Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior and Archer: specs, V-speeds and costs
The Piper PA-28 is a four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear family: Cherokee, Warrior and Archer. A 160-hp Warrior II has Vx 63, Vy 79 and Vne 160 KIAS with a 17-knot demonstrated crosswind; a 180-hp Archer cruises at up to 128 KTAS on 48 usable gallons. US schools rent one for about $155-$160 an hour wet.
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79 KIAS
Vy, Warrior II
POH VB-1180
17 kt
Demonstrated crosswind
Warrior II / Archer III POH
48 gal
Usable fuel
POH
$155-$160
Median rental, wet
12 US operators
PA-28 training cockpit kit
The PA-28 is a flight-school workhorse, so the best monetization fit is practical student and renter gear.
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The PA-28 family
Every model below shares FAA type certificate 2A13, first issued in October 1960: the same low-wing, four-seat airframe with a stabilator tail and a single door on the right. What changes is the engine, the wing planform and, on the Arrow, the landing gear.
| Model | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| PA-28-140 Cherokee 140150 hp | Original constant-chord "Hershey bar" wing; 2,150 lb max weight. Built 1964-1977 (secondary source). |
| PA-28-180 Cherokee 180180 hp | Four-seat step-up on the original straight wing. |
| PA-28-151 Warrior150 hp | Introduced the tapered wing in 1974 (secondary source). |
| PA-28-161 Warrior II / III160 hp | Lycoming O-320-D2A or -D3G; 2,440 lb. The trainer most US schools fly. |
| PA-28-181 Archer II / III / LX / TX / DX180 hp | Tapered wing from 1976 (secondary source); 2,550 lb. The Archer LX flies with the Garmin G1000 NXi. |
| PA-28R Arrow200 hp and up | Retractable gear and a constant-speed propeller: the classic complex trainer. |
| PA-28-236 Dakota235 hp | The most powerful fixed-gear PA-28; tapered wing from its 1979 introduction (secondary source). |
Piper PA-28 specifications
Dimensions and performance are Piper's figures for the current Archer LX; engines, weights and limits come from the POHs and the type certificate. Each row says which model it describes.
| Dimensions (Archer LX) | |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 35.5 ft (10.8 m)[PIPER, W2]The 1982 Warrior II three-view shows 35 ft. |
| Length | 24 ft (7.3 m)[PIPER] |
| Height | 7.3 ft (2.2 m)[PIPER] |
| Seats | 4[TCDS]Normal category; 2 in the utility category. |
| Engine | |
| Warrior II (PA-28-161) | Lycoming O-320-D2A or -D3G, 160 hp at 2,700 rpm[W2] |
| Archer (PA-28-181) | Lycoming O-360-A4M or IO-360-B4A, 180 hp[TCDS, PIPER]The current Archer LX uses the fuel-injected IO-360-B4A, flat-rated at 180 hp. |
| Cherokee 140 (PA-28-140) | Lycoming O-320-E2A or -E3D, 150 hp[TCDS] |
| Propeller | Sensenich two-blade, fixed pitch[W2, PIPER] |
| Weights and fuel | |
| Max takeoff weight | Warrior II 2,440 lb · Archer 2,550 lb[W2, TCDS, PIPER]Ramp: 2,447 lb and 2,558 lb. Cherokee 140: 2,150 lb. |
| Empty weight / useful load | 1,688 lb / 870 lb (Archer LX)[PIPER]Older airplanes vary: use the weight and balance record. |
| Fuel capacity | 50 gal total, 48 gal usable[W2, A3]24 usable gallons per wing; there is no BOTH position on the selector. |
| Baggage | 200 lb[W2]Warrior II, normal category. |
| Performance (Archer) | |
| Max cruise speed | 128 KTAS[PIPER]Piper's figure for the Archer LX. |
| Cruise at 65% power | 117 KTAS on 9.5 gal/hr[A3]Best economy mixture, the Archer III POH flight-planning example. |
| Fuel burn at 55% power | 8.2 gal/hr[A3]Best economy mixture. |
| Range | 522 nm[PIPER]ISA, no wind (Piper, Archer LX). |
| Takeoff over 50 ft | 1,608 ft[PIPER] |
| Landing over 50 ft | 1,400 ft[PIPER] |
| Max approved altitude | 14,100 ft[PIPER] |
| Max demonstrated crosswind | 17 kt[W2, A3]Warrior II and Archer III POHs. |
Sources
- [W2] Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II Pilot's Operating Handbook (VB-1180, 1982), Sections 1, 2 and 4
- [A3] Piper PA-28-181 Archer III Pilot's Operating Handbook (VB-1563, 1994), Sections 2, 4 and 5
- [TCDS] FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 2A13, Rev. 63 (2021)
- [PIPER] Piper Aircraft, Archer LX specification sheet (2026)
Piper Warrior II V-speeds
The PA-28-161 Warrior is the PA-28 most US students fly, so the airspeed indicator below is drawn from the markings in its 1982 POH. Archer and Cherokee numbers are in the next table.
