Piper Arrow vs Piper Malibu
The Piper Arrow PA-28R (four-seat retractable, 200 hp, ~135-140 kt, unpressurised) and Piper Malibu PA-46 (six-seat pressurised turbocharged, ~213-240 kt M-series) are very different-class aircraft — both Piper retractables but otherwise unrelated.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Piper Arrow | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $44,950 – $429,460 | $220,666 – $4,582,731 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 200 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 198 kts (367 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 940 lbs (426 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 72.0 gal (273 L) | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $145 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Arrow
Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$47,000/yr
Piper Malibu
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$60,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Arrow or Piper Malibu?
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu/M-series when you need pressurisation, six seats and serious cross-country range. Choose the Arrow only as the basic four-seat complex-rating trainer at a fraction of Malibu acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $44,950 vs $220,666, you save ~$175,716.
- Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $190/hr.
Pick the Malibu if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 720 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1967.
- More inventory — 293 listings vs 188.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Piper Arrow or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 nm range.
The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Arrow: from $154,500.
Piper Malibu: from $630,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Arrow and Piper Malibu?
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 135 vs 198 kts.
Range: 720 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Arrow: about $145/hr variable cost.
Malibu: about $190/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.
Malibu: 6 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.
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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