Piper Arrow vs Pitts S-2A
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Arrow
- For sale now
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 71
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
Pitts S-2A
- For sale now
- 5
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 5
- Model years available
- 1973–1980
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) | Piper Arrow | Pitts S-2A |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 12 |
| Serious | — | 2 |
| Fatal | — | 3 |
| Fatalities | — | 4 |
| % Fatal | — | 25% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Arrow | Pitts S-2A |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $79,053 – $243,250 | $89,525 – $102,920 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 200 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 137 kts (254 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 298 nm (552 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) | 17,000 ft (5,182 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | 940 lbs (426 kg) | 500 lbs (227 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 72.0 gal (273 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 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
EstimatePiper Arrow
Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$47,000/yr
Pitts S-2A
Fuel$55/hr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Arrow or Pitts S-2A?
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $79,053 vs $89,525, you save ~$10,472.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 298 nm.
- More inventory — 209 listings vs 8.
Pick the S-2A if…
- Faster cruise — 137 kts vs 135 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1972 vs 1967.
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 Pitts S-2A?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 nm range.
The S-2A cruises at 137 kts with 298 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Arrow: from $119,000.
Pitts S-2A: from $89,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Arrow and Pitts S-2A?
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 135 vs 137 kts.
Range: 720 vs 298 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.
S-2A: 2 seats / 500 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