How much does a single-engine airplane cost?

Used single-engine piston aircraft range from $18K for a basic Cessna 150 to $700K+ for a new Cirrus SR22T. The most popular models — Cessna 172 Skyhawk ($50K-$150K), Piper Cherokee ($40K-$100K), and Cessna 182 Skylane ($80K-$200K) — offer the best balance of price and capability. Glass cockpit aircraft command a $30K-$80K premium over steam gauge versions.

What is the best first airplane to buy?

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most popular first airplane — forgiving handling, low operating costs ($100-$140/hr), widely available parts and training. A good used Cessna 172 costs $50K-$120K. The Piper Cherokee PA-28 ($40K-$90K) and Diamond DA40 ($120K-$220K) are also excellent choices for new owners looking for reliable, easy-to-fly aircraft.

How much does it cost to own a small airplane?

Budget $12,000-$25,000 per year at 100 flight hours, including fuel ($4,500-$7,000 at $6/gal), hangar ($2,400-$6,000 depending on region), insurance ($1,500-$3,000), annual inspection ($1,500-$3,000), and maintenance reserves ($2,000-$5,000). Total hourly cost works out to $120-$250/hr depending on the aircraft type and how much you fly.

What is the cheapest airplane to buy and fly?

The cheapest airplanes to buy are Cessna 150/152 trainers ($18K-$45K) and older Piper Cherokee 140 models ($25K-$50K). Operating costs run $80-$120/hr. For a four-seater, the Cessna 172 offers the lowest total cost of ownership. Luscombe, Aeronca Champ, and Piper J-3 Cub are even cheaper to operate but carry only two people.

Single engine piston vs. multi engine — which should I buy?

For most private owners, a single-engine piston offers lower purchase price (50-70% less), lower operating costs (single engine overhaul vs. two), lower insurance, and simpler maintenance. Multi-engine aircraft provide engine redundancy but require a multi-engine rating and have higher total costs. A Cirrus SR22 with CAPS parachute offers comparable safety to a light twin at half the operating cost.

Single Engine Piston for Sale

2003 Cirrus SR20

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 3,335

Reg# N123AN US

Location Czech Republic

Via LETOV AIR Ltd.

2 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1979 Cessna R172 Hawk XP

Fair Price

$167,000

For Sale

Total Time 2,600

Reg# C-GQOC Canada

Location ON, Canada

Via Canadian Aircraft Sales

Listed 2mo ago

2014 Cirrus SR22T

Great Deal

$629,900

For Sale

Total Time 1,065

Reg# N574TB US

Location TX

Via Zulu Jets

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

2001 Cessna 182T

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 2,400

Reg# N28EB US

Location WA

Via International Jets, Inc.

2 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1966 Beechcraft Debonair 33

Good Deal

$159,000

For Sale

Total Time 9,347

Reg# D-ELID Germany

Location Italy

Via Aeromeccanica SA

6 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1965 Mooney M20E

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 3,495

Reg# HB-DET Switzerland

Location Switzerland

Via Aeromeccanica SA

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

2007 Cirrus SR20

Contact for Price

For Sale

Reg# F-GSSD France

Location France

Via 777 Aircraft Sales

Listed 2mo ago

2002 Robin DR-400

Overpriced

$103,561

For Sale

Total Time 7,737

Reg# HB-KFW Switzerland

Location Switzerland

Via Aeromeccanica SA

Listed 2mo ago

2021 Sonaca S201

Fair Price

$154,825

For Sale

Total Time 1,324

Reg# I-RX Italy

Location Switzerland

Via Stefano Scossa

2 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1960 Dornier Do 27 A-4

Overpriced

$94,000

For Sale

Total Time 2,584

Reg# D-EOAC Germany

Location Italy

Via Aeromeccanica SA

Listed 2mo ago

1956 Commonwealth Aircraft Corp CA-25

$123,158

For Sale

Total Time 5,690

Reg# VH-SOB Australia

Location Melbourne, Queensland, Australia

Via Platinum Fighter Sales

5 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1977 Cessna A185F

$345,000

For Sale

Total Time 6,680

Reg# C-GZJO Canada

Location Nipawin, SK, Canada

Via Aircraft Canada

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

2001 Waco YMF-5C

$250,000

For Sale

Total Time 1,133

Reg# N97YM US

Location Moab, UT

Via SkyQuest International, LLC

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1964 Cessna 210

$97,000 ↓ -$8K

For Sale

Total Time 4,577

Reg# N3746Y US

Location Tulsa, OK

Via Dan Howard Aircraft Sales, Inc.

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1981 Piper Archer

$126,876

For Sale

Total Time 6,850

Reg# N83670 US

Location Germany

Via Thomas v. Hake

3 sources

Listed today

1972 Cessna 182P

$349,900

For Sale

Reg# N7489Q US

Via Jason Boyd

3 sources

Listed today

Cirrus SR22

No photo available

$599,900

For Sale

Reg# N4971 US

Via Airmart, Inc.

Listed 11d ago

Cessna R182

No photo available

$209,900

For Sale

Total Time 3,575

Reg# N737FY US

Location Rucker, AL

Via Airmart, Inc.

Listed 1mo ago

1970 Cessna 150K

No photo available

$65,000

For Sale

Total Time 500

Reg# CF-TRK

Location Sarnia, ON, Canada

Via Rajpal Singh Kalsi

Listed 1mo ago

1979 Cessna 152

No photo available

$81,479 ↓ -$435

For Sale

Reg# F-GCHJ France

Location France

Via B.M.A.

Listed 1mo ago

1968 Cessna 172

No photo available

Contact for Price

For Sale

Reg# OY-AGG Denmark

Location Denmark

Via Alebco

Listed 1mo ago

Limited info

2007 Mooney Acclaim

No photo available

Contact for Price

For Sale

Reg# N708BC US

Location France

Via Aurelien G.

Listed 1mo ago

Limited info

2021 Sonaca S-200

No photo available

$133,859 ↓ -$714

For Sale

Total Time 1,400

Reg# F-HGJP France

Location France

Via Jean Louis LBB

Listed 1mo ago

1948 Stampe SV-4 project 4ea

No photo available

Contact for Price

For Sale

Reg# OO-GIV

Location Belgium

Via Raymond's Aircraft Restoration bvba

Listed 1mo ago

Limited info

Single Engine Piston for Sale

2003 Cirrus SR20

1979 Cessna R172 Hawk XP

2014 Cirrus SR22T

2001 Cessna 182T

1966 Beechcraft Debonair 33

1965 Mooney M20E

2007 Cirrus SR20

2002 Robin DR-400

2021 Sonaca S201

1960 Dornier Do 27 A-4

1956 Commonwealth Aircraft Corp CA-25

1977 Cessna A185F

2001 Waco YMF-5C

1964 Cessna 210

1981 Piper Archer

1972 Cessna 182P

Cirrus SR22

Cessna R182

1970 Cessna 150K

1979 Cessna 152

1968 Cessna 172

2007 Mooney Acclaim

2021 Sonaca S-200

1948 Stampe SV-4 project 4ea

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