Four-seat fixed-gear high-performance tourer · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1979–1994 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Piper PA-28-236 Dakota costs approximately $179k (€166k) to $214k (€198k) to buy at 1985 market values, and about $74k (€68k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $922 (€854) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 143 kt (165 mph) and has a published range of 650 nm (1,204 km), needing about 1,640 ft (500 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The Dakota is the Cherokee that gets the most affection from the people who own one: 235 horsepower and the tapered wing on fixed gear, so it carries a real load and climbs properly without adding a constant-speed retractable system to maintain. It is the simple answer to what most Archer owners eventually want. Scarcity is the catch. Piper built it in small numbers over a long, intermittent run, so good examples are rarely on the market and command a premium over more numerous PA-28s, and the fixed gear that keeps it simple also keeps it slower than an Arrow on the same fuel. Buy it when one appears, and be ready to move.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1,361 kg |
|---|---|
| Baggage weight | 91 kg |
| Engine | Lycoming O-540-J3A5D, 235 hp at 2400 rpm |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Reported payload proxy | 798 lb (362 kg) |
| Reported range | 650 nm (1,204 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | Not used for mission ranking |
| Cruise speed | 143 kt (165 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,640 ft (500 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $21k (€19k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $205 (€190) |
Strong payload and simple fixed gear, but the small fleet makes pricing and parts comparisons less transparent.
Indicative cash costs at 1985 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $66k (€61k) | $1,639 (€1,518) | $522k (€484k) |
| 80 h / year | $74k (€68k) | $922 (€854) | $563k (€522k) |
| 120 h / year | $82k (€76k) | $683 (€633) | $604k (€560k) |
| 180 h / year | $94k (€87k) | $524 (€485) | $666k (€617k) |
Every figure above is built from a $21k (€19k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $205 (€190) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $43k (€40k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Piper PA-28-236 Dakota cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1985 market price for a Piper PA-28-236 Dakota is $179k (€166k) to $214k (€198k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Piper PA-28-236 Dakota works out at roughly $74k (€68k) annually, which is about $922 (€854) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $205 (€190).
Reported range is 650 nm (1,204 km). PlaneFit does not yet use this figure for mission ranking on this model.
Plan on approximately 1,640 ft (500 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.