172 Skyhawk vs Pilot 100i
The 172 Skyhawk leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
The Cessna / Textron Aviation 172 Skyhawk (introduced 1955) and the Piper Aircraft Pilot 100i (introduced 2019) are two aircraft buyers regularly weigh against each other. Both are trainers, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is range, where the 172 Skyhawk has the advantage. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
172 Skyhawk vs Pilot 100i: the key differences
- The 172 Skyhawk delivers 33% more range (172 Skyhawk: 696 nm; Pilot 100i: 522 nm).
- The Pilot 100i delivers 5% more cruise speed (172 Skyhawk: 122 kt; Pilot 100i: 128 kt).
- The 172 Skyhawk and Pilot 100i are evenly matched on passenger capacity, both at 4 seats.
- The Pilot 100i is the newer design (introduced 2019 versus 1955 for the 172 Skyhawk), a gap of 64 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for short-haul and regional hops, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the 172 Skyhawk seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the 172 Skyhawk leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The Pilot 100i can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
More comparisons
172 Skyhawk vs Pilot 100i: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 172 Skyhawk or the Pilot 100i?
The 172 Skyhawk has the longer published range — 696 nm versus 522 nm for the Pilot 100i.
Which is faster, the 172 Skyhawk or the Pilot 100i?
The Pilot 100i cruises faster, at 128 kt versus 122 kt for the 172 Skyhawk.
Which is newer, the 172 Skyhawk or the Pilot 100i?
The Pilot 100i is the newer design, introduced in 2019 versus 1955 for the 172 Skyhawk.
Should I buy the 172 Skyhawk or the Pilot 100i?
On published specifications the 172 Skyhawk leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The Pilot 100i can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 172 Skyhawk vs Pilot 100i?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.