Archer LX vs Pilot 100i
The Archer LX leads, topping 2 of 7 compared metrics.
The Piper Aircraft Archer LX (introduced 2017) 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. On paper they are closely matched, so the decision usually turns on cabin, economics and availability. 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.
Archer LX vs Pilot 100i: the key differences
- The Archer LX and Pilot 100i are evenly matched on range, both at 522 nm.
- The Archer LX and Pilot 100i are evenly matched on cruise speed, both at 128 kt.
- The Archer LX and Pilot 100i are evenly matched on passenger capacity, both at 4 seats.
- The Pilot 100i is the newer design (introduced 2019 versus 2017 for the Archer LX), a gap of 2 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The Archer LX is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (2,558 lbs versus 2,550 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
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 Archer LX 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 Archer LX 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.
Archer LX vs Pilot 100i: FAQs
Which is newer, the Archer LX or the Pilot 100i?
The Pilot 100i is the newer design, introduced in 2019 versus 2017 for the Archer LX.
Is the Archer LX or the Pilot 100i the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the Archer LX is the larger aircraft — 2,558 lbs versus 2,550 lbs for the Pilot 100i.
Should I buy the Archer LX or the Pilot 100i?
On published specifications the Archer LX 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 Archer LX 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.