Piper Aircraft

Before it became Piper Aircraft, Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company was founded in 1927. Following the passing of one of the Taylor brothers, operations transitioned under the guidance of engineer William T. Piper in 1937.

Piper Aircraft earned the title of the “Henry Ford of Aviation” during the Great Depression, thanks to Piper’s vision of an affordable, user-friendly private aircraft. The company introduced its first twin-engine model in 1954. It then established its headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida, in 1957, where it remains today.

As one of the “big three” in aviation alongside Cessna and Beechcraft, all under the Textron Aviation brand, Piper Aircraft has become a preferred choice for novice and aspiring pilots. Its aircraft are known for their ease of use, compact design, and capability to land on shorter runways.

The Piper Arrow series has its roots in several earlier models, including the Cherokee Cruiser, Cherokee (with five variations), Cherokee Warrior (three variations), Archer (three variations), Turbo Dakota, Dakota, and Cherokee Pathfinder (two variations). The Arrow is a proud member of the Cherokee family of aircraft.

  • Country of Origin: United States of America

Piper Arrow PA28 180 Statistics

  • Maximum Speed: 148 kts
  • Maximum Range: 865 nm
  • Maximum Occupants: 4
  • Range Of Years Manufactured: 1967-1971
  • Total Aircraft Build: 1,156
  • Currently Registered: 646
  • Useful Load: 1,380 lbs.
  • Average Sale Value: $87,120
  • Average Days On Market For Sale: 1,336 Days
  • VREF Demand Rating: Normal

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

Maintenance Document

Local Resources

Manufacturer

Insurance

Piper Arrow 180 Details

Interior

The Piper Arrow 180 offers reclining sports car-type seating for up to 4 people. Comfortable seating and a generous luggage compartment can hold up to 200 lbs. The cockpit features a customizable panel accommodating a wide range of avionics and Piper-exclusive SportsPower Console engine controls. Additional features include swingaway sun visors and control locks.

Exterior

The 1970 Cherokee Arrow, designated N20648, is a striking, low-wing construction aircraft with a sleek design. Reaching cruise speeds of up to 166 mph, the Arrow features an innovative landing gear system that automatically extends. This enhances both safety and convenience.

Avionics

The following avionics may or may not be present on the aircraft:

  • Instrument Flight Rules
  • Bendix/King KMA-24 with Marker Beacon 
  • NAV/COM Dual Bendix/King KX-165 
  • NAV Bendix/King KI-202 with Localizer 
  • DME Bendix/King KN-62A Digital DME 
  • ADF Bendix/King KR-87 
  • Autopilot Piper Century I with Omni Tracker & Wing Leveler 
  • Engine Monitor JPI 800
  • ADS-B uAvionix LED Nav Light + ADS-B Out To Transponder 
  • Sigtronics SPA-400 4-Place Intercom

Specifications

  • Configuration: Single Engine, Piston, Retractable Gear
  • Max Seats: 4
  • Max Takeoff Weight: 2,500 lbs.
  • Cruise: 140 kts
  • Range: 740 nm
  • Takeoff Run: 820 ft.
  • Landing Roll: 776 ft.
  • Wing Span: 32 ft.
  • Length: 24 ft. 2 in.
  • Height: 8 ft.
  • Takeoff (50 ft.): 1,240 ft.

Piper Arrow 180 Models

PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser

The PA-28-140 is a 1964-certified 2-seater with fixed landing gear landplane and a Lycoming O-320-E2A or O-320-E3D engine. This model debuted with a gross weight of 1,950 lbs. In 1965, the Cruiser was approved for an increase in seating from 2 to 4 seats and a gross weight change to 2,150 lbs.

PA-28-150 Cherokee

This four-seater fixed landing gear landplane received its certification in 1961. This aircraft is equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2B or O-320-E2A engine. This model kept the same gross weight as its predecessor at 2,150 lbs. 

PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior

The introduction of the Warrior featured four seats and fixed landing gear. This variant is equipped with a Lycoming O-320-E3D engine. Its gross weight increased from 2,150 lbs. to 2,325 lbs. The Warrior was first certified in 1973. One noticeable change from the PA-28-150 includes a tapered wing.

PA-28-160 Cherokee

The 160 Cherokee has four seats, fixed landing gear, and a Lycoming O-320-B2B or O-320-D2A engine. With this model, its gross weight decreased from 2,325 to 2,200 lbs. This model was first certified in 1960.

PA-28-161 Warrior II

After several years of producing the 160 Cherokee, Piper introduced a new version, receiving its certification in 1982. This four-seater, fixed landing gear landplane has a Lycoming O-320-D3G or O-320-D2A engine. Furthermore, its gross weight bumped back up to 2,325 lbs. This aircraft has a gross weight of 2,440 lbs.

PA-28-161 Warrior III

The last of the Warrior variations received its certification in 1994. The Warrior III is a four-seater, fixed landing gear landplane with a Lycoming O-320-D3G engine. Its gross weight remains the same as the Warrior II at 2,440 lbs.

PA-28-180 Cherokee

The Cherokee returns with an engine change with the Lycoming O-360-A3A or O-360-A4A engine. It has a gross weight of 2,400 lbs. and received its certification in 1962.

PA-28-180 Archer

The first Archer model, certified in 1972, is a four-seater, fixed landing gear landplane equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A4A or O-360-A4M engine. The Archer also received an increase in gross weight from 2,400 lbs. Additional changes from the PA-28-180 Cherokee include an increase in wingspan, a 5-inch fuselage extension, and a larger horizontal tail.

