The Piper PA-28 Archer II is a variant of the popular Piper PA-28 Cherokee series of light aircraft. This was built from the early 1980s onwards, later becoming the Archer III in the 1990s.

 

The PA-28 is of all-metal construction and is perhaps one of the most recognisable light aircraft designs, next to the Cessna 172. The aircraft is powered by an air-cooled Lycoming O-360 flat four engine that produces 180hp at 2700rpm and has a displacement of around 5.9 litres. It drives a fixed-pitch twin-bladed metal propeller.

 

The aircraft cruises at an airspeed of around 100-115Knots depending on power setting. As with most piston-engined light aircraft cruising power is usually around 55-75% power. At Edinburgh Flying Club we use around 2200RPM for cruise, equivilant to about 55% power; this gives us a 105Knots cruise and a fuel burn of about 35 Litres per hour. The aircraft holds just over 180 litres of fuel in two wing tanks. The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight is around 2550lbs.

 

The aircraft pictured is the Efinburgh Flying Club's Archer II, G-BNGT. It is a 1985 Archer II model and has at present around 6000 flying hours.

 

 

A very stable and comfortable aircraft, especially coming from the somewhat twitchier Tomahawk. The Archer is very easy to trim and will happily fly hands-off once trimmed out. The 180hp engine give the aircraft a lot of thrust and even fully loaded an initial climb rate of over 1000fpm can be achieved.

 

Very comprehensive avionics fit on this aircraft - 2xCOM, 2xVOR/DME, ILS, ADF, Mode C Transponder, and a GPS. Plenty of kit if you want to stretch your legs and go places. Comfortable cabin, with comfy leather seats and nice big windows. Instrument panel is sensibly laid out and at a good height,

 

The turning circle on the ground is fairly large and the brakes feel somewhat spongy, however the aircraft is still easy to taxi. The noise level isn't too bad for a light aircraft.

 

Taek-offs are a non-event, the aircraft smoothly accelerates down the runway with the need to apply a bit if right rudder due to the torque from the relatively powerful engine. The climb angle is quite steep compared to teh Tomahawk and climb rate at typical weights is in excess of 1000 feet per minute (fpm).

 

Controls are effective, especially ailerons, however elevator is heavier than in the Tomahawk. As mentioned previously the aircraft is very easy to trim out in level flight and the cruise is noticeably smoother than in the Tomahawk. A very good long-distance touring aeroplane, I think.

 

Stalling is very lazy, no real scares here. No wing-drops or funny business.

 

Landing is easy, in fact I find it easier than in the Tomahawk. Approach speed is 65 Knots; however if the speed is too high the Acher will float down the runway for ages, so watch out especially at shorter airstrips.

 

A very nice, comfortable, well-equipped aeroplane, useful as a tourer.