PIPER PA-28-181

The Archer II, built from 1976 and the most capable of the fixed-gear, normally aspirated Cherokees. It is a Warrior airframe with 180 hp and a 2,550 lb gross weight, which turns it from a trainer into a genuine four-seat travelling aeroplane: four adults with partial fuel, or two adults and full tanks for a 600-mile trip at 124 knots. It is the low-wing equivalent of a Cessna 172S and it is bought by the same people for the same reasons. The airframe and the carburetted 180 hp Lycoming have not changed since 1976, so what separates one year from another is the panel and the systems. Aircraft up to 1994 are Archer IIs with a 14-volt electrical system and a conventional round-dial panel. The Archer III of 1995 brought a 28-volt system, a flat metal panel with room for modern avionics and a restyled cowl, but still with conventional instruments. Avidyne Entegra glass was offered as an option on the Archer III from 2004; the Garmin G500 was the fitted panel by 2012, and from the 2013 model year Piper replaced it with the Garmin G1000; the G1000 NXi has been standard since 2017. So a 2005 to 2011 Archer may have round dials or Entegra depending on how it was ordered, a 2012 has a G500, and a 2014 or later has the G1000.

The case for it over a 172 comes down to preference — better ride in turbulence, better view in the circuit, worse view in a climbing turn, and one door instead of two. It is cheap to maintain and the carburetted O-360 is among the most reliable piston engines in use. The drawbacks are the single door, a rear seat that adults tolerate rather than enjoy, and modest useful load once you have added an autopilot and modern avionics. The standing homework on any PA-28 of this age is the wing spar inspection under the current airworthiness directive, plus corrosion and fuel tank condition. It is an easy aeroplane to insure and to sell.