Piper PA-28 Warrior

Piper Aircraft · United States · first flew 1973 · light aircraft

The PA-28 Warrior is the standard-trainer and touring derivative of the Cherokee family, introduced in 1973 with a new tapered longer wing in place of the original rectangular planform, and remains one of the most common training aircraft in British flying schools.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.25 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Semi-tapered wing with extended span of 10.67 m replacing the original Cherokee's rectangular Hershey-bar wing — the most visible change from the PA-28-140/160
Fixed tricycle undercarriage with no wheel fairing cutouts or gear doors — compared to PA-28R Arrow which has retractable gear with visible wheel wells
Single Lycoming O-320 or O-360 piston engine, four-seat low-wing layout with constant-chord leading edge and tapered trailing edge

Distinguished from the original Cherokee by the tapered wing; from the PA-28R Arrow by fixed undercarriage with no wheel-well cutouts on the wing undersurface; from the Archer by engine rating (161 hp vs 181 hp) — visually near-identical to the Archer at distance.

Specifications

The Piper PA-28 Warrior has a length of 7.25 m (24 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.67 m (35 ft).
Its maximum speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + 3 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Piper introduced the tapered wing on the PA-28-151 Warrior in 1973, addressing criticisms of the Cherokee's rectangular wing aerodynamics; the Warrior II followed in 1977 with an O-360 engine, and the Warrior III in 1994 brought a T-bar control yoke. The type has been continuously in production and tens of thousands are in service worldwide.

Variants

The Warrior II (PA-28-161) is the most common training variant; the Warrior III adds a modern panel and updated interior. The PA-28-181 Archer shares the same tapered wing but a heavier 181-hp engine for a higher cruise performance.

Where you'll see it

British flying clubs and PPL training schools operate the Warrior more than any other single type; it forms the training fleet at schools from Bournemouth to Inverness, and is the aircraft on which the majority of UK PPL holders learn to fly.

Related aircraft

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