Piper Aircraft

Established in 1927 on the brink of the Great Depression by Clarence and Gordon Taylor, Piper initially operated under “Taylor Aircraft Manufacturing Company”. The founders aimed to create dependable and innovative aircraft. Tragically, just a year after the company’s inception, Gordon died in an aircraft accident.

After Gordon’s death, prominent businessman William Piper persuaded Clarence to keep the company thriving in Pennsylvania. They found early success with the Piper Cub, a model designed by the Taylor Brothers. However, when the stock market crashed in 1929, Piper acquired the company from Clarence and continued to market the Piper Cub, with around 5,500 still in the skies today.

As World War II approached, the company rebranded as Piper Aircraft Corporation and played a crucial role in manufacturing military aircraft for the U.S. armed forces, primarily producing J-3 Cubs and L-4 Grasshoppers.

The Korean War brought renewed demand, helping the company rebound from a post-World War II slump. Production shifted to Florida in 1960, and Piper began naming its models after Native American tribes – introducing names like Aztec, Comanche, and Cherokee.

After William Piper died in 1970, the company faced a rollercoaster of financial challenges but found a niche in producing trainer aircraft. With over a century of aircraft manufacturing, compiling a complete list of Piper’s offerings is a challenge as the company boasts a diverse lineup of 160 certified aircraft. Today, Piper aircraft are typically categorized into single-engine, twin-engine, and a limited selection of jets.

  • Country of Origin: America

Piper Cherokee PA-28-160 Statistics

  • Maximum Speed: 127 kts
  • Maximum Range: 703 nm
  • Maximum Occupants: 4
  • Range Of Years Manufactured: 1961-1967
  • Total Aircraft Build: 32,000
  • Current Operational Aircraft: 30,000
  • Useful Load: 980 lbs
  • Average Sale Value: $79,500
  • Average Days On Market For Sale: 138
  • VREF Demand Rating: Seller

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

Maintenance Document

Local Resources

Manufacturer

Insurance

Piper Cherokee PA-28-160 Details

Below is a description for the Piper Cherokee PA-28-160 (1960s).

Interior

The Piper Cherokee PA-28-160 is designed to accommodate up to 4 occupants with an intuitive layout for enhanced comfort and ample storage compartments for personal items or to keep flight gear secure. In the cockpit, pilots will find user-friendly controls and clear instrumentation, ensuring essential data is always within reach. Enhanced soundproofing minimizes noise for a quieter atmosphere with high-quality materials used throughout.

Exterior

The Piper Cherokee 160 stands out with its sleek, low-wing design that not only enhances performance but is built with durability in mind. Its robust fuselage is crafted from high-quality materials, and large windows provide exceptional visibility for both pilots and passengers – ideal for scenic experiences. With its retractable landing gear and distinctive T-tail configuration, the Cherokee 160 delivers improved stability and control, boosting its speed and fuel economy.

Avionics

The following may or may not be available in a Piper Cherokee PA-28-160.

  • Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot
  • Garmin GTX 335 ADS-B out Transponder with WAAS
  • Garmin G5 Attitude Gyro
  • Garmin G5 HSI
  • Garmin GNS 430W GPS/Nav/Com
  • Garmin GMA 340 Audio Panel
  • Dynon D3 backup Attitude Indicator
  • Dual Toe Brakes
  • LED Landing, Beacon, and Navigation Lights

Specifications

The following may or may not be available in a Piper Cherokee PA-28-160.

  • Height: 7 ft. 3 in.
  • Wing Span: 30 ft.
  • Length: 23 ft. 3 in.
  • Max Takeoff Weight: 2,200 lbs.
  • Empty Weight: 1,201 lbs.
  • Fuel Capacity: 50 US gal
  • Max Range: 703 nm
  • Service Ceiling: 15,800 ft.
  • Min Takeoff Distance: 740 ft.
  • Min Landing Distance: 550 ft.
  • Rate of Climb: 700 fpm
  • Max Speed: 127 kts
  • Cruise Speed: 119 kts
  • Ground Roll: 740 ft.
  • Ground Roll Over (50 ft.): 1,650 ft.

Piper Cherokee Models

The following are variations of the Piper Cherokee.

PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser

Powered by Lycoming O-320-E2A or O-320-E3D engines, this 2-place, fixed landing gear landplane of 150 horsepower. This aircraft was first certified on February 14, 1964, and has a gross weight of 2,150 lbs.

PA-28-150 Cherokee

This 4-seater, fixed landing gear landplane is powered by a Lycoming O-320-A2B or O-320-E2A engine with 150 horsepower. It also has a gross weight of 2,150 lbs and was first certified on June 2, 1961.

PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior

This 1973 Cherokee is where the Warrior name is first introduced. This fixed-gear aircraft seats 4 and is powered by a Lycoming O-320-E3D engine with 150 horsepower. It has a gross weight of 2,325 lbs and was first certified on August 9, 1973. This aircraft features a tapered wing change from the PA-28-150.

PA-28-160 Cherokee

This 4-place, fixed landing gear aircraft is equipped with either a Lycoming O-320-B2B or O-320-D2A engine of 160 horsepower. It has a gross weight of 2,200 lbs. and was first certified on October 31, 1960.

PA-28-161 Warrior II

During its initial certification on November 2, 1976, the Warrior II had a gross weight set at 2,325 lbs. and increased slightly by the time it received its second notification to a total of 2,440 lbs. This aircraft seats 4 and is powered by either a Lycoming O-320-D3G or an O-320-D2A engine of 160 horsepower. Changes from its predecessor include a tapered wing.

PA-28-161 Warrior III

This Warrior variation is powered by a Lycoming O-320-D3G engine of 160 horsepower with a gross weight of 2,440 lbs. It received its first certification on July 1, 1994.

PA-28-180 Cherokee

This 4-seater, fixed landing gear landplane is equipped with either a Lycoming O-360-A3A or O-360-A4A engine of 180 horsepower. This aircraft has a gross weight of 2,400 lbs and received its first certification on August 3, 1962.

PA-28-180 Archer

This PA version from Piper has a Lycoming O-360-A4A or O-360-A4M engine of 180 horsepower and a gross weight of 2,450 lbs. The Archer was first certified on May 22, 1972. Changes from the PA-28-180 Cherokee feature a five-inch fuselage extension, wing span increase, larger horizontal tail, gross weight increase, and other minor changes.

PA-28-181 Archer II

Powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M or O-360-A4A engine of 180 horsepower, this aircraft has a gross weight of 2,550 lbs. It received its first certification on July 8, 1975, and features a refreshed tapered wing.

PA-28-181 Archer III

The Archer III received its first certification on August 30, 1994. This 4-seater, fixed landing gear landplane is powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine of 180 horsepower with a gross weight of 2,550 lbs.

PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota

Piper introduced its first turbocharged version of the series equipped with a Continental TSIO-360-FB engine of 200 horsepower. It has a gross weight of 2,900 lbs. and received its first certification on December 14, 1978.

PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder

Powered by a Lycoming O-540-B2B5, O-540-B1B5, or O-540-B4B5 engine of 235 horsepower, the Pathfinder has a gross weight of 2,900 lbs. and received its first certification on July 15, 1963.

PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder

A fixed landing gear landplane, this variation comes with a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine of 235 horsepower and a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. It was first certified on June 9, 1972, with a five-inch fuselage extension, wing span increase, larger horizontal tail, and gross weight increase.

PA-28-236 Dakota

The Dakota has a Lycoming O-540-J3A5D engine of 235 horsepower and a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. It was first certified on June 1, 1978, with a refreshed tapered wing.

PA-28S-160 Cherokee

This Cherokee is a 4-seater, fixed landing gear seaplane equipped with a Lycoming O-320-D2A engine of 160 horsepower and a gross weight of 2,140 lbs. It was first certified on February 25, 1963.

PA-28S-180 Cherokee

This Cherokee seaplane variation is powered by a Lycoming O-360-A3A or O-360-A4A engine of 180 horsepower and has a gross weight of 2,222 lbs. It received its first certification on May 10, 1963.

PA-28R-180 Arrow

Entering the Arrow series of the line, this 4-place, retractable landing gear landplane comes with a Lycoming IO-360-B1E engine of 180 horsepower and a gross weight of 2,500 lbs. It was first certified on June 8, 1967.

