Piper Cherokee Arrow

Piston single engine • Low Wing • Retractable gear

Range Map

Origin:

• nm at current load

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Payload vs. Range

Configure weights

Default: 190 lbs

Default: 30 lbs

Occupants
lb + lbs / pax

gal

Fuel on board

lbs

Extra weight

nm

Range

Available Range / nm
Mission capable. Aircraft can handle the current load with full fuel tanks.
Fuel tradeoff required. You'll need to leave gallons of fuel behind ( gal usable for nm range).
Over max gross weight. Reduce payload by lbs to safely operate this aircraft.
Extra weight is the additional payload available with your selected passengers.

Mission Profile

Endorsements & ratings:
  • Complex
137
KTAS
Cruise Speed
550
nm
Max Range
16,200
ft
Service Ceiling
4
Occupants
488
lbs
Wet Payload
Used market Only available used

Estimated Ownership Costs

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About the Piper Cherokee Arrow

Type certificated 1976 Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet

Overview

The Piper Cherokee Arrow III (PA-28R-201) is a four-seat, retractable-gear single that became one of general aviation’s most common complex trainers. Introduced for the 1977 model year, it paired the earlier Arrow’s fuselage with a new semi-tapered wing of greater span, trading a little of the older constant-chord wing’s character for improved slow-flight manners and cruise efficiency. Power comes from a fuel-injected 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 turning a constant-speed propeller; the retractable gear and controllable-pitch prop together make the Arrow a textbook platform for the FAA complex endorsement and for commercial training.

As an owner’s aircraft the Arrow III is a comfortable, economical four-seat tourer: roughly 137 knots true on about 11 gallons per hour, with predictable Cherokee handling and one of the deepest parts-and-maintenance networks in light aviation. Its retractable gear costs more to maintain than a fixed-gear Archer and the useful load tightens with full fuel, but for a buyer who wants retractable speed and complex-endorsement currency at piston-single running costs, little else is as well supported. Choose the Cherokee Arrow III when you want an affordable, widely-serviced retractable single for complex training or efficient four-seat travel, and you do not need the altitude performance of the turbocharged versions.

Key Features for GA Buyers

  • Complex-endorsement platform. Retractable gear and a constant-speed propeller make the Arrow one of the standard aircraft for the FAA complex endorsement and commercial training, with a large fleet at flight schools.
  • Fuel-injected 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-C1C6. A widely-supported, naturally-aspirated injected four-cylinder with a 2,000-hour recommended TBO; hot-start technique is the main quirk.
  • Semi-tapered wing. The Arrow III’s longer-span tapered wing improves slow-flight behavior and cruise efficiency over the earlier constant-chord Arrow.
  • Deep support network. Thousands were built; parts, type-familiar mechanics, and type-specific training are all easy to find.

Trade-offs

  • Retractable-gear upkeep. The hydraulic gear system raises maintenance and insurance over a fixed-gear Cherokee, and gear rigging and emergency-extension checks are part of every annual.
  • Useful load with full fuel. With 77 gallons aboard, cabin payload is limited; many missions trade fuel for people.
  • Modest climb and altitude. At 200 normally-aspirated horsepower the Arrow III climbs and cruises modestly next to turbocharged or higher-output retractables.
  • Aging airframes. Most are 1977-1980s aircraft; corrosion inspection, avionics, and interior refurbishment belong in the ownership budget.

See Also

  • Piper Archer II – the fixed-gear sibling on the same airframe: simpler and cheaper to own, no complex endorsement, slower. Compare
  • Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG – the Cessna complex trainer and the Arrow’s direct cross-shop for the complex and commercial endorsements. Compare
  • Cessna 177 Cardinal RG – another 200-horsepower retractable single of the same era, high-wing with a roomier cabin. Compare
  • Piper Turbo Arrow IV – the turbocharged, T-tail development of the same airframe: more altitude capability, more systems to maintain. Compare

Base model

Piper Cherokee

Technical Specifications

Dimensions & Weights

Wingspan 35.5 ft
Height
8.0 ft
Length
24.5 ft
Parking area (ft2)
1342.25 ft2
Max Takeoff Weight
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 2,750 lbs
Max Landing Weight
2,650 lbs
Useful Load
950 lbs
Fuel Capacity
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 77 gal

Performance

Cruise Speed
Source: third-party reference 137 KTAS
Never-Exceed (VNE)
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 183 KIAS
Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 146 KIAS
Approach Speed
65 KIAS
Stall, Clean (VS1)
60 KIAS
Range
550 NM
Service Ceiling
16,200 ft
Rate of Climb
800 fpm
Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
1,600 ft
Landing ground roll
1,400 ft

Engine

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Sources

Where the figures on this page come from. Piper Cherokee Arrow specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.

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