Skip to main content
Sell

Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide

Piper PA-28 Archer III · Model Guide

Free account — keep the POHs & checklists you reference in one place.

Overview

The Piper PA-28 Archer III (PA-28-181) is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane in production since 1994. It has a carbureted, naturally aspirated Lycoming O-360-A4M four-cylinder engine. It is FAA approved in Normal and Utility categories. The handbooks cover serial numbers 2843001 and up, plus a Garmin G1000 version for serial 2843701 and up.

  • Four seats. Max takeoff weight is 2550 lbs Normal or 2130 lbs Utility. Baggage limit is 200 lbs and fuel is up to 48 gallons.
  • Carbureted Lycoming O-360-A4M with two spark plugs per cylinder. Archer III adds an electric backup vacuum pump and a 28-volt electrical system.
  • Key speeds: best glide 76 kts, Vfe 102 kts, Vno 125 kts, Vne 154 kts.
  • Match the handbook to the airplane's serial number. Non-Piper STC installations (avionics, autopilot) have their own inspection rules.

Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.

Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.

Document

Source

Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

View original at sprinkle.com

Report a problem or request removal

Document details

Type
·
Model Guide
Year
·
2026
File size
·
50 KB
Copy found at
·
sprinkle.com

Specifications & performance

Extracted from this document.

Specifications

Fuel capacity (gal)
·
48
Max ramp weight (lb)
·
2,558
Max baggage weight (lb)
·
200
Max takeoff weight (lb)
·
2,550

Performance

Best glide speed (kt)
·
76
Emergency descent speed (kt)
·
102
Power off final approach speed (kt)
·
66

V-speeds

V_X_KTS
·
64
V_Y_KTS
·
76
V_FE_KTS
·
102
V_NE_KTS
·
154
V_NO_KTS
·
125
V_S1_KTS
·
50
V_SO_KTS
·
45
V_A_MAX_WEIGHT_KTS
·
113

Weight & balance

Aft cg limit (in)
·
93
Max ramp weight (lb)
·
2,558
Max baggage weight (lb)
·
200
Max landing weight (lb)
·
2,550
Max takeoff weight (lb)
·
2,550
Forward cg limit light (in)
·
82
Utility max takeoff weight (lb)
·
2,130
Forward cg limit at max weight (in)
·
88.6
About this document
How many people and how much baggage can the Piper PA-28 Archer III carry?

The Piper PA-28 Archer III seats four. The baggage compartment limit is 200 lbs in Normal category and 0 lbs in Utility. Max takeoff weight is 2550 lbs Normal and 2130 lbs Utility.

What engine does the Piper PA-28 Archer III use?

The Piper PA-28 Archer III uses a carbureted, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder Lycoming O-360-A4M. It has dual magnetos with two spark plugs per cylinder. Carburetor heat is part of the icing and engine-roughness procedures.

What avionics versions of the Piper PA-28 Archer III exist?

Piper PA-28 Archer III sources include a G1000 handbook (serial 2843701 and up), a Garmin GFC 500 autopilot flight manual supplement covering PA-28-181, and club checklists mentioning a PFD and standby instruments. Verify the actual installed equipment.

What is the Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide?

The Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide is a model guide for the Piper PA-28 Archer III, dated 2026.

What year was the Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide published?

The Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide — the Piper PA-28 Archer III model guide on file — is dated 2026.

Documentation completeness
4/7

Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-28 Archer III.

This aircraft
Browse all aircraft modelsAircraft directory
For sale
Browse all aircraft for saleAircraft wanted ads
Your library
All Piper PA-28 Archer III manuals13All Piper manualsFull manuals libraryMy hangar
Tools
Identify an aircraftTail number lookupAircraft matcherCompare aircraftCan I land here?Where can it land?
Explore Sprinkle
Aircraft directoryManufacturersAirlinesEnginesAircraft for sale
For professionals
List an aircraft for salePost a wanted adDealer & broker directoryData & API licensingData sources

More Piper PA-28 Archer IIImanuals & documents

In this document

Weight and loading

Max ramp weight is 2558 lbs Normal and 2138 lbs Utility. Max takeoff and landing weight is 2550 lbs Normal and 2130 lbs Utility. At 2550 lbs the CG limits are 88.6 inches forward and 93.0 inches aft of the datum. At 2050 lbs or less the forward limit is 82.0 inches. The datum is 78.4 inches ahead of the wing leading edge.

