Piper · 1967–1976
Piper Arrow / Arrow II (1967-1976)
iSpecifications
Cruise
135KTAS
Range
825nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
1030lbs
Full-fuel payload
730lbs
Fuel Burn
10.5gph
Fuel Cap.
50gal
MPG
14.8mpg
Stall (Vs0)
53KIAS
T/O roll
820ft
Ldg roll
615ft
Power
200hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$90k
Range
$60k – $130k
Annual all-in
~$14k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (10.5 gph)
- $6,825
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $1,600
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $5,575
- Total per year
- $14,000
- Per flight hour
- $140
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 15,536 mi
- Cost per mile
- $0.90/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- First retractable-gear PA-28; proven airframe with ~5,000 units produced
- 180–200 HP fuel-injected Lycoming; capable complex/HP trainer and light cross-country
- 135 KTAS cruise on ~10.5 GPH; good range (825 NM) and 1,030 lb useful load
Weaknesses
- Hershey-bar wing 5–8 KTAS slower than tapered-wing Arrow III; trades $15k–$30k below later models
- Retractable gear adds mechanical complexity; hydraulic system, doors, and micro-switches require regular inspection
- Original 1967–1971 Arrows featured controversial automatic gear extension; most have been modified or disabled—verify modification history
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.
For sale (0)
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