Summary

  • The Piper Archer is a stable and safe aircraft, ideal for student pilots due to its predictability and usability.
  • The Piper Archer is popular for its reliability, fuel capacity, and Garmin G1000NXi avionics suite.
  • The Piper Archer LX and DX variants are modern, fuel-efficient, and comfortable, suitable for training and private ownership.

The Piper Archer is a popular four-seat, single-engine aircraft used for training, recreation and touring. It’s known for being a safe and reliable aircraft, making it a favorite among flight schools and private pilots. Let’s take a look in more detail as to why the Piper Archer is such a favorite among aircraft enthusiasts.

Introduction to the aircraft

The Piper Archer is a popular single-engine four-seat aircraft manufactured by the Piper Aircraft Company and is the number one choice for pilot training. It is based on the Cherokee and was first produced in the 1960s. It is a four-place, fixed landing gear aircraft with one Lycoming engine which produces 180 horsepower. The later editions have the Garmin 1000NXi avionics suite. There is both a trainer version and a leisure version of the aircraft.

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Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Aircraft characteristics

The Piper Archer is a very stable and predictable aircraft, making it ideal for student pilots. It is very user-friendly and does not overwhelm students, so it is less stressful when learning to fly. It has a low-wing design and is a safe and manageable aircraft. The Piper Archer offers a perfect combination of great performance and affordability and is easy to use compared to other training aircraft. It delivers on speed but does not overwhelm the student.

It is a spacious and efficient aircraft and the engines are known to be reliable and easily maintained. The aircraft has an impressive fuel capacity and range. The Piper Archer has precise controls and a robust design. It is known for its stability and ease of operation, and is critical for pilot training. The low-wing design provides excellent visibility and enhances situational awareness during flight. This aids navigation and allows pilots to better understand and manage the aircraft’s environs.

Piper Archer landing

Photo: Robert Buchel | Shutterstock

What sets it apart?

The Garmin G1000NXi avionics suite is intuitive and efficient and provides valuable inflight data. It is a streamlined system that allows students to learn critical systems without being overwhelmed by complex systems. It has a comfortable cabin and impressive fuel capacity and range, perfect for extended training sessions or cross-country flights.

The Archer offers a varied flying experience, vital for building up flight time. The aircraft is easy to repair, is low maintenance and parts are readily available. The average price of a pre-owned Piper Archer LX is $559,000 according to Aircraft Cost Calculator.

Aircraft specifications:

Exterior

  • Exterior Height: 7 ft 3 in
  • Wing Span: 35 ft 6 in
  • Length: 24 ft 0 in

Interior

  • Cabin Height: 4 ft 1 In
  • Cabin Width: 3 ft 6 In
  • Cabin Length: 7 ft 4 In
  • Cabin Volume: 105 cu ft
  • Internal Baggage: 24 cu ft

Occupancy

Operating Weights

  • Max T/O Weight: 2550 Lb
  • Max Landing Weight: 2550 Lb
  • Operating Weight: 1760 Lb
  • Empty Weight: 1658 Lb
  • Fuel Capacity: 48 gal Lb
  • Payload W/Full Fuel: 510 Lb
  • Max Payload: 798 Lb

Range

  • Normal Range: 484 nm
  • Max Range: 522 nm
  • Service Ceiling: 14,000 ft

Distances

  • Takeoff Distance: 1150 ft
  • Balanced Field Length: 1900 ft
  • Landing Distance: 920 ft

Performance

  • Rate of Climb: 667 fpm
  • Climb Rate One Engine Inop: N/A fpm
  • Max Speed: 133 kts
  • Normal Cruise: 118 kts
  • Economy Cruise: 108 kts

Power Plant

  • Engines: 1
  • Engine Mfg: Lycoming
  • Engine Model: O-360-B4A
Piper Archer on the ground

Photo: Robert Buchel | Shutterstock

A little history

The Archer was first introduced in 1967 as a member of the Piper Cherokee family. It was designed to be an affordable and easy-to-fly trainer and it quickly became one of the most popular airplanes in the world. Production of the Archer was discontinued in 2009, but it was brought back into production in 2010 due to continued demand.

Related: M700 Fury: Piper Unveils Fastest Single-Engine Aircraft

In production today

There are currently two main variants of the Archer in production: the Archer LX and the Archer DX. The Archer LX is powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming IQ-360-B4A engine and has a cruising speed of 128 knots. The propeller has two blades and is made by Sensenich. The aircraft is equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, which is a glass cockpit system that provides pilots with a wide range of information on electronic displays. It has an elegant leather interior and is perfect for private owners. The Archer TX is the training version of the LX.

Piper Archer in flight

Photo: Aerovista Luchtfotografie | Shutterstock

The Archer DX is the world’s first production diesel-powered certified trainer aircraft. It is powered by a 155-horsepower Continental CD-155 diesel engine, which is more fuel-efficient than traditional gasoline engines. The Archer DX also has the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite. There is also the Pilot 100 and 100i which are specifically for flight training.

Both variants of the Archer are known for their comfortable cabins and good handling characteristics. They are popular choices for pilots who are looking for a versatile and reliable airplane that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Read More: A Look At The History Of Piper Aircraft

In conclusion

The Piper Archer is a very versatile aircraft, that excels as a trainer but is also perfect for private ownership. The aircraft that are aimed at leisure travel have more comfortable seating and advanced avionics making them well-suited to short trips or cross-country flying.

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