The January 2013 issue of "Aviation Consumer" magazine has arrived! There is a used aircraft guide every month, with a different featured model near the back of the publication. Lately, it seems, they feature models timely with a glut of good used versions on the market, or observed further softening prices. Yes, the V-Tail Bonanza was featured late during 2010, while the Baron, and Debonair/Bonanza were both featured during July, and August 2011, respectively. Perhaps that's why there was an uptick in the used market for those models.

This months featured "Used Aircraft" is the Piper Arrow. The article on page 24, January 2013, Aviation Consumer Magazine, begins like this:

"Piper Arrow
A sensible, well-behaved, moderate performer that never goes out of style.

It seems there’s always an Arrow on the ramp as well as a good selection of them on the used market. Flight schools have long sworn by them as relatively economical complex trainers, and owners report happy relationships with their combination of useful load and range. Through longevity and numbers, it may have replaced the Bonanza as the ubiquitous retractable single."

Read that again: ..."Through longevity and numbers, it may have replaced the Bonanza as the ubiquitous retractable single."...

Is this true?

It will be if people keep crashing their Bonanzas.

Hi Bob-

My experience on a trip last week seems typical to me. When I arrived at Fort Collins, CO last Wednesday, I was sharing the pattern with a King Air and a V35B. I heard several Bonanzas talking to ATC during the trip and I cannot remember hearing a single Arrow. I suppose someone conversant with FlightAware could generate some actual statistics to support or refute my anecdotal observation.

Regards,

Bob

Depends, ones supposes, upon your definition of "ubiquitous."

The aircraft serve substantially different roles, with neither being clearly superior than the other, in its respective role .

Arrow is a workhorse for complex training, is simple, reasonably stout and has a cheap to run and replace engine.

It is not so common to see Bonanzas used in a pure training role. It is also not that common to see Arrow's purchased as serious business travel machines, at least, not to the extent Bonanzas are.

Lastly, it is not as if there is a flood of Arrows rolling off the line at Vero Beach.

So, "ubiquitous"? Don't think so.

Hi again, Bob-

I pretty much agree with Spike; there may be a lot of Arrows out there serving their training mission, but in my mind that does not equate to replacing the Bonanza as the ubiquitous single-engine retractable. A quick check of FlightAware a few minutes ago yielded the following numbers of planes being tracked in the US:

BE33 - 4
BE35 - 10
BE36 - 20

P28R - 3
P28T - 1

Regards,

Bob

The key to never going out of style is to not have any in the first place.

I used to fly a rented Arrow and now fly a Deb.

There is no comparison. The Arrow is a trainer. Then you graduate to something made for travelling.

Hey! I resemble that!

Wow. I can't understand the Arrow being used for anything but training

I like the owner's comments. One says he flies 135 KTAS and burns 10 GPH, which is "far more efficient and cheaper than a Mooney or Bonanza". Umm, a Bonanza gets the 13.5 NMPG and goes a heck of a lot faster (30-40 knots faster), a Mooney can get a 7.8 GPH FF at that speed, or burn 10 GPH and get 150-155 knots. Good thing that Arrow is more comfortable, because you have to sit in it longer to go the same distance. They are easier to fly, and insure, however.

The key to never going out of style is to not have any in the first place.

Had an Arrow as my first plane... it was nice. put 500 hours on it in 23 months of ownership.
When I had further to go, I realized I was limited by what was available to do to an Arrow... I couldn't get more fuel, no tip tanks, nothing...
Surprise I'm in a Bonanza now.
Even thought the fuel flows look higher (and they are) the efficiency is in favor of the Bonanza. Many of the same trips I did then and now turn out being there quicker on the same fuel as I did in the Arrow.... and more comfort to boot.

Greatest hazard flying the Arrow is dying of "old Age" while enroute.

34-4 would considered an old fashioned butt whooping in any comparison test.

You guys are discounting the Turbo Arrow , which is a totally different animal than the Arrow.....The Turbo Arrow is a nice aircraft , I would put it up there with a Bo , The regular Arrow , is a real piece of POOP !!!