Piper Arrow vs Piper Comanche

The Piper PA-24 Comanche predates the Arrow by nearly a decade, and within the retractable-gear Piper lineage it occupies a peculiar prestige position: aerodynamically refined, fuel-efficient, and capable of cruise speeds that embarrass aircraft with bigger engines. The Comanche 260C can genuinely approach 165–170 kt at economy cruise on 10–12 gph — numbers that made it the go-to cross-country tool for Piper owners in the 1960s. The Arrow arrived in 1967 as the accessible retractable — the same basic PA-28 fuselage with gear that retracts and an engine developing 200 hp. The cross-shop happens when a pilot seeks a vintage retractable with genuine efficiency and runs into the question of which lineage to buy into.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Piper Arrow
For sale now
196
Median asking
$134,945
Range
$79,053–$243,250
Model years available
1967–2015
Piper Comanche
For sale now
57
Median asking
$115,000
Range
$71,900–$174,495
Model years available
1958–1992

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Arrow Piper Comanche
Piper Arrow
View 217 listings →
Median $134,945
 Piper Comanche
View 65 listings →
Median $115,000
Price Range $79,053 – $243,250 $71,900 – $174,495
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 200 HP 250 HP
Cruise Speed 135 kts (250 km/h) 157 kts (291 km/h)
Range 720 nm (1,333 km) 956 nm (1,771 km)
Service Ceiling 15,400 ft (4,694 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg)
Useful Load 940 lbs (426 kg) 1,200 lbs (544 kg)
Fuel Capacity 72.0 gal (273 L) —
Fuel Burn 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) 14.0 GPH (53 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

Estimate

Piper Arrow

Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $47,000/yr

Piper Comanche

Fuel$77/hr

Which Should You Buy: Piper Arrow or Piper Comanche?

Bottom line: Choose the Arrow for easier parts availability, a more active service network, and the training-market connection that keeps knowledge and mechanics current. The PA-28 platform is one of the most supported in general aviation; an Arrow owner rarely struggles to find a mechanic who knows the type. Later Arrow IV models offer a modern avionics upgrade path. Choose the Comanche if you're an aeronautically-minded buyer who wants the efficiency advantage and the airframe's unusual handling precision — Comanche owners describe a sports-car quality to the controls versus the Arrow's workmanlike feel. The 260-hp variants are particularly fast. Safety axis: both aircraft share the general retractable-gear risk of gear-up landings. The Arrow partially mitigated this with an automatic gear extension system on early models (speed-sensing automatic extension) — both a safety feature and an occasional surprise. The Comanche uses a manually-operated backup extension system. Know your specific aircraft cold before departure.

Pick the Arrow if…

  • More inventory — 217 listings vs 65.

Pick the Comanche if…

  • Budget matters — from $71,900 vs $79,053, you save ~$7,153.
  • Faster cruise — 157 kts vs 135 kts.
  • Longer range — 956 nm vs 720 nm.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What years did Piper build the Comanche?
Piper manufactured the PA-24 Comanche from 1958 to 1972, with total production of approximately 4,857 aircraft including the Comanche 180, 250, 260, and twin-engine Twin Comanche (PA-30). Production ended when Hurricane Agnes flooded the Lock Haven, Pennsylvania factory in 1972, and Piper never restarted the Comanche line — making all flying Comanches vintage aircraft today.
Does the Arrow have automatic gear extension?
Early Piper Arrows (PA-28R through the mid-1970s) featured an automatic gear extension system that deployed the gear if airspeed dropped below approximately 105 mph in the landing configuration — a safety net against gear-up landings. This system was praised and criticized equally: it prevented some accidents but also triggered unexpectedly during low-power speed reductions. Later Arrows (Arrow III and IV) retained the system in modified form. Buyers should verify the specific system on any Arrow being considered and receive training on its limitations.
How does the Comanche 260 compare to the Arrow in cruise speed?
The Comanche 260 is typically 15–20 kt faster than the Arrow 200 in comparable conditions, despite having a larger engine. Aerodynamic refinement accounts for most of the gap — the Comanche's laminar-flow wing and cleaner fuselage outperform the Arrow's thicker PA-28 structure at cruise. Comanche 260 pilots routinely log 155–165 kt at 10–12 gph; an Arrow at similar power typically delivers 130–140 kt at 10–11 gph.
Which is better, Piper Arrow or Piper Comanche?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 nm range. The Comanche cruises at 157 kts with 956 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Arrow: from $119,000. Piper Comanche: from $124,500. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Arrow and Piper Comanche?
Cruise: 135 vs 157 kts. Range: 720 vs 956 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?
Arrow: 4 seats / 940 lb useful load. Comanche: 4 seats / 1,200 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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data