 Piper Cherokee 180 |  New Piper Archer III |
| STANDARD DATA: Archer (PA-28-180) Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,450. Empty wt. 1,395. Fuel capacity 50. Engine 180-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Cruise 129 kts. Stall 53 kts. Initial climb rate 725 fpm. Range 507 nm. Ceiling 14,150. Takeoff distance (50′) 1,625. Landing distance (50′) 1,185. | STANDARD DATA: Archer (PA-28-181) Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,550. Empty wt. 1,414. Fuel capacity 50. Engine 180-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Cruise 129 kts. Stall 49 kts. Initial climb rate 667 fpm. Range 565 nm. Ceiling 13,236. Takeoff distance (50′) 1,210. Landing distance (50′) 1,390. |
The 180-hp Cherokee 180 was unveiled in 1963, one year before the Cherokee 140 made its debut. It uses the same basic Cherokee airframe and wing that serves the entire series from the 140-hp two-seat trainer to the 300-hp fuel-injected Cherokee Six. The Model 180 utilizes a slightly longer wing, a wider horizontal stabilator, and a more spacious cabin. In recent models, handling and stability improved, while the heavy airliner feel changed to a light control response. The first year in which the Cherokee 180 received a name was 1973, it was dubbed the Challenger. The following year it was renamed Archer, and in 1976 it became Archer II. The 1976 Archer can carry up to 1,160 pounds of people, luggage, and fuel. Starting in 1977, Archer got an upgraded designator, the PA-28-181, because of a new semi-tapered wing. This wing deserves much of the credit for the 181’s payload and speed increases. The modernized Archer III began in 1995, still sporting the original 180 hp.
