After many fits and starts (about 30 planes) I finally focussed my efforts on 8184C, a 1976 Arrow 2. I test flew 84C on February 12, 2011. She is a great plane. She was as described by her current owners and no real surprises came up during my inspection or the pre-buy / annual inspection. This plane has turned out to be the one for me and my family.

84C is one of the last planes built with the "hershey bar" wings. In mid 1976, Piper came out with the "taper" wing. Great design, but not as predictable as the hershey bar design. I have flown several Arrows, Warriors as well as Dakotas with the taper and they tend to float in ground effect as you try to land. Ad a gusty day with a crosswind... Bring the power back with the hershey bar wing, and you land, every time, even flying it at it's max crosswind of 20knots.

I may be a bit biassed because I have also flown "tail wheel" airplanes. I like a plane whose actions are predictable depending on the pilot input. No need to crab to land this arrow!

More later...