Engine and systems

The engine is a Lycoming O-360-A4M, carbureted, four-cylinder and horizontally opposed. It has 8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder, each fed by a different magneto. The belt-driven alternator is 28 volt, 70 amp. The Archer III has an electrically driven backup vacuum pump with an Aux Vac button. It also has a 24 volt ground power input, an electric fuel pump used for takeoff and landing, and a gascolator that is sumped at every preflight.

What to check on inspection

Use the preflight list as a buyer's checklist. Look at the alternator belt, oil quantity (quick reference: 6 qts, 5 minimum), fuel sumps and strainer for contamination, fuel tank vents, and the propeller and spinner. Also check the pitot heat and stall warning, the aux vacuum pump and the annunciator panel. Confirm the handbook revision and the equipment list match the airplane.

Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.

Safety notes

  • The handbook is valid only for the airplane named on its title page and must be kept current. It must be carried in the airplane.
  • Non-Piper approved STC installations change inspection requirements. Piper inspection criteria may not apply to those parts.
  • Engine roughness: carburetor heat on, then switch tanks, run the electric fuel pump and cycle the magnetos. Power-off short final speed is 66 kts.

Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.

Full document text

Piper PA-28 Archer III Model Guide The Piper PA-28 Archer III (PA-28-181) is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane in production since 1994. It has a carbureted, naturally aspirated Lycoming O-360-A4M four-cylinder engine. It is FAA approved in Normal and Utility categories. The handbooks cover serial numbers 2843001 and up, plus a Garmin G1000 version for serial 2843701 and up. • Four seats. Max takeoff weight is 2550 lbs Normal or 2130 lbs Utility. Baggage limit is 200 lbs and fuel is up to 48 gallons. • Carbureted Lycoming O-360-A4M with two spark plugs per cylinder. Archer III adds an electric backup vacuum pump and a 28-volt electrical system. • Key speeds: best glide 76 kts, Vfe 102 kts, Vno 125 kts, Vne 154 kts. • Match the handbook to the airplane's serial number. Non-Piper STC installations (avionics, autopilot) have their own inspection rules. Weight and loading Max ramp weight is 2558 lbs Normal and 2138 lbs Utility. Max takeoff and landing weight is 2550 lbs Normal and 2130 lbs Utility. At 2550 lbs the CG limits are 88.6 inches forward and 93.0 inches aft of the datum. At 2050 lbs or less the forward limit is 82.0 inches. The datum is 78.4 inches ahead of the wing leading edge. Engine and systems The engine is a Lycoming O-360-A4M, carbureted, four-cylinder and horizontally opposed. It has 8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder, each fed by a different magneto. The belt-driven alternator is 28 volt, 70 amp. The Archer III has an electrically driven backup vacuum pump with an Aux Vac button. It also has a 24 volt ground power input, an electric fuel pump used for takeoff and landing, and a gascolator that is sumped at every preflight. What to check on inspection Use the preflight list as a buyer's checklist. Look at the alternator belt, oil quantity (quick reference: 6 qts, 5 minimum), fuel sumps and strainer for contamination, fuel tank vents, and the propeller and spinner. Also check the pitot heat and stall warning, the aux vacuum pump and the annunciator panel. Confirm the handbook revision and the equipment list match the airplane. Safety notes: • The handbook is valid only for the airplane named on its title page and must be kept current. It must be carried in the airplane. • Non-Piper approved STC installations change inspection requirements. Piper inspection criteria may not apply to those parts. • Engine roughness: carburetor heat on, then switch tanks, run the electric fuel pump and cycle the magnetos. Power-off short final speed is 66 kts.

All Piper PA-28 Archer III model guide