- White arc 44-103 KIASFlap operating range (Vs0 to Vfe, full flaps)
- Green arc 50-126 KIASNormal operating range (Vs1 to Vno)
- Yellow arc 126-160 KIASCaution range: smooth air only
- Red line 160 KIASVne, never exceed
- Vx
- 63 KIAS
- Best angle of climb
- Vy
- 79 KIAS
- Best rate of climb
- Best glide
- 73 KIAS
- Engine failure (POH emergency checklist)
- Final approach
- 63 KIAS
- Flaps 40° (70 flaps up)
- Va
- 111 KIAS
- Maneuvering, 2,440 lb (88 at 1,531 lb)
- Vfe
- 103 KIAS
- Max flaps extended
- Vno
- 126 KIAS
- Max structural cruising
- Vne
- 160 KIAS
- Never exceed
- Vs0
- 44 KIAS
- Bottom of the white arc
- Vs1
- 50 KIAS
- Bottom of the green arc
Sources
- [W2] Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II Pilot's Operating Handbook (VB-1180, 1982), Sections 1, 2 and 4
PA-28 V-speeds by model
A Warrior, an Archer and a Cherokee do not share numbers. Use the column that matches your POH.
| KIAS unless noted | Warrior II (161) | Archer III (181) | Cherokee 140 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 160 hp | 180 hp | 150 hp |
| Max takeoff weight (lb) | 2,440 | 2,550 | 2,150 |
| Vx | 63 | 64 | 74 mph |
| Vy | 79 | 76 | 85 mph |
| Best glide | 73 | 76 | — |
| Va at max weight | 111 | 113 | 112 KCAS |
| Vfe | 103 | 102 | 100 KCAS |
| Vno (top of green) | 126 | 125 | 121 KCAS |
| Vne (red line) | 160 | 154 | 148 KCAS |
| White arc | 44-103 | 45-102 | — |
| Green arc | 50-126 | 50-125 | — |
| Demo crosswind (kt) | 17 | 17 | — |
Sources
- [W2] Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II Pilot's Operating Handbook (VB-1180, 1982), Sections 1, 2 and 4
- [A3] Piper PA-28-181 Archer III Pilot's Operating Handbook (VB-1563, 1994), Sections 2, 4 and 5
- [TCDS] FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 2A13, Rev. 63 (2021)
- [C140] Piper Cherokee 140 Owner's Handbook (753-584)
Warrior II: POH VB-1180 (1982). Archer III: POH VB-1563. Cherokee 140: limits from FAA TCDS 2A13 (published in knots CAS) and climb speeds from the Owner's Handbook, which uses mph. Note the Archer's Vne is 154 KIAS = 148 KCAS: sites quoting "148 KIAS" mix up the two. A dash means we did not find it in a document we could read.
