Peninsula Aero ClubThe Piper PA-28 Cherokee
Models from this 'family' of aeroplanes first started to appear in 1961. Until that time, Piper had been making the successul high wing cubs, pacers, tri-pacers and colts. Superb as they were, they were looking decidedly pre-war compared to the all metal models flowing into the market from Cessna and Beech. Piper needed to reassert itself.
1976 PA-28 Cruiser
It did this with the release of a four seat, all metal, stressed-skin model with tricycle undercarrieage, laminar-flow wing, fuel tanks in the wing leading edges and manually operated slotted flaps. The superb appearance made for a design that looks as good today as it did back then. It's wing was a constant chord and the fibreglass nose cowl, wingtips, fin and rudder caps were features that enabled Piper to keep production costs low.
1965 180hp Cherokee C
The earlier models came with a Lycoming engines between 140 and 160hp. Subsequent models appeared with 180hp for greater performance and the PA-28-235 model with the six cylinder Lycoming 235hp O-540-B4B5 engine. In the early 1970s new models were introduced featuring a change from the constant chord wing.
1977 PA-28 Cruiser 150hp
The new design had much the same fuselage but the wing was tapered outward from the flaps and featured a higher aspect ratio to reduce induced drag. Popular among these was the Cruiser with a 150hp O-320 engine.
1966 PA-28 180hp
In the late 1970s many refinements were made, specifically to the wing and engine. Engines specifically developed to make the most from 100/130 octane aviation fuel became a feature of the new models. A new range was born with the release of the Warrior, Archer, Pathfinder and the Dakota.
They all look superb, their design and flight characteristics making them favourites with private owners and flying schools. Quite a number of these excellent aircraft can be found at Tyabb, watched over by their fastidious owners.