If you're scouting the market for a light-sport aircraft, you've probably noticed that the aeroprakt a-22 price stays surprisingly competitive despite how much the general aviation world is changing. It's one of those planes that just makes sense for people who want to fly without burning a hole straight through their bank account. Whether you call it the A-22, the Foxbat, or the Valor, this little Ukrainian-built bird has carved out a massive niche for itself, and for good reason. It's rugged, it's got visibility that would make a fighter pilot jealous, and it doesn't require a second mortgage to keep in the air.
But what are you actually looking at when it comes to the check you'll have to write? The numbers can jump around quite a bit depending on whether you're buying a brand-new factory build, a used model with a few hundred hours on it, or a kit that you plan to sweat over in your garage for the next year.
Buying New: The Factory Fresh Experience
Buying a brand-new plane is a dream for a lot of us, and the aeroprakt a-22 price for a factory-rolled unit is actually one of the more "approachable" figures in the LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) world. Generally speaking, you're looking at a range between $90,000 and $120,000 USD for a well-equipped new model.
Now, I know "approachable" is a relative term, but when you compare that to some of the sleek carbon-fiber LSAs that are pushing $200k or $250k, the A-22 starts to look like a bargain. The base price usually gets you the airframe and a reliable Rotax engine, but the final number depends heavily on what you put in the panel. If you want the latest Garmin touchscreens and an autopilot that can fly the plane while you drink coffee, that price is going to creep toward the higher end of the spectrum.
One thing to keep in mind with new orders is the wait time. Since these are built in Ukraine, the global situation has occasionally shifted delivery timelines, but the factory has been incredibly resilient. Shipping costs and import duties are also "hidden" extras that can tack on a few thousand dollars depending on where in the world you're sitting.
The Pre-Owned Market: Where the Deals Are
Most of us are looking at the used market, and that's where the aeroprakt a-22 price gets really interesting. You can find older models, often with the 80hp Rotax 912UL, starting as low as $55,000 to $65,000.
If you want the more powerful 100hp 912ULS engine—which most people do, because that extra 20 horses makes a big difference in STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) performance—you're likely looking at $70,000 to $85,000.
Why the price gap? It usually comes down to three things: engine hours, avionics, and history. A Foxbat that's spent its life at a flight school might have 1,500 hours on the airframe. It'll be cheaper, sure, but you'll want to look closely at the logs. A privately owned one that's been pampered in a hangar is going to command a premium. The beauty of the A-22 is that it's a metal airplane. It's easy to inspect, easy to repair, and it holds its value remarkably well because there's always a line of new pilots looking for a solid first plane.
What Actually Drives the Price Up?
When you're comparing two different listings, it's easy to get confused as to why one is $15,000 more expensive than the other. Here's the breakdown of what's usually padding that aeroprakt a-22 price:
The Engine Choice
As I mentioned, the Rotax 912ULS (100hp) is the gold standard for this airframe. If you find one with the fuel-injected 912iS, expect to pay even more. The fuel-injected models are more efficient and don't suffer from carb ice, but they add weight and cost. Most buyers find the 100hp carbureted version to be the "sweet spot" for value.
Avionics and "The Glass"
The days of just having an altimeter and a compass are mostly gone. If the plane has a modern Dynon or Garmin SkyView system, that's a huge value add. A full glass cockpit can easily add $10k to $20k to the value of a used plane compared to one with "steam gauges."
Wheels and Fairings
Are you looking for a bush plane or a cross-country cruiser? An A-22 equipped with huge tundra tires for landing on gravel bars is going to cost more than one with standard wheels and wheel pants. Those big tires look cool, but they also change the utility of the plane.
Operating Costs: The "Real" Price of Ownership
We can't talk about the aeroprakt a-22 price without talking about what it costs to actually fly the thing. This is where the A-22 wins hands down.
Because it's an LSA and often runs on Mogas (automotive fuel), your hourly fuel cost is incredibly low. Most Rotax 912 engines burn about 4 to 5 gallons per hour. If you're paying $5 a gallon for premium auto gas, you're flying for $25 an hour in fuel. Compare that to a Cessna 172 burning 9 gallons of $7 Avgas, and you'll see why the A-22 is so popular for people who actually want to put hours in their logbook.
Maintenance is also relatively straightforward. Since it's a simple, robust design, a standard annual inspection isn't going to result in the kind of heart-attack-inducing bills you might get with a complex certified aircraft. If you're handy and have the right certifications (like an LSRM-A in the US), you can even do a lot of the work yourself, which slashes the long-term aeroprakt a-22 price of ownership even further.
Is It Worth the Investment?
When people ask me if the aeroprakt a-22 price is justified, I always tell them to look at the visibility. You sit in that cockpit, and it feels like you're floating in a glass bubble. The doors are almost entirely transparent, and the wings are high enough that they don't block your view of the ground. For sightseeing, photography, or just enjoying the sunset, it's hard to beat.
Beyond the view, it's a "pussycat" to fly. It's forgiving, it handles slow speeds like a champ, and it can land on a postage stamp. That ease of use means you're more likely to fly it often, which lowers your "cost per hour" over the life of the plane.
Another point in its favor is the resale market. Because these planes are in high demand and the factory output is limited, they don't tend to sit on the market for long. If you buy a used one for $75,000 today and fly it for two years, there's a very good chance you'll be able to sell it for close to what you paid, provided you kept it in good shape.
Final Thoughts on the Numbers
At the end of the day, the aeroprakt a-22 price is a reflection of its reputation. It isn't the fastest plane in the sky—you'll probably cruise at around 85 to 95 knots—but it's one of the most practical.
If you're looking for a plane that's easy on the wallet, fun to fly, and won't lose all its value the moment you park it in your hangar, the A-22 is a top-tier contender. Just make sure you do a thorough pre-buy inspection, especially if you're looking at a used model that's been used for training. Those "school" planes have seen a lot of landings, and while the A-22 is tough, everything has its limits.
Whether you're spending $60k on a well-loved veteran or $110k on a shiny new one with all the bells and whistles, you're getting one of the best "bang-for-your-buck" experiences in the sky today. Happy hunting, and hopefully, I'll see you in the pattern!