Piper PA-28 Dakota Model Guide
Piper PA-28 Dakota · Model Guide
Overview
The Piper PA-28 Dakota is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built from 1979 to 1994. It has a 235 hp Lycoming O-540, fixed landing gear, a tapered wing and 72 gallons of usable fuel. Maximum takeoff weight is 3000 lbs, and the factory standard useful load is 1392 lbs. A club checkout notes it needs a high-performance endorsement and has heavier controls than an Archer.
- 235 hp Lycoming O-540 with a two-blade Hartzell constant-speed propeller; recommended TBO is 2000 hours.
- Max takeoff weight 3000 lbs; standard empty weight 1608 lbs, useful load 1392 lbs, baggage limit 200 lbs.
- Fuel: two 38.5 gal tanks, 72 gal usable, 100LL. The selector has OFF, LEFT and RIGHT only, with no BOTH position.
- Published max speed 148 kts, 144 kts at 75% power (best power), 1110 fpm sea-level climb, 17,500 ft service ceiling.
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.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 50 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Fuel total (gal) ·
- 77
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 235
- Fuel usable (gal) ·
- 72
- Fuel per tank (gal) ·
- 38.5
Performance
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 148
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 1,110
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 17,500
- Landing over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,725
- Takeoff over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,216
- Takeoff ground run (ft) ·
- 886
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 825
- Cruise 75pct best power (kt) ·
- 144
V-speeds
- BEST_GLIDE_KTS ·
- 85
- VA_2000LBS_KTS ·
- 102
- VA_2500LBS_KTS ·
- 113
- VA_3000LBS_KTS ·
- 124
- SHORTEST_LANDING_APPROACH_KTS ·
- 72
- MAX_DEMONSTRATED_CROSSWIND_KTS ·
- 17
Weight & balance
- Fuel usable (gal) ·
- 72
- Max baggage (lb) ·
- 200
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 3,000
- Standard useful load (lb) ·
- 1,392
- Standard empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,608
Do I need a special endorsement to fly the Piper PA-28 Dakota?
Yes. A club checkout document states that a high-performance endorsement is required to fly the Piper PA-28 Dakota.
How much fuel does the Piper PA-28 Dakota carry and burn?
The Piper PA-28 Dakota has two 38.5 gal tanks, 77 gal total and 72 gal usable, and takes 100LL. Factory data lists 11.8 gph at 65% best power. One club checklist uses 13 USG/h at 65%.
How does the Piper PA-28 Dakota differ from the Pathfinder?
The Piper PA-28 Dakota is nearly identical to the PA-28-235 Pathfinder except for its new tapered wing. That wing made it faster, gave it more fuel capacity and improved its climb.
What oil level should I expect on a Piper PA-28 Dakota?
Full is 12 quarts on the Piper PA-28 Dakota. Club minimums differ: one checkout uses 9 quarts and another says more than 8. Confirm the operator's policy.
What