PA-28-181 Archer II

The second Archer received its certification in 1975. This four-seater aircraft is equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A4M or O-360-A4A engine. It has a gross weight of 2,550 lbs. and has tapered wings, unlike the original Archer model.

PA-28-181 Archer III

The final Archer III received its certification in 1994. The four-seater, fixed landing gear landplane has a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine and a gross weight of 2,550 lbs.

PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota

The turbocharged Turbo Dakota received its certification in 1978 and is equipped with a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-FB engine of 200 horsepower. The Archer III also features a gross weight of 2,900 lbs.

PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder

First certified in 1963, the Cherokee Pathfinder has a Lycoming O-540-B2B5, O-540-B1B5, or O-540-B4B5 engine and a gross weight of 2,900 lbs.

PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder

The 1963-certified Cherokee Pathfinder has a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine, gross weight of 3,000 lbs., and features a 5-inch fuselage extension, wing span increase, and larger horizontal tail.

PA-28-236 Dakota

The PA-28-236 Dakota received its certification in 1978. This 4-seater, fixed landing gear landplane has a Lycoming O-540-J3A5D engine and a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. One major difference from the previous Cherokee Pathfinder is its tapered wing design.

PA-28S-160 Cherokee

The PA-28S-160 Cherokee model received its certification in 1963. This fixed landing gear aircraft has a Lycoming O-320-D2A engine and a gross weight of 2,140 lbs.

PA-28R-180 Arrow

The first of the Arrow family, the PA-28R-180 the Arrow received its certification in 1967. When Piper introduced the Arrow, the Florida-based company removed the Cherokee 150 and 160 from their production line. This Arrow has retractable landing gear and is equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-B1E engine. It also has a gross weight of 2,500 lbs.

PA-28R-200 Arrow

The first of the Arrow family, the PA-28R-200 has a Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine, a gross weight of 2,600 lbs., and was first certified in 1969.

PA-28R-200 Arrow II

The 1971-certified Arrow II has a Lycoming IO-360-C1C or C1C6 engine and a gross weight of 2,650 lbs. This model differs from the 1969-certified PA-28R-200 with a five-inch fuselage extension, larger horizontal tail, wing span increase, and other smaller changes. 

PA-28R-201 Arrow III

The Arrow III has one engine option in the Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 with 200 horsepower. The Arrow III also has a semi-tapered wing. It has a gross weight of 2,750 lbs. and was first certified in 1976.

PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III

The Turbo Arrow III is a four-seater, retractable landing gear landplane and has a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-F or TSIO-360-FB engine. Its gross weight is 2,900 lbs. Arrow III received its certification in November 1976.

PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV

The Arrow IV was first certified in 1978. It has a Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 engine, a gross weight of 2,750 lbs., and a T-tail design.

PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV

The 1978-certified Turbo Arrow IV has a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-FB engine, a gross weight of 2,900 lbs., and a T-tail design.

PA-28-161 Cadet

The first Cadet replaced the PA-38 Tomahawk trainer in the late 1980s. It has a Lycoming O-320-D2A or O-320-D3G engine and a gross weight of 2,325 lbs.

Archer DX

The Archer DX was first introduced at AERO Friedrichshafen in April 2014. It has a Continental CD-155 diesel engine and is designed to make the compression-ignition engine simpler to operate. This upgrade protects it from running into starting difficulties. Other features include carburetor icing or propeller and mixture controls, and the liquid cooling doesn’t suffer shock cooling in a fast descent. Full power for this turbocharged Archer can reach up to over 10,000 ft. and climbs 700 to 500 ft./min at 86 kts. The engine on this variation must be replaced every 2,100 hours.

Pilot 100 & Pilot i100

Introduced in 2019, the 100 and i100 were designed to be low-cost VFR and IFR trainers for the flight training market. Both designs offer fixed landing gear and Continental Prime IO-370-D3A engine. It also has Garmin G3X Touch Certified avionics. The IFR version includes a GFC500 autopilot and features the 2-side-window fuselage with the later tapered wing. It does not include a baggage door, air conditioning, or right-hand panel instruments. This model features all-white paint with decals, 2-place seating standard on 100, a rear third seat with push-to-talk, and standard Bluetooth functions. These newer versions received their type certification in the U.S. in December 2020 and in Europe in 2021.

Top Piper Arrow 180 Questions

Check out the following most commonly asked questions about Piper Arrow PA28 180 aircraft.

Is Piper Arrow Hard To Fly?

The Piper Arrow is user-friendly and accessible for pilots with varying experience levels. While it offers advanced features (such as retractable landing gear and a constant-speed propeller), pilots can master these systems with proper training and practice. Many pilots find the Arrow’s handling characteristics smooth and predictable, making it a popular choice for those transitioning to high-performance aircraft.

How Much Is A Piper PA28 Arrow?

The price of a Piper PA28 Arrow can vary significantly based on factors such as age, condition, and equipment. Typically, you can expect to find models ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. Conduct thorough research and consult with aviation professionals for a model that fits your budget and needs.

Is A Piper Arrow A High-Performance Aircraft?

Yes, the Piper Arrow is classified as a high-performance aircraft due to its retractable landing gear and constant-speed propeller. These features enhance its speed and efficiency, making it suitable for pilots looking to expand their skills and experience in more challenging flying environments.

How Many Seats Does A Piper PA28 180 Have?

The Piper PA28 180 typically accommodates 4 seats, including the pilot’s seat. This configuration provides ample space for passengers and luggage, making it an excellent choice for both personal travel and flight training.

Related VREF Resources

Accurate, Reliable, & Trusted Aircraft Appraisals

Before buying, selling, financing, or insuring your aircraft, know its true value.

Get an accurate Aircraft Appraisals