Piper · 1967–1976
Piper Arrow / Arrow II (1967-1976)
Specifications
Performance
Cruise
135KTAS
Range
825nm
Climb
875fpm
Ceiling
16,500ft
Fuel Burn
10.5gph
Fuel Cap.
50gal
MPG
14.8mpg
Stall (Vs0)
53KIAS
T/O roll
820ft
Ldg roll
615ft
Size & weight
Seats
4
Useful Load
1030lbs
Full-fuel payload
730lbs
Max gross
2,650lbs
Wingspan
30ft
Length
24.2ft
Engine
Engine
Lycoming IO-360-C1C
Power
200hp
TBO
2,000hrs
Overhaul
$45k
Owning it
Hull insurance
$2k/yr
Parts
excellent
Mechanics
common
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Full specification
V-speeds
Airframe
- Empty weight
- 1,620 lbs
- Max fuel weight
- 300 lbs
- Height
- 8 ft
- Wing position
- low
Obstacle performance
- Takeoff over 50 ft
- 1,605 ft
- Landing over 50 ft
- 1,525 ft
Paperwork
- Type certificate
- 2A13
- Certification basis
- CAR 3
These figures are typical for the model, not a specification for any individual aircraft. Real-world numbers vary with year, installed equipment, weight, modifications and engine condition — often by more than you would expect. Use them to compare types, and confirm anything you would act on against the Pilot's Operating Handbook for that specific airframe and a prebuy inspection.
Pricing
Typical
$90k
Range
$60k – $130k
Annual all-in
~$25k/yr
All-in at ~100 flying hours a year, using the midpoint of each range — the same figures broken out under “Cost to own” below. Your number will differ, and mostly for two reasons. Experience sets your insurance: a 2,000-hour pilot with recent training pays 30–40% less than a 200-hour owner, and student owners pay 20–40% more — on the same aircraft that is often a doubling. Location sets your hangar: a T-hangar runs $200–400 a month in the Midwest against $400–1,500 in a coastal metro, and an outside tie-down is less again. Engine reserves move too — a local shop reusing your serviceable cylinders can come in 30–50% under the national specialty-shop pricing we quote, though you trade the warranty and turnaround that comes with it. Reserves are money set aside toward a future overhaul, not a bill this year, and the annual inspection figure is the shop’s labor to look — whatever they find is separate.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel, maintenance and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (10.5 gph)
- $6,825
- Engine reserve
- $2,250
- Propeller reserve
- $175
- Maintenance, parts & wear items ($22/hr)
- $2,200
- Insurance
- $1,600–$3,000
- Hangar
- $4,356–$10,890
- Annual inspection (labor only)
- $2,500
- Databases & subscriptions
- $700
- Total per year
- $24,573
- Per flight hour
- $246
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 15,536 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.58/mi
- Time in the air
- 2 hr 13 min
- Fuel burned
- 23 gal
- Out of pocket
- $254
Fuel, engine reserve and wear only. Insurance, hangar and the annual are already paid whether you make the trip or not, so they are not charged here.
Estimate, not a quote. Where a line shows a range, the total, per-hour and per-mile figures use its midpoint— insurance moves most with your experience and time in type, hangar with where you base the aircraft, so your own number could sit at either end. Annual inspection is the shop's labor to open and inspect — what they find is the maintenance line, which covers oil changes, plugs, tires, brakes, hoses, lights, a battery and vacuum pump amortised over their life, and the unscheduled squawks that are the largest and least predictable part of it. Reserves are sinking funds toward an overhaul, not a bill you pay this year — and note that a propeller is due on hours or calendar time, typically six years, so flying less does not put it off forever.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Overview
The 1967-1976 Piper Arrow is the first retractable-gear PA-28 -- a Cherokee 180 airframe with a 180/200 HP fuel-injected Lycoming engine and retractable landing gear. The Arrow targeted the complex/HP trainer market as well as light cross-country mission, becoming one of the most produced retractable singles in GA history.
Two distinct variants spanned the Hershey-bar wing Arrow era:
- PA-28R-180 Arrow (1967-1971): Original, Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 HP
- PA-28R-200 Arrow II (1972-1976): Upgraded to Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 HP, stretched fuselage (+5")
Approximately 5,000 Arrow/Arrow II units were produced. The Hershey-bar wing era ended in 1977 with the introduction of the tapered-wing Arrow III (PA-28R-201).
Automatic Gear Extension (Original Arrow)
Original 1967-1971 Arrows featured a controversial automatic gear extension system -- gear would automatically extend below ~80 KIAS regardless of pilot input. This system was designed to prevent gear-up landings but caused issues:
- Unwanted gear extension during steep descents or slow flight
- Pilots developed habit of overriding the system
- AD-required modifications made the system manual override standard
Most surviving 1967-1971 Arrows have had the automatic gear system disabled or modified. Verify modification history during pre-buy.
Variants & History
| Variant | Years | Engine | HP | Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrow (PA-28R-180) | 1967-1971 | IO-360-B1E | 180 | Short |
| Arrow 200 | 1969-1971 | IO-360-C1C | 200 | Short |
| Arrow II (PA-28R-200) | 1972-1976 | IO-360-C1C | 200 | Stretched (+5") |
The Arrow II's stretched fuselage improved rear seat space and gross weight by 65 lbs over the original Arrow.
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Performance
Representative Arrow II (PA-28R-200, IO-360-C1C 200 HP):
- Cruise: 135 KTAS at 7,500 ft (75% power)
- Climb: 875 FPM at gross
- Fuel burn: 10.5 GPH cruise
- Range: 825 NM with reserves at 50 gal fuel
- Useful load: 1,030 lbs
The Hershey-bar Arrow II is 5-8 KTAS slower than the tapered-wing Arrow III but identical in engine, fuel burn, and most other specifications.
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Valuation Factors
| Variant | Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow (180 HP, 1967-1971) | Well-maintained | $55,000-$90,000 |
| Arrow 200 (1969-1971) | Well-maintained | $65,000-$100,000 |
| Arrow II (200 HP, 1972-1976) | Well-maintained | $75,000-$130,000 |
Hershey-bar Arrows trade $15,000-$30,000 below equivalent tapered-wing Arrow IIIs.
ADs & Common Problems
Universal PA-28 concerns plus Arrow-specific:
- Lycoming IO-360 cylinder condition: Borescope all four cylinders.
- Automatic gear extension status (1967-1971): Verify modification history.
- Gear retraction system inspection: Hydraulic system condition, gear doors, micro-switches.
- Spar AD compliance (AD 2020-26-16): Inspect main spar.
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