PA-24-400

Seats: 4 4
Power: 260 hp194 kW
Cruise: 161 kt298 km/h
US register: 74 aircraft74 aircraft

About the PA-24-400

The Piper PA-24-400 is an American single-engine, type-certificated fixed-wing aircraft featuring a four-seat capacity. Built to a low-wing layout with retractable landing gear and a laminar-flow wing, it suits private aviators, flight schools, and travelers seeking efficient cross-country transport.

Developed as part of the broader Comanche family, the airframe first flew in the mid-fifties and remained in production through the early seventies. Over its manufacturing lifespan, the line expanded into several distinct variants powered by varying piston powerplants, including the unique eight-cylinder version specifically developed for the four-hundred horsepower tier. The aircraft gained popularity for personal transportation, and numerous examples continue to fly under private ownership today.

Engines fitted

73 aircraft

Engine	Power	Share of fleet	Aircraft
Lycoming IO-720	400 hp		72
Lycoming O-540	250 hp		1

The PA-24-400 is a variant of the Piper PA-24 Comanche. Other variants: PA-24-180, PA-24-250, PA-24-260.

Specifications

PA-24-260C · Lycoming IO-540

Dimensions

Length: 25 ft 0 in 7.62 m7.62 m 25 ft 0 in
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in 10.97 m10.97 m 36 ft 0 in
Wing area: 178 sq ft 16.5 m²16.5 m² 178 sq ft

Weights

Empty weight: 1,773 lb 804 kg804 kg 1,773 lb
Max take-off weight: 3,200 lb 1,451 kg1,451 kg 3,200 lb

Performance

Cruise speed: 161 kt 298 km/h298 km/h 161 kt
Max speed: 169 kt 314 km/h314 km/h 169 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne): 197 kt 365 km/h365 km/h 197 kt
Stall speed: N/A
Range: 1,064 nm 1,971 km1,971 km 1,064 nm
Service ceiling: 19,500 ft 5,944 m5,944 m 19,500 ft
Rate of climb: 1,320 ft/min 6.7 m/s6.7 m/s 1,320 ft/min

Powerplant

Engine: Lycoming IO-540
Engine power: 260 hp 194 kW194 kW 260 hp

Capacity

Seats: 4

ICAO type designator: PA24
Type certificate: US 1A15
Manufacturer: Piper
Country: United States
On the US register: 74
Registered in: Australia, United States, Canada
Official website: piper.com

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PA-24-400 running costs

$351 an hour

Hours a year Aircraft value (USD)

A year
	Low	Typical	High
Fuel	$13,741	$17,630	$20,608
Oil	$320	$400	$520
Engine overhaul reserve	$3,333	$3,958	$5,192
Propeller overhaul reserve	$917	$1,083	$1,250
Annual inspection and maintenance	$3,000	$4,000	$5,000
Hangar	$3,000	$6,300	$9,600
Insurance	$1,371	$1,759	$2,147

Total	$25,682	$35,130	$44,317
Per hour	$257	$351	$443