New Piper Arrow

[spiderweb]

After having had to cancel the last flight, I am taking another look at the new Piper Arrow in Frederick Aviation's fleet. Why I haven't gotten checked out in this before, I do not know. Important features include: air conditioning, 2-Axis Auto Pilot, Electric Trim, Dual Color Moving Map Garmin 430 GPS's, CD Player, WX-500 Electrostatic discharge weather, an HSI, and Mode-S traffic.

Any thoughts on this? I am hoping to be able to get checked out in one three-hour (ground and air) session. I do have 30 hours in a Saratoga, so I would assume the Arrow is not going to throw me many curve balls. The one thing I would like to read up on in advance, though, is the Garmin 430s. There was one in the Saratoga, but I never got much past Direct To functions.

What are typical cruise speeds at 65% and 8,000 feet? Do the rear seats fold forward, or are they removable?

Thanks!

 

[bbchien]

After having had to cancel the last flight, I am taking another look at the new Piper Arrow in Frederick Aviation's fleet. Why I haven't gotten checked out in this before, I do not know. Important features include: air conditioning, 2-Axis Auto Pilot, Electric Trim, Dual Color Moving Map Garmin 430 GPS's, CD Player, WX-500 Electrostatic discharge weather, an HSI, and Mode-S traffic.

Any thoughts on this? I am hoping to be able to get checked out in one three-hour (ground and air) session. I do have 30 hours in a Saratoga, so I would assume the Arrow is not going to throw me many curve balls. The one thing I would like to read up on in advance, though, is the Garmin 430s. There was one in the Saratoga, but I never got much past Direct To functions.

What are typical cruise speeds at 65% and 8,000 feet? Do the rear seats fold forward, or are they removable?

Thanks!

132 kts at 8000 feet (200 hp). The only wrinkle is auto-extend, which I think should be left in the defeat mode so that additional drag does not surprise you at very bad times. They won't check you on much more than direct-to. Just need to make sure when you're displaying VOR vs. GPS bearings and VOR vs DME distances.

 

[Ken Ibold]

I don't believe the rear seats fold, nor are they removable. If you are planning more than two aboard, check the W&B. The A/C is very heavy.

Easy, easy airplane to fly well. For the Garmins, I presume you have the simulator you can download from the Garmin web site. That gives you a decent head start.

 

[AdamZ]

Ben have you checked out the Garmin 430/530 training program you can download from the garmin site? It is pretty good at teaching the functions in both units. Can't tell you anything really about the Arrow though. A/C sure is nice especially on the ground. What does it rent for per hour? Sounds like a nice plane.

 

[AdamZ]

132 kts at 8000 feet (200 hp). The only wrinkle is auto-extend, which I think should be left in the defeat mode so that additional drag does not surprise you at very bad times. They won't check you on much more than direct-to. Just need to make sure when you're displaying VOR vs. GPS bearings and VOR vs DME distances.

Bruce, I thought Piper did away with the automatic gear extender on the new arrows?

 

[jdwatson]

Our 172RG has a HSI, Garmin 530 and StormScope... I've learned to love all of it, especially the HSI and the 'scope. It saved us from convective surprises on our KRDU <--> KPOU trip last weekend.

Ben, how many different planes have you flown ? 20 ? I've been in 3.

 

[SCCutler]

Ben, as for the 430s, just get basic intro and do (as suggested above) the Garmin self-study course. Then, anytime you fly somewhere in it, play with the 430s on the way, creating flight plans, inserting waypoints, etc.

When it comes time to fly GPS approaches, be sure you practice them in simulation and/or with instructor before you try 'em, in actual.

 

[spiderweb]

Thanks for the advice, guys, for all of the advice. I will checkout the 430 simulator program. I had forgotten about that. I will also be careful of W and B. I think the rental rate it $140, but I need to recheck that. Jeff, I haven't flown all that many planes--maybe 10 or so, but a lot are derivatives (C172, C182) and not really different types.

 

[bbchien]

Bruce, I thought Piper did away with the automatic gear extender on the new arrows?

He didn't say how "new" is "new". All the stuff around here is old. Sigh.

 

[spiderweb]

He didn't say how "new" is "new". All the stuff around here is old. Sigh.

I believe it is a 2003.

Of course what I really want to do is get my multi and rent Senecas! I will find some way to get to Peoria!

 

[Ghery]

I believe it is a 2003.

Of course what I really want to do is get my multi and rent Senecas! I will find some way to get to Peoria!

That's new compared to the one I fly (1969).

You'll have no trouble at all coming up to speed on the Arrow. Go forth and have fun.

 

[spiderweb]

Thanks!

I don't guess they are as roomy as C182s, but they seem to be just about as fast. The main draw of this one is the HSI, air conditioning, traffic, and stormscope. Now, I just gotta figure out how to use all them things without getting distracted!