Loading…
Loading…
Loading…

What a Ryan PT-22 Recruit costs, how far it flies, and what it costs to keep

PlaneFox tracks 4 Ryan PT-22 Recruit aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.

How far can a Ryan PT-22 Recruit fly?

A Ryan PT-22 Recruit flies about 201 nm, roughly 372 km, which is about 2 h 19 min in still air at typical cruise.

More questions about the Ryan PT-22 Recruit

How much does a Ryan PT-22 Recruit cost?
Used Ryan PT-22 Recruit prices vary depending on year of manufacture, airframe hours, avionics and overall condition. Browse the current Ryan PT-22 Recruit listings on PlaneFox to see real-time asking prices from European brokers and private sellers.
What is the price range for a used Ryan PT-22 Recruit?
Ryan PT-22 Recruit prices depend heavily on year, airframe hours, engine time since overhaul and equipment level. Check the live Ryan PT-22 Recruit listings on PlaneFox to see the current asking-price range from brokers and private sellers.
How many Ryan PT-22 Recruit aircraft are for sale right now?
PlaneFox lists 4 Ryan PT-22 Recruit aircraft for sale right now, gathered from the broker and dealer sites it watches. The count moves through the week as those sources are re-read. Because PlaneFox reads the same listings repeatedly over time, it also shows which have cut their asking price and which have sold.
Where can I find a Ryan PT-22 Recruit for sale?
Every Ryan PT-22 Recruit PlaneFox can see is on this page — 4 of them, gathered from the broker and dealer sites it re-reads continuously. Most are listed in Italy (1), followed by United Kingdom (1), Hungary (1) and United States (1). Each listing links straight through to the seller, so a Ryan PT-22 Recruit in another country is worth considering rather than filtering out.
What should I check when buying a used Ryan PT-22 Recruit?
On a used Ryan PT-22 Recruit, check airframe hours, engine time since overhaul, avionics generation and damage history before anything else. PlaneFox recommends a pre-purchase inspection by an EASA Part-145 shop that knows the type, which typically costs EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,500. Under 1,500 airframe hours is low-time and above 3,500 means budgeting for higher maintenance; most piston engines run a 2,000-hour TBO, so past 1,500 to 1,700 hours since overhaul expect the overhaul within one to three years at EUR 25,000 to EUR 45,000. Read the full logbook history for prop strikes, gear-up landings and structural repair, and confirm ADs and SBs are complied with.

About the Ryan PT-22 Recruit

Aircraft overview

The Ryan PT-22 Recruit is a World War II era primary trainer built by Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego, California. Developed from the Ryan ST trainer family, the PT-22 entered U.S. Army Air Corps service in 1941 and was produced during the early war years, with more than 1,000 examples built. Unlike the PT-21, the Ryan PT-22 Recruit used a radial engine installation, giving it a distinct appearance and operating character. It matters today as one of the recognizable American open cockpit military trainers, valued for its low wing handling, period authenticity and direct connection to early wartime pilot training.

Performance & specifications

Typical Ryan PT-22 Recruit performance is modest by modern standards, but appropriate for its trainer role. Cruise speed is commonly around 90 knots, with maximum speed often cited near 108 knots. Range is approximately 180 to 210 nautical miles depending on power setting, fuel load and aircraft condition. Service ceiling is generally listed around 15,000 feet. The aircraft is powered by a Kinner R-540 series five cylinder radial engine rated at about 160 hp. Maximum gross weight is about 1,860 lb, with useful load commonly in the 500 to 550 lb range, but individual aircraft should be checked against current weight and balance records.

Cabin & avionics

The Ryan PT-22 Recruit has two seats in tandem under open cockpits, with the student and instructor arrangement reflecting its military training purpose. There is no modern cabin in the contemporary sense, no pressurization, no heating system comparable to later touring aircraft and limited space for personal items. Visibility is a major part of the flying experience, while wind, noise and weather exposure are inherent to the design. Original instrumentation was simple and training focused. Surviving aircraft typically carry basic VFR equipment, often including a comm radio, transponder, ADS-B equipment where required and engine monitoring suited to the Kinner radial. Garmin Perspective or G1000 avionics are not typical for this aircraft.

Buying & value

Prospective buyers should evaluate the Ryan PT-22 Recruit as a historic aircraft rather than a practical cross country machine. Important inspection areas include airframe corrosion, fabric condition, wing and tail structure, landing gear condition, control cable routing, brake installations and quality of prior restoration work. Engine status is central to value, since Kinner R-540 parts, overhaul expertise and accessory condition can affect operating cost and dispatch reliability. Logbook continuity, military provenance, conformity to original configuration and any approved modern equipment installations all influence desirability. The used market generally positions the Ryan PT-22 Recruit among collectible warbird trainers, below higher performance advanced trainers, but above ordinary vintage light aircraft when documentation and restoration quality are strong.

4 Ryan PT-22 Recruit aircraft are for sale on PlaneFox today.

See all 4 listings