This 1979 Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota Is a High-Flying ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Integrated G3X glass, GFC-500 autopilot, and fresh turbocharged engine bring elite situational awareness.

FLYING Staff

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1979 Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota [Credit: AircraftMerchants]

Key Takeaways:

The article highlights a 1979 Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota as "Today's Top Pick," praised for its versatility in high-altitude, fast cruising, and impressive gear-carrying capabilities.
This specific aircraft features a factory-new turbocharged Continental engine installed in April 2023 and an extensively upgraded Garmin avionics suite, including a G3X Touch PFD and GFC-500 autopilot.
Boasting a 1,166-pound useful load, a well-maintained interior and exterior, and priced at $239,500, it's presented as an excellent opportunity for pilots seeking modern technology and heavy-lifting performance.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota.

Offering pilots the ability to fly high, cruise fast, and carry an impressive amount of gear, the Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota sets a benchmark for single-engine versatility. Designed to get above the weather and handle high terrain with ease, this specific aircraft combines excellent situational awareness with raw performance, making it a rare find for owners who want to go everywhere and carry everything.

Accumulating 4,250 total hours on the airframe to date, this model boasts a formidable 1,166-pound useful load to maximize its hauling capabilities, aided by the removal of the air conditioning system. The exterior is maintained in very good condition, featuring a 1993 paint scheme with a gray lower section, white upper, and red accent stripes, while aerodynamic and operational additions like vortex generators, Met-Co-Aire fiberglass wingtips, LED lighting, and wheel pants enhance its overall ramp presence.

Exploring the cabin highlights a well-kept interior environment tailored for utility and comfort. Occupants are treated to comfortable tan leather seating, gold carpets, custom instrument panel, and practical baggage area complete with hat rack to easily stow travel essentials.

Providing the muscle for those high-altitude missions is a factory-new, turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-FB9B engine that was installed in April 2023 and is kept ready for cold weather with a Tanis engine preheater. This fresh powerplant turns a dynamically balanced McCauley three-blade propeller, which utilizes an STC and an AeroTechnologies governor for smooth, reliable thrust.

Scanning the upgraded flight deck reveals an incredibly modern, custom avionics suite anchored by a Garmin G3X Touch PFD with engine information and lean assist, alongside a Garmin GTN-750 WAAS IFR GPS/nav/comm. The all-glass setup is further augmented by a Garmin GFC-500 autopilot with pitch trim, Garmin G-5 standby ADI, GTX-345 transponder with ADS-B In/Out, Garmin GNC-225 comm, and GMA35C remote audio panel featuring Bluetooth and a four-place intercom.

Listed at $239,500, this hangar-kept machine has transparent logs detailing a minor 1983 hangar rash repair. It represents an exceptional opportunity for pilots seeking modern technology paired with heavy-lifting performance.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.