PA-28 fuel burn and range
The Archer III POH plans 9.5 gallons per hour at 65% power with a best-economy mixture (117 KTAS in its flight-planning example) and 8.2 gal/hr at 55% power. With 48 usable gallons, Piper lists a 522 nm range for the Archer LX in standard conditions with no wind.
The fuel is split into two 24-gallon wing tanks and the selector has no BOTH position, so fuel planning in a PA-28 includes a tank-switching plan. Work out your own numbers with the fuel burn calculator.
How much it costs to rent a Piper Warrior or Archer
On published rate sheets read October 3, 2026, the median was $155 an hour wet for a Warrior and $160 for an Archer, within a few dollars of a Cessna 172.
| Piper Warrior (PA-28-161) | $155/hr medianRange $112.50-$215 wet, 5 US schools and clubs. |
|---|---|
| Piper Archer (PA-28-181) | $160/hr medianRange $123.50-$260 wet, 7 operators (one Archer listed at $299). |
| Cessna 172 (for comparison) | $165/hr medianRange $105-$215 wet, 15 operators. |
Aircraft only, US dollars per flight hour, from published rate sheets read October 3, 2026. “Wet” means the sheet says fuel is included. Some clubs bill tach time (10-15% fewer hours than Hobbs) and add monthly dues. Instructor time is billed on top: $50-$125 per hour on the same rate sheets, about $80 typical.
Schools and clubs in the sample
- Aces High Aviation (Long Beach, CA)
- CP Aviation (Santa Paula, CA)
- EFI Flight School (Murrieta, CA)
- Fly Goodyear (Goodyear, AZ)
- Mountain Peaks Aviation (Ogden, UT)
- Pilot Rise (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX)
- The Flight School Inc. (Spring, TX)
- Texas Flight Aviation (Spring, TX)
- Metro Flyers Club (Denton, TX)
- St. Charles Flying Service (St. Charles, MO)
- St. Pete Air (St. Petersburg, FL)
- Rexair (Naples, FL)
- All2fly (Georgia)
- MacAir (Fort Knox, KY)
- Doylestown Airport (Doylestown, PA)
- Moore Aviation (Beaver Falls, PA)
- East Hill Flying Club (Ithaca, NY)
- Jersey Aero Club (Lakewood, NJ)
- TSS Flying Club (Washington, DC area)
- Prescott Flying Club (South St. Paul, MN)
- Skyhawk Flying Club (Omaha, NE)
- Bergstrom Aircraft (Pasco, WA)
- Eastern Cincinnati Aviation (Batavia, OH)
- Capital City Aviation (Columbus, OH)
- Fly Synergy (Illinois)
- Performance Flight (Westchester, NY)
- American Flight Schools (Colorado and California)
- Hoosier Aviation (Terre Haute, IN)
PA-28 vs Cessna 172 vs Cessna 152
The three airplanes most US students train in, with the same definitions for each number.
Side by side
Cessna 152 vs Cessna 172 vs Piper PA-28 Archer
1978-85, 110 hp
- Seats
- 2
- Max takeoff weight
- 1,670 lb
- Cruise speed
- 107 KTAS
- Usable fuel
- 24.5 gal
- Demo crosswind
- 12 kt
- Median rental, wet
- $137.50/hr
172S, 180 hp
- Seats
- 4
- Max takeoff weight
- 2,550 lb
- Cruise speed
- 124 KTAS
- Usable fuel
- 53 gal
- Demo crosswind
- 15 kt
- Median rental, wet
- $165/hr
Archer, 180 hp
- Seats
- 4
- Max takeoff weight
- 2,550 lb
- Cruise speed
- 128 KTAS*
- Usable fuel
- 48 gal
- Demo crosswind
- 17 kt
- Median rental, wet
- $160/hr
Sources
- [152] Cessna 152 POH (1979), Sections 1, 4 and 5; FAA TCDS 3A19 Rev. 50
- [172] Cessna 172S POH (172SPHUS-05, 2004); FAA TCDS 3A12 Rev. 84
- [PA28] Piper PA-28-181 Archer III POH (VB-1563), Sections 2 and 4; Piper 2026 Archer LX spec sheet
- [RATES] Published rate sheets of 30 US flight schools and flying clubs, read October 3, 2026
*Piper publishes 128 KTAS as the Archer LX maximum cruise speed; Cessna figures are 75% power at 8,000-8,500 ft. Rental medians: 6 (C152), 15 (C172) and 7 (Archer) US operators, wet rates.
