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Piston aircraft for charter

The cheapest way to fly privately, and the only way into the smallest strips: piston twins and singles for short legs where a jet makes no economic sense.

4Aircraft in class
3–6Passengers
1,049–1,327 nmRange

Compare the class

Every piston aircraft we charter, side by side

Published type figures, sorted by range. Tap a name for the full page on that aircraft.

AircraftPaxRangeCruiseCabinBaggagePer hour
Cirrus SR22
Cirrus Aircraft · 2001
3
max 4
1,049 nm183 kton request
Diamond DA42 Twin Star
Diamond Aircraft · 2004
3
max 3
1,210 nm176 kton request
Cessna 402C Businessliner
Cessna · 1978
6
max 6
1,273 nm142 kton request
Cessna 414A Chancellor
Cessna · 1978
5
max 6
1,327 nm183 kton request

Hourly figures are US charter-market estimates for comparison, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on operator, date, positioning and airport fees.

Where they can go

Runway reality for piston aircraft

This class typically needs about 3,000 ft of runway at mid weights. Against the 135 airports we hold real runway data for: 135 can take it, 0 cannot. That is the constraint most fleet guides leave out.

Runway requirement is typical for the class, not a manufacturer limit — temperature, elevation and payload move it, and dispatch checks the actual field for your date.

Other classes

Not sure this is the right size?

Dispatch will tell you honestly if a smaller cabin does the job for less.

Good to know

Piston aircraft charter questions

How much does it cost to charter a piston aircraft?

Rates for this class vary too much by operator, aircraft age and configuration for a single published figure to be honest. Dispatch sends a fixed all-in quote for your actual route and dates, usually within 30 minutes.

How far can piston aircraft fly?

1,049–1,327 nautical miles depending on the type. The longest-legged here is the Cessna 414A Chancellor at 1,327 nm. Real range drops with headwind, a full cabin and hot or high airports, so we plan the fuel stop rather than discover it.

How many passengers do piston aircraft carry?

3–6 in normal charter layouts. Baggage is usually the real constraint before seats.

Which airports can piston aircraft use?

This class typically needs around 3,000 ft of runway at mid weights. Measured against the 135 airports we hold real runway data for, 135 can take it and 0 cannot. Temperature, field elevation and payload all move that figure, so dispatch checks the actual airport against your date before confirming.

What is the difference between piston aircraft and the next class up?

Cabin volume and range, mostly — and the hourly rate that comes with them. A bigger cabin buys you stand-up height, a proper lavatory and longer legs without a fuel stop. If your route is short and the group is small, paying for the bigger cabin buys comfort rather than capability, and dispatch will say so.

Price a piston aircraft on your route

Tell dispatch where and when. Real availability and one fixed all-in number, usually within half an hour.

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