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Piper · 1967–1976

Piper Arrow / Arrow II (1967-1976)

piperarrowretractablelow-winghershey-bar-wingComplexcross-countryclassic200hp

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

Vne186 KIAS
Vno148 KIAS
Va114 KIAS
Vs158 KIAS
Vx80 KIAS
Vy90 KIAS
Best glide90 KIAS

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.

100
20300
$6.50
$3$10
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
300 nm
100 nm1,000 nm
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.

Title & Escrow partnerExample placement

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

      VariantYearsEngineHPBody
      Arrow (PA-28R-180)1967-1971IO-360-B1E180Short
      Arrow 2001969-1971IO-360-C1C200Short
      Arrow II (PA-28R-200)1972-1976IO-360-C1C200Stretched (+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

      VariantConditionPrice 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.

      Financing partnerExample placement

      ADs & Common Problems

      Universal PA-28 concerns plus Arrow-specific:

      1. Lycoming IO-360 cylinder condition: Borescope all four cylinders.
      2. Automatic gear extension status (1967-1971): Verify modification history.
      3. Gear retraction system inspection: Hydraulic system condition, gear doors, micro-switches.
      4. Spar AD compliance (AD 2020-26-16): Inspect main spar.

      For sale (0)

      No listings for this model right now.

      What buyers usually weigh against the Piper Arrow / Arrow II (1967-1976) — aircraft flown for the same kind of mission.