Deciding between the two four-seaters? Read Piper Archer vs Cessna 172 or the Cessna 172 guide.
Training in a PA-28
Low-wing ground effect
The wing sits close to the runway, so the airplane floats in ground effect if you arrive fast. Fly the POH approach speed: 63 KIAS with full flaps in a Warrior II.
One door, on the right
Everyone boards over the right wing walk, and the pilot climbs in first. Brief passengers on it, and on where to step.
Fuel selector discipline
LEFT, RIGHT, OFF and no BOTH: tank switching becomes a checklist habit from the first lesson.
Stabilator and trim
The all-moving horizontal tail is light in pitch; trim makes a bigger difference than in a 172.
Crosswinds
17 kt of demonstrated crosswind in the Warrior II and Archer III POHs, compared with 15 kt for the 172.
View in the pattern
The wing blocks the view below but not above, which helps see traffic in turns and hurts ground-reference work.
Whatever you fly, every private pilot takes the same FAA knowledge test: see the private pilot written exam guide and the PPL exam prep.
Cost to buy a Piper PA-28
Rough asking-price ranges seen in 2025-2026 listings, not appraisals. Engine time, avionics and damage history decide where a specific airplane lands; get a pre-buy inspection.
| Model | Asking price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 140 / 180 | $25,000 - $60,000 | Straight wing; engine time and corrosion drive price. |
| Warrior II (PA-28-161) | $40,000 - $90,000 | Big supply; the value pick for a trainer. |
| Archer II / III (PA-28-181) | $60,000 - $150,000 | 180 hp and more payload; higher demand. |
| Recent Warrior / Archer with glass | $150,000 and up | G1000-family avionics; training-fleet demand. |
| Arrow (PA-28R) | $60,000 - $180,000 | Complex airplane; inspect the gear system closely. |
Common issues and maintenance
Wing spar airworthiness directive
In 2020 the FAA issued a wing spar inspection AD for many PA-28 and PA-32 models after a fatal spar failure on a training airplane. Whether and when it applies depends on the airplane's factored service hours, so check compliance in the logbooks before buying or renting a high-time trainer.
Fuel tank management
The selector has LEFT, RIGHT and OFF, but no BOTH. Running a tank dry is a classic PA-28 engine-stoppage cause: switch tanks on a schedule and before landing as your POH directs.
Fuel tank and quick-drain leaks
Wing tanks can seep at seams and sumps on older airframes; stains or fuel smell at the wing root deserve a mechanic's look.
Nose gear and oleo struts
Oleo struts that sag or leak hydraulic fluid change the ground attitude and handling; servicing them is routine at inspections.
Carburetor ice (carbureted engines)
Carbureted Cherokees, Warriors and early Archers can ice in humid air even on warm days; use carburetor heat as the POH says.
Corrosion
Check wing attach areas, stabilator and control-cable runs, especially on coastal airplanes.
Gear for the Piper PA-28 Cherokee
The kit that actually rides along in a Piper PA-28 Cherokee — picked from what trainers and owners already use.
Piper PA-28 FAQ
What are the Piper PA-28 V-speeds?
