Cessna Price: New, Used & Ownership Costs

Cessna is a brand rather than a single airplane. Textron Aviation builds Cessna piston singles like the 172, turboprops like the Caravan, and Citation business jets. The prices span from a few tens of thousands of dollars for an old trainer to tens of millions for a new jet. This page focuses on the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the model most people mean when they ask what a Cessna costs, because it is the one with the most published price data.

The airplane is only part of the bill. Insurance, storage, annual inspections, fuel, and engine reserves add up, and they matter as much as the purchase price for anyone planning to fly regularly. Textron generally prices new aircraft through dealers, so most published numbers are estimates from guides rather than a price list.

Estimates cluster in the mid-six figures, with the spread driven mainly by avionics and options.

The base model is the entry point, and the version with the Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit costs more. Fully optioned aircraft with air conditioning, leather seats, extra avionics, and custom paint can cost more than any of the numbers above. Sales tax, delivery, and dealer fees are separate.

The used market is large because the 172 has been in production since the 1950s, and prices run from the price of a car to the price of a house.

Each source gives a different range because they count different aircraft. A wide range reflects the huge spread in age and condition, from a 1960s airframe with a tired engine to a late-model aircraft with modern avionics.

Age is the simplest guide to value, though it is not the only one.

Older aircraft cost less up front, but they often have older engines, harder-to-find parts, and more maintenance. A cheaper airframe is not always cheaper to own. Engine time since overhaul, corrosion history, and avionics matter as much as the year.

Buying is a one-time cost. Owning one is a recurring one.

The first row is the total yearly ownership cost before the engine starts, and the second isolates the annual inspection labor. Parts and corrective maintenance found during the inspection can add to that bill.

Flying costs extra by the hour:

That per-hour figure rolls fuel, maintenance reserves, insurance, and hangar rent into one number for owners who fly regularly. The per-hour cost falls as you fly more, because fixed costs get spread across more hours.

If you fly only occasionally, renting from a flight school or club usually costs less than owning because you avoid the purchase price and fixed costs. Owning becomes more attractive as hours go up, or if you want the aircraft available on your schedule and equipped to your preferences. A flight school can give current hourly rental rates.

• Piston singles such as the 182 Skylane and 206 Stationair carry more power and payload than the 172 and cost more.
• Turboprops such as the Caravan are workhorses for cargo and regional operators and cost far more than piston airplanes.
• Citation jets are business jets that start in the millions when new. Prices for those depend on the model, and they have their own guide.

For anything other than the 172, ask a dealer or broker for current pricing, since published figures are scarce.

• Model and year. Newer, larger, and more powerful models cost more.
• Avionics. Glass cockpits, autopilots, and ADS-B equipment raise the value.
• Engine time. Hours since overhaul are one of the biggest factors in a used airplane.
• Maintenance history. Complete logbooks and a clean damage history support a higher price.
• Condition. Paint, interior, and corrosion all affect what a buyer will pay.

• Can I see the logbooks and the history of any damage?
• How many hours remain until the engine overhaul?
• What does a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic cost?
• What will insurance cost for my experience and the aircraft's value?
• Where will I keep it, and what does hangar or tie-down cost at that airport?

An independent inspection by a certified mechanic is a standard step in any aircraft purchase and is worth the fee.