Today’s Top Pick is a 1963 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche.

Take your mind back to the mid-1950s when Piper executives were working on their answer to rival Beechcraft’s Bonanza, a slick, all-metal jewel in a sea of kite-like, high-wing, rag-and-tube aircraft that characterized general aviation at the time.

The resulting Piper PA-24 Comanche was similarly modern, even futuristic. Generally lower list prices for the Piper helped drive brisk sales. Pilots searching the used market today can expect similar value opportunities in the used-aircraft market.

Unlike the Bonanza, which has remained on the market even through difficult times for the aviation industry, the Comanche’s retail run was cut short by a flood that wrecked the company’s Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, factory in 1972. The resulting damage to tooling led to the abrupt end of Comanche production. The relatively high cost of assembling the PA-24 also made it easier for Piper to let the old bird go.

This 1963 Piper Comanche has 2,018 hours on the airframe, 102 hours since overhaul on its Lycoming 0-540 engine, and 5.79 hours since overhaul on its propeller. The aircraft is equipped with chrome cylinders.

The IFR panel includes King KX 170 and KX 175 nav/comm radios, Narco At150 transponder, Sky Beacon for ADS-B Out, Sky Sensor ADS-B In, S-TEC autopilot, King KMA 20 audio panel, Skycom 200E intercom, and Alcor EGT instrument.

Pilots who are looking for a fast, handsome, high-performance retractable single and agree that age is just a number should consider this 1963 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, which is available for $100,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

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The post This 1963 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche Is a Stylish, Classic ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III.

Piper rolled out the PA-28R as the Cherokee Arrow in 1967 but soon dropped “Cherokee” from its name even though the only significant differences were the Arrow’s retractable gear and constant-speed propeller. The Arrow was also a lot faster than the fixed-gear PA28 with similar power, and gave Piper a model to compete with Mooney M20s and other entry-level retractables.

When discussing the Arrow, people will tell you that the ability to outpace its fixed-gear relatives does not make the aircraft a true speedster and that pilots should not expect more than 140 ktas in cruise. The Turbo Arrow III version for sale here, however, is the exception. Its turbocharged Continental TSIO-360 engine gives pilots the option of flying at higher altitudes without losing power the way naturally aspirated engines do. Turbo Arrows can reach 170 ktas given the right combination of power setting and altitude, which makes them capable traveling machines.   

This 1978 Piper Turbo Arrow III has 4,921 hours on the airframe and 159 hours on its 200 hp Continental TSIO-360 engine since overhaul in 2019 by Western Skyways. There are 884 hours on the Hartzell propeller since overhaul.

The panel features a Garmin GNC 420W GPS/Com, Bendix-King KX155 Nav/Com, Lynx NGT9000 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, AutoControl IIIB autopilot, Garmin Aera 660 with SiriusXM weather and audio, PS engineering audio panel with four-place intercom, and Electronics International instruments for manifold pressure, tachometer, oil pressure and temperature, fuel computer, CHT/EGT, amps and volts.

Additional equipment includes a standby vacuum system, Tanis engine preheater, electric pitch trim, rudder trim, dual toe brakes, LED landing light, and external power receptacle.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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The post This 1978 Piper PA-28R Turbo Arrow III Is a Faster-Than-Expected ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1975 Beechcraft A24R Sierra.

When pilots get together for long chats, the conversation often turns to training experiences, including the airplanes in which they took their check rides before receiving private pilot certificates. There are Cessna people who trained in 150s and 172s, and Piper people who trained in PA-28s. But there is a third group whose primary training came in fixed-gear Beechcrafts like the Musketeer and Sundowner, which are close relatives of the more advanced A24R Sierra for sale here.

To compete with the likes of Piper’s Arrow and Cessna’s retractable 172s and 177s, Beechcraft improved its basic trainer airframe with more power, retractable gear, and a constant-speed propeller. The changes gave the aircraft extra speed, carrying capacity, and overall utility. Fans of the model point to its roomy cabin and build quality that set it apart from some competing models. The Sierra is known for details such as extra space for six seats and trailing-link landing gear that help smooth out landings. It also sits impressively high on the ramp.

This 1975 Sierra has 4,143 hours on the airframe and 1,620 hours on the engine. Its IFR-certified panel includes a Garmin GTN 650, dual Garmin G5s, a GTX 330 ADS-B transponder, GMA 340 audio panel, Century II autopilot, JPI 700 engine monitor, and King KX 170B nav/com. Paint and interior are original.

Pilots looking to step up to a roomy, economical, four-seat retractable for faster-paced personal or family travel, or to build time in a complex aircraft, should consider this 1975 Beechcraft A24R Sierra, which  is available for $119,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

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The post Today’s Top Aircraft For Sale Pick: 1975 Beechcraft A24R Sierra appeared first on FLYING Magazine.