For a PA-28-161 Warrior II the 1982 POH gives Vx 63 KIAS, Vy 79, best glide 73, Va 111 at 2,440 lb (88 at 1,531 lb), Vfe 103, Vno 126 and Vne 160, with a white arc of 44-103 and a green arc of 50-126. A PA-28-181 Archer III differs: Vx 64, Vy 76, best glide 76, Va 113, Vfe 102, Vno 125 and Vne 154 KIAS.
How much fuel does a Piper Archer burn?
The Archer III POH plans 9.5 gallons per hour at 65% power with a best-economy mixture (117 KTAS in its example) and 8.2 gal/hr at 55% power. Usable fuel is 48 gallons, 24 per wing, and you switch tanks yourself because the selector has no BOTH position.
How much does it cost to rent a Piper Warrior or Archer?
On published rate sheets we read on October 3, 2026, a Warrior rented for $112.50 to $215 an hour wet (median $155, five operators) and an Archer for $123.50 to $260 (median $160, seven operators). Instructor time is billed on top, $50 to $125 an hour on the same sheets.
How fast is a Piper PA-28?
Piper lists a 128 KTAS maximum cruise for the 180-hp Archer LX, and the Archer III POH's planning example cruises at 117 KTAS at 65% power. The 160-hp Warrior II has a 160 KIAS never-exceed speed and a 126 KIAS top of the green arc.
What is the useful load of a Piper Archer?
Piper lists 870 lb for the Archer LX (1,688 lb standard empty weight, 2,550 lb max takeoff). Full usable fuel, 48 gallons, weighs 288 lb, leaving about 582 lb for people and baggage. Older airplanes vary, so use your airplane's weight and balance record.
What is the max crosswind for a Piper PA-28?
Both the Warrior II and Archer III POHs list a maximum demonstrated crosswind of 17 knots, two knots more than the Cessna 172's 15. It is a tested value, not a structural limit.
What is the difference between the Cherokee, Warrior and Archer?
They are all PA-28s on FAA type certificate 2A13. The Cherokee 140 has 150 hp and the original constant-chord "Hershey bar" wing. The Warrior (PA-28-151, then the 160-hp PA-28-161) introduced the tapered wing in 1974, and the 180-hp Archer (PA-28-181) got it in 1976. The Arrow is the retractable-gear version.
Piper PA-28 vs Cessna 172: which is better for training?
Costs are close: our sample median was $160 for an Archer and $165 for a 172. The PA-28 is low-wing with a single door on the right and 17 kt of demonstrated crosswind; the 172 is high-wing with a door on each side and an easier view of the ground. Both teach the same skills, so train where the airplanes are best maintained and most available.
How many Piper PA-28s have been built?
More than 32,000 PA-28s of all versions, according to secondary sources, which makes it one of the most produced light-airplane families after the Cessna 172.
Compare the aircraft guides
Same format in every guide: spec tables with their sources, V-speeds from the POH and rental costs measured on real rate sheets.
Cessna 152
2 seats · high wing · fixed gear · 110 hp
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
4 seats · high wing · fixed gear · 180 hp (172S)
Piper PA-28 Cherokee You are here
4 seats · low wing · fixed gear · 140-180 hp
Cessna 182 Skylane
4 seats · high wing · fixed gear · 230 hp (182T)
Mooney M20
4 seats · low wing · retractable gear
Cirrus SR22
Low wing · fixed gear · 310 hp · airframe parachute (CAPS)
Beechcraft Bonanza
6 seats (G36) · low wing · retractable gear · 300 hp
Garmin G1000
Glass cockpit: PFD, MFD and the knobs that run them
Related trainer and student-pilot guides
Budget Aviation Headsets
First-headset picks for students training in PA-28s and Cessna 172s.
Best Flight Bags
Carry headset, kneeboard, logbook, and checkride materials without cockpit clutter.
Weight & Balance Tool
Run a practical loading check before flying a Warrior, Archer, or Cherokee.
Crosswind Calculator
Headwind and crosswind components for any runway.
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