · highest around $491,000 (2023). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.

Buying a Used Piper Pilot 100i

When buying a Piper Pilot 100i, 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 Pilot 100i

What is the Piper Pilot 100i?
It is Piper's current entry-level trainer, introduced in 2019 on the PA-28-161 airframe. The Pilot 100i is the IFR-equipped version with a Garmin G3X Touch, a G5 and a GFC 500 autopilot; the Pilot 100 is the simpler VFR version. Both are aimed at flight schools wanting a modern, affordable Cherokee.
How is the Pilot 100i different from a Warrior or Archer?
It uses the same PA-28-161 airframe as the Warrior but with modern Garmin glass avionics and a three-seat training layout. Unlike the four-seat Archer, the Pilot 100/100i is built primarily as a dedicated trainer rather than an owner-traveller.
How fast is the Piper Pilot 100i and how many seats?
It cruises around 128 knots and seats three — two pilots plus an observer — with a range of roughly 520 nautical miles plus reserve.
Is the Pilot 100i still in production?
Yes — it is a current Piper trainer model, so used examples on the market are recent aircraft. That makes avionics condition and total time the main value drivers; see the live range above.

Piper Pilot 100i Inventory by Country

United States2

Piper Pilot 100i Inventory by State

California57
Florida52
Texas51
Kentucky23
Illinois13
New Jersey12
Georgia12
Oklahoma11
Arizona11
South Carolina10
Missouri10
Pennsylvania10

Piper Pilot 100i by Price

Under $100k251
Under $200k531
Under $300k560
Under $500k579

Piper Pilot 100i by Decade

2000s1
2020s1

Piper Pilot 100i Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Piper Pilot 100i. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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 4 days ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data