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

Cessna 182

Contact for Price

For Sale

Location Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Via Avgas Limited

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1997 Cessna 182S

Overpriced

$355,000

For Sale

Total Time 785

Reg# C-GMNH Canada

Location Oshawa, ON, Canada

Via AVIATION UNLIMITED

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1999 Cessna 182S

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 987

Location Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Via Aviation Sales International

2 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1957 Cessna 182

Good Deal

$110,000

For Sale

Reg# C-GOFA Canada

Location Breslau, ON, Canada

Via APEX AIRCRAFT SALES LTD

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1998 Cessna 182S

Fair Price

$290,000 ↓ -$5K

For Sale

Reg# N783WW US

Location Auburn, WA

Via Joshua Neely

Listed 2mo ago

1965 Cessna 182

Great Deal

$108,680

For Sale

Total Time 4,017

Reg# HB-CMZ Switzerland

Location Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Via Diego Riva

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1960 Cessna 182

Good Deal

$105,000

For Sale

Total Time 4,478

Reg# N8684T US

Location Indianola, MS

Via Jerry Christian Aircraft Sales

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1968 Cessna 182

Great Deal

$104,000

For Sale

Reg# N42649 US

Location Wichita Falls, TX

Via Aerospace N3xt

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1967 Cessna 182

Overpriced

$239,000

For Sale

Reg# N70657 US

Location Wichita Falls, TX

Via Aerospace N3xt

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1999 Cessna 182S

Fair Price

$282,000 ↓ -$17K

For Sale

Total Time 3,646

Reg# N2380Y US

Location Winston-Salem, NC

Via Carolina Jet Inc.

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1998 Cessna 182

Fair Price

$294,900 ↓ -$25K

For Sale

Total Time 1,353

Reg# N98896 US

Location Montpelier, VT

Via Jets West

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

2000 Cessna 182S

Overpriced

$329,500

For Sale

Total Time 3,510

Reg# N78WE US

Location Fort Worth, TX

Via Aviano Aircraft Company

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

2011 Cessna 182

$528,590 ↓ -$3K

For Sale

Total Time 610

Reg# G-CYRL UK

Location United Kingdom

Via Ck Aviation Services Ltd

Listed 2mo ago

1968 Cessna 182

Great Deal

$109,000

For Sale

Total Time 3,620

Location Hawkesbury, ON, Canada

Via Canadian Aircraft Sales

Listed 2mo ago

1985 Cessna 182

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 4,680

Reg# N9484X US

Location Anchorage, AK

Via Aircraft Bidder

4 sources

Listed 2mo ago

1956 Cessna 182

Contact for Price

For Sale

Reg# N5477 US

Location Farmerville, LA

Via Justice Jones

Listed 2mo ago

1961 Cessna 182

Great Deal

$113,000

For Sale

Total Time 2,294

Reg# N8834X US

Location Grand Prairie, TX

Via On Centerline Aviation

Listed 2mo ago

1979 Cessna 182

Overpriced

$299,999

For Sale

Total Time 6,368

Reg# N96733 US

Location Caldwell, ID

Via Joe Dory Aviation

3 sources

Listed 2mo ago

Cessna 182

Fair Price

$132,000

For Sale

Total Time 5,232

Reg# N5077D US

Location Viola, ID

Via Airplane Mode Sales & Consulting

Listed 2mo ago

Cessna 182

Contact for Price

For Sale

Location Chattanooga, TN

Via RH Aviation

Listed 2mo ago

1969 Cessna 182

$135,214

For Sale

Total Time 6,329

Reg# V5-FUV

Location South Africa

Via Rochelle Govender

Listed 2mo ago

1963 Cessna 182

Overpriced

$98,337

For Sale

Total Time 5,390

Reg# ZS-MSW South Africa

Location South Africa

Via Rochelle Govender

Listed 2mo ago

1957 Cessna 182

Contact for Price

For Sale

Total Time 5,926

Reg# N3762D US

Location Greenville, SC

Via Jim Van Heukelem

Listed 2mo ago

Single Engine Piston for Sale

Cessna 182

1997 Cessna 182S

1999 Cessna 182S

1957 Cessna 182

1998 Cessna 182S

1965 Cessna 182

1960 Cessna 182

1968 Cessna 182

1967 Cessna 182

1999 Cessna 182S

1998 Cessna 182

2000 Cessna 182S

2011 Cessna 182

1968 Cessna 182

1985 Cessna 182

1956 Cessna 182

1961 Cessna 182

1979 Cessna 182

Cessna 182

Cessna 182

1999 CESSNA Cessna 182S Skylane

1969 Cessna 182

1963 Cessna 182

1957 Cessna 182

Report an Issue