Piper · 1977–1989
Piper Turbo Arrow III / Turbo Arrow IV (1977-1989)
iSpecifications
Cruise
165KTAS
Range
880nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
1145lbs
Full-fuel payload
683lbs
Fuel Burn
12gph
Fuel Cap.
77gal
MPG
15.8mpg
Stall (Vs0)
55KIAS
T/O roll
1110ft
Ldg roll
645ft
Power
200hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$130k
Range
$95k – $175k
Annual all-in
~$17k/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 (12 gph)
- $7,800
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $2,222
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $6,978
- Total per year
- $17,000
- Per flight hour
- $170
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 18,988 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
- 165 KTAS cruise at FL180 rivals Bonanza A36TC at lower acquisition cost
- 20,000 ft service ceiling enables high-altitude cross-country flights
- 4-seat configuration with 1,145 lbs useful load for modest loads
- Tapered-wing design provides stable handling characteristics
Weaknesses
- Continental TSIO-360 runs hot; cylinder life highly dependent on pilot technique and cool-down discipline
- T-tail Arrow IV (1979-1989) has reduced pitch authority and stall recovery concerns vs. conventional tail
- Turbo exhaust system prone to cracking; requires frequent inspection of welds and slip joints
- Parts incompatibility with naturally-aspirated Arrow IIIs increases maintenance complexity and cost
Overview
The 1977-1989 Piper Turbo Arrow is the turbocharged variant of the Arrow III / Arrow IV -- the same tapered-wing airframe with a Continental TSIO-360 (replacing the NA Arrow's Lycoming IO-360) producing 200 HP through 20,000 ft. The Turbo Arrow targeted Cessna T210, Bonanza A36TC, and Mooney M20K buyers seeking high-altitude cross-country capability at sub-$200K acquisition cost.
Three variants spanned the run:
- PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III (1977-1978): Standard tail, TSIO-360-FB
- PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV (1979-1982): T-tail variant, TSIO-360-FB
- PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV (late) (1983-1989): T-tail, refined TSIO-360-KB
Approximately 1,500 Turbo Arrows were produced. Production ceased in 1989 as Piper consolidated production around the naturally-aspirated Arrow III.
The Continental Engine Choice
The Turbo Arrow's Continental TSIO-360 is mechanically unrelated to the Arrow III's Lycoming IO-360. Reasons for the engine switch:
- Continental's TSIO-360 was the only available 200 HP turbocharged 4-cylinder
- Lycoming did not produce a turbocharged 360 cubic inch variant
- Continental's TBO 1,800 hrs vs Lycoming's 2,000 hrs is a slight disadvantage
- Continental cylinder reliability is more dependent on operational technique
The engine switch creates parts complexity for owners -- Turbo Arrows do not share cylinders, accessories, or many systems with naturally-aspirated Arrow IIIs.
T-Tail (Arrow IV)
The Arrow IV's T-tail introduced in 1979 was a controversial design change:
- Aerodynamically refined (claimed +5 KTAS cruise)
- Distinctive appearance
- BUT: Reduced pitch authority at low speeds
- Susceptible to "T-tail lockout" in deep stall recovery
- Some pilots prefer Arrow III's conventional tail for handling
The T-tail era was short-lived -- Piper returned to conventional tails in late production. Arrow III (1977-1978) and post-1990 Arrows all have conventional tails; only 1979-1989 Arrow IV/Turbo Arrow IV have T-tails.
Performance
- Cruise (FL180): 165 KTAS at 75% power
- Climb: 940 FPM at sea level
- Fuel burn: 12.0 GPH cruise
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft
- Range: 880 NM with reserves at 77 gal fuel
- Useful load: 1,145 lbs
The Turbo Arrow's 165 KTAS at FL180 approaches Bonanza A36TC speed (170-175 KTAS) at significantly lower acquisition cost.
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Valuation Factors
| Variant | Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo Arrow III (1977-1978) | Well-maintained | $90,000-$135,000 |
| Turbo Arrow IV T-tail (1979-1985) | Well-maintained | $100,000-$155,000 |
| Turbo Arrow IV late (1986-1989) | Well-maintained | $120,000-$175,000 |
Turbo Arrows trade at $20,000-$40,000 premium over NA Arrow IIIs of comparable year.
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ADs & Common Problems
Universal Arrow concerns plus turbo-specific:
- TSIO-360 cylinder condition: Continental turbocharged engines run hot; high CHT history shortens cylinder life dramatically.
- Turbocharger condition: Inspect for shaft play, oil seepage. Turbo replacement: $5,000-$8,000.
- Exhaust system condition: Turbo exhausts crack more frequently; inspect welds and slip joints carefully.
- Wastegate operation: Verify smooth wastegate operation through full power range.
- Cool-down practice: 3-5 min cool-down essential. Inconsistent cool-down history = shorter turbo life.
- T-tail aerodynamics review (Arrow IV): Verify proper rigging; T-tail rigging issues can be subtle.
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