PA-28R-200 Arrow

Just 2 years after the initial Arrow, this version received its certification on January 16, 1969. It’s a 4-place, retractable landing gear landplane with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine of 200 horsepower and a gross weight of 2,600 lbs.

PA-28R-200 Arrow II

The Arrow II was introduced and received certification on December 2, 1971. It’s a 4-seat, retractable landing gear landplane with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C or C1C6 engine of 200 horsepower. Its gross weight increased slightly to 2,650 lbs. A few changes from the 1969 variation include a five-inch fuselage extension, an increased wing span, and a larger horizontal tail.

PA-28R-201 Arrow III

The third Arrow is also a 4-place, retractable landing gear landplane with a different Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 engine of 200 horsepower, and it has a gross weight of 2,750 lbs. This aircraft was first certified on November 2, 1976.

PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III

The first turbo Arrow received its certification also on November 2, 1976, along with its non-turbo sibling. This 4-seat, retractable landing gear landplane comes equipped with either a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-F or TSIO-360-FB engine of 200 horsepower. Its gross weight increased slightly to 2,900 lbs.

PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV

The 4th Arrow is a 4-place, retractable landing gear landplane with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 engine of 200 horsepower and a gross weight of 2,750 lbs. It was first certified on November 13, 1978. This particular version features a T-tail.

PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV

The final 4-seater Arrow variation is the Arrow IV, available with a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-FB engine of 200 horsepower. It also has retractable landing gear, a gross weight of 2,900 lbs., and was first certified on November 13, 1978. It also features a T-tail.

PA-28-161 Cadet

The first and only Cadet is a 2-place, fixed landing gear landplane with a choice of a Lycoming O-320-D2A or -D3G engine of 160 horsepower. It decreased in its gross weight to 2,325 lbs. and replaced the PA-38 Tomahawk trainer in the late 1980s. However, this aircraft features the older Cherokee’s 2-side window fuselage with the later tapered wing.

Archer DX

The Archer DX features a compression-ignition engine that is simpler to operate, avoiding starting difficulties. It also features carburetor icing or propeller and mixture controls. Liquid cooling does not suffer shock cooling in a rapid descent. This variation reverts to 4 seats with fixed landing gear and a turbocharged Continental CD-155 diesel engine of 155 horsepower. 

Introduced at AERO Friedrichshafen in April of 2014, the turbocharger maintains full power up to over 10,000 ft. and climbs at 700 to 500 ft./min. at 86 knots. Its cruise fuel flow is 4.2 to 6.3 US gal at 50 to 75% power and a 100 to 117 knots IAS. This particular engine must be replaced every 2,100 hours.

Pilot 100 and Pilot 100i

The Pilot 100 and Pilot 100i were introduced in 2019 as low-cost VFR and IFR trainers, respectively, for the flight training market. The VFR features a fixed landing gear, 180 horsepower Continental Prime IO-370-D3A engine, and Garmin G3X Touch Certified avionics. 

The IFR version includes a GFC500 autopilot, 2-side-window fuselage with the later tapered wing, no baggage door, no air conditioning, no instruments on the right-hand panel, and all-white paint with decals. It comes with a two-place seating standard on the 100, and a rear third seat with push-to-talk and Bluetooth function standard on the i100 (optional for the 100). These newer versions received their type certifications in December 2020 in the United States and in August 2021 in Europe.

Top Piper Cherokee PA-28-160 Questions

The following are answers to FAQs about the Piper Cherokee PA-28-160.

How Much Does A Piper PA-28 Cherokee Cost?

The price of a Piper PA-28 Cherokee typically ranges from about $30,000 to $100,000, depending on its age and condition. Newer or well-maintained models can cost more.

What Is The Range Of The Piper PA-28 160?

The Piper PA-28 160 has a range of around 500 nautical miles, though this can vary based on weight and weather.

How Fast Is The Piper PA-28 Cherokee?

The Piper PA-28 Cherokee cruises at speeds of about 120 to 125 knots, making it suitable for various flying activities.

How Much Horsepower Does A 160 Cherokee Have?

The Piper PA-28 Cherokee 160 has a Lycoming O-320 engine that produces 160 horsepower, offering a good mix of performance and efficiency.

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