Cubcrafters Carbon Cub vs Piper Arrow
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cubcrafters Carbon Cub
- For sale now
- 25
- Median asking
- $279,000
- Range
- $187,720–$395,100
- Model years available
- 2007–2025
Piper Arrow
- For sale now
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cubcrafters Carbon Cub | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cubcrafters Carbon Cub | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $187,720 – $395,100 | $79,053 – $243,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 180 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 96 kts (178 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 390 nm (722 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,320 lbs (599 kg) | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) |
| Useful Load | 865 lbs (392 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 72.0 gal (273 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 7.0 GPH (26 L/h) | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $145 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCubcrafters Carbon Cub
Fuel$38/hr
Piper Arrow
Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$47,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cubcrafters Carbon Cub or Piper Arrow?
Pick the Carbon Cub if…
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $79,053 vs $187,720, you save ~$108,667.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 135 kts vs 96 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 390 nm.
- More inventory — 219 listings vs 3.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cubcrafters Carbon Cub or Piper Arrow?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Carbon Cub cruises at 96 kts with 390 nm range.
The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cubcrafters Carbon Cub: from $329,000.
Piper Arrow: from $119,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cubcrafters Carbon Cub and Piper Arrow?
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 96 vs 135 kts.
Range: 390 vs 720 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Arrow: about $145/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Carbon Cub: 2 seats / 865 lb useful load.
Arrow: 4 seats / 940 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Arrow: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data