Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II

Piper introduced the PA-28R-200 Arrow II in 1972 as a refresh of the original PA-28R-180. The major changes were the engine and the airframe stretch. The Arrow II got a Lycoming IO-360-C1C at 200 hp, replacing the 180 hp IO-360-B in the predecessor. Piper also stretched the fuselage 5 inches to add cabin volume and a longer baggage compartment behind the rear seats. Same hershey-bar wing as the original Arrow.

Production ran from 1972 to 1976 with about 2,200 Arrow IIs delivered. Piper replaced the Arrow II with the tapered-wing PA-28R-201 Arrow III in 1977. The Arrow II became a used-market-only buy after 1976. The fleet has remained reasonably popular with pilots who specifically want a 200 hp four-seat retractable Piper at lower cost than the tapered-wing Arrow III variants.

The IO-360-C1C engine in the Arrow II is a different variant from the IO-360-B used in the original Arrow. The C1C has a higher compression ratio (8.7:1 vs 8.5:1) and slightly more refined accessory mounting. Mechanically the C1C is fundamentally similar to the B but with the modifications to support 200 hp output. Lycoming continues to support both variants through its broader IO-360 family. Piper Owner Society covers the Arrow II as part of the broader PA-28R community.

The Arrow II cruises at about 138 KTAS at 75% power, burning 10.5 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 128 KTAS on 9 gph. The Arrow II is 8 to 10 knots faster than the original 180 hp PA-28R-180 at similar fuel burn due to the additional power. Performance is comparable to the tapered-wing Arrow III at low altitudes, with the Arrow III's cruise efficiency advantage showing up more at higher altitudes.

Useful load on an Arrow II is about 1,020 to 1,080 pounds. Full fuel (50 gallons usable) leaves about 720 to 780 pounds for people and bags. Four adults of typical weight plus light to moderate luggage fit comfortably within gross. The fuselage stretch makes the Arrow II's cabin more comfortable than the original Arrow's for four-up cross-country. Range with reserves is about 700 nm at long-range cruise. Service ceiling is 16,000 ft on paper.

The Lycoming IO-360-C1C is the engine on every Arrow II. It's a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, direct-drive piston rated at 200 hp at 2,700 RPM. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE. The IO-360-C family is widely used in GA aircraft including the Mooney M20F, the Cardinal RG, and other Cherokee retractable variants. Parts and shop support are excellent.

Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $33,000 to $46,000 in 2026 prices. The IO-360-C1C is moderately more expensive to overhaul than the IO-360-B in the original Arrow due to higher compression ratio and slightly more involved components. Cylinder availability is excellent.

Oil consumption on a healthy IO-360-C1C runs about 0.15 to 0.25 quarts per hour. The engine reaches TBO routinely when operated regularly. The constant-speed propeller on the Arrow II requires overhaul concurrent with the engine. Hartzell two-blade overhauls run $2,500 to $4,000.

Plan on $170 to $240 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. The Arrow II's operating cost is similar to the PA-28R-180 with slightly higher fuel burn from the 200 hp engine. Fuel and oil run about $58 to $74 per hour at 10.5 gph and $5.50 to $7 for 100LL. Engine overhaul reserve is $17 to $23 per hour based on a $33,000 to $46,000 overhaul amortized across the 2,000-hour TBO. Prop overhaul reserve adds $1.25 to $2.00 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $22 to $35 per hour.

Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add another $55 to $95 per hour at 100 hours a year of utilization. Insurance on the Arrow II is similar to the PA-28R-180, with the additional 20 hp not meaningfully changing underwriter calculations. First-time retract owners pay $3,200 to $5,800 a year typically. Established Arrow pilots with 200+ hours in type pay $2,000 to $3,800.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: An Arrow II with mid-time engine and steam-gauge panel runs $75,000 to $110,000. An Arrow II with fresh engine and modern Garmin panel runs $110,000 to $145,000. Aircraft with documented gear-system rebuilds trade at premiums over comparable airplanes with high-time gear systems. The Arrow II is the volume PA-28R variant in the used market.

Piper Owner Society covers the Arrow II with substantial type-specific knowledge. Annual dues are about $80. The Arrow II has accumulated 50+ years of fleet experience and most parts and pre-buy questions benefit from POS consultation.