Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP

Six-seat normally aspirated retractable-gear transport · Single-engine piston aircraft · in production 1980-1992 · See its reach on the 3D globe

Photo: ZLEA · CC BY-SA 4.0

Indicative 1986 market price€267k to €319k

Estimated annual cost at 80 h€84k

Five-year cash outlay€708k

Key figures

Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.

Seats	6
Reported payload proxy	517 kg
Reported range	870 nm
Practical planning radius (4 people)	Not used for mission ranking
Cruise speed	155 kt
Runway need	~590 m
Pressurised	No
Fuel	Avgas 100LL
Fixed annual base	€29k
Direct cost per flight hour	€270

The ownership trade-off

A large and practical cabin with no turbo complexity, but gear, fuel burn and loading remain expensive.

Cost picture at different usage

40 hours/year: about €73k per year ( €1820 per flight hour all-in)
80 hours/year: about €84k per year ( €1045 per flight hour all-in)
120 hours/year: about €94k per year ( €787 per flight hour all-in)
180 hours/year: about €111k per year ( €614 per flight hour all-in)

Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €56k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.

Where it fits well

155 kt cruise supports credible cross-country touring.
870 nm reported range is retained for profile context, but PlaneFit does not use it for mission ranking yet.
517 kg reported payload proxy and 6 seats define the cabin context pending source-level normalization.

Limitations to price honestly

A large and practical cabin with no turbo complexity, but gear, fuel burn and loading remain expensive.
€29k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
Approximate 590 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.

Recommended missions

Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
Recreational, training or personal travel where operating efficiency is more important than airline-like speed.