PA28

The Piper PA-28 is a family of light, single‑engine, four‑seat airplanes designed and manufactured by Piper Aircraft. Introduced in 1961 as the Cherokee, it has become one of the best known training and personal flight aircraft in general aviation. The PA‑28 is a low‑wing, all‑metal, tricycle‑gear airplane, built to provide predictable handling, good visibility, and reliability for everyday operations.

The PA‑28 family has several major subfamilies. The fixed‑gear Cherokee variants include the PA‑28‑140, PA‑28‑150, PA‑28‑160, and the PA‑28‑161 Warrior, which offered progressively higher performance and updated instrumentation while retaining the same basic airframe. The PA‑28‑235 Cherokee 235 added more power for improved performance in climbs and cruise. The Archer line, represented by the PA‑28‑181 Archer and its later variants (Archer II and Archer III), emphasized cabin comfort and modern avionics while keeping the fixed landing gear.

Retractable‑gear variants are marketed under the Arrow designation. The PA‑28R Arrow family, along with subsequent Arrow II/III models, features retractable landing gear, a constant‑speed propeller, and higher overall performance suitable for cross‑country flying and more advanced training.

Uses and impact: The PA‑28 has been widely adopted for primary flight training and as a practical four‑seat personal aircraft. Its combination of stable handling, forgiving stall characteristics, and ease of maintenance contributed to its enduring popularity, making the PA‑28 one of the most common types in general aviation fleets worldwide.