Cessna 170 vs Piper PA-20 Pacer

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Cessna 170
36 ft × 25 ft ⭥ 7 ft
1× Piston Conventional Unpressurized
Piper PA-20 Pacer
29 ft × 20 ft ⭥ 8 ft
1× Piston Conventional Unpressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification Cessna 170Piper PA-20 Pacer
Stall speed 50 kt42 kt
Approach speed 59 kt55 kt
Cruise speed 104 kt109 kt
Range 410 nm430 nm
Service ceiling 15500 ft15000 ft
Rate of climb 690 fpm620 fpm
Fuel burn 8.0 gph8.0 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

Cessna 170 Avgas
8.0 gph
Baseline
410 nm range 13.0 nm/gal 37 gal usable $52 fuel/hr 4h 37m endurance
Cessna 170: 8.0 gph at cruise, 410 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 37 minute endurance, 13.0 nautical miles per gallon.
Piper PA-20 Pacer Avgas
8.0 gph
Baseline
430 nm range 13.6 nm/gal 36 gal usable $52 fuel/hr 4h 30m endurance
Piper PA-20 Pacer: 8.0 gph at cruise, 430 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 30 minute endurance, 13.6 nautical miles per gallon.
Avgas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing over 50 ft obstacle

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
Cessna 170 Avgas
$98 /hr
Baseline
Cessna 170: $98 per flight hour — fuel $52, maintenance and reserve $46.
Piper PA-20 Pacer Avgas
$98 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-20 Pacer: $98 per flight hour — fuel $52, maintenance and reserve $46.
Cessna 170 Piston
$10,510 /yr Baseline
Cessna 170: $10,510 per year — insurance $1,800, hangar $6,210, annual inspection $2,500.
Piper PA-20 Pacer Piston
$5,710 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-20 Pacer: $5,710 per year — insurance withheld, hangar $4,510, annual inspection $1,200.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

+ cargo
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Cessna 170 Piston
4 / 4 seats cargo 37 gal / 37 gal fuel 758 lbs wet payload 980 lbs useful 2,200 lbs MTOW
Piper PA-20 Pacer Piston
4 / 4 seats cargo 36 gal / 36 gal fuel 719 lbs wet payload 935 lbs useful 1,950 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: → · two fingers to move map

+ cargo
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