Piper PA-28 Archer
Piper Aircraft · United States · first flew 1975 · light aircraft
The PA-28 Archer is the 181-hp fixed-gear member of the PA-28 family, sitting above the Warrior in the Piper line-up with more power but the same tapered wing and fixed undercarriage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.25 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fixed tricycle undercarriage identical to Warrior — no wheel wells or gear doors distinguishing it from the retractable Arrow
- Lycoming O-360-A4M engine rated at 181 hp versus Warrior's 160 hp; visually nearly identical but the Archer has a slightly fatter cowling on some marks
- Same semi-tapered low wing as Warrior with 10.67 m span; distinguishable from Warrior only by data plate or engine type at close inspection
Visually almost indistinguishable from the Warrior at any distance; both have the same tapered wing, fixed gear, and conventional tail. Distinguish by engine rating (181 hp vs 160 hp) readable from data plate, or slight cowling profile differences on some marks.
Specifications
- The Piper PA-28 Archer has a length of 7.25 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.67 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 242 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 3 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced as the PA-28-180 Cherokee Archer in 1975 and redesignated simply Archer, the type has evolved through Archer II and Archer III variants with updated avionics and interiors. The Archer TX (2018) introduced the Cirrus SR-like modern glass panel in a new production run.
Variants
The Archer II was the volume-production mark through the 1980s–90s; the Archer III added large-format instrument options; the Archer TX (2018) is a new-production aircraft with Garmin G3X avionics and updated interior.
Where you'll see it
Many UK flying schools use the Archer as a step-up from the Warrior, particularly for cross-country training where its extra power is useful; it is also a common touring aircraft among UK private owners.
Related aircraft
- Piper PA-28 Warrior
- Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R
- Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E Turbo
- Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III
- Beechcraft Skipper
- Cessna 404 Titan
- Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah
- Nippi NP-100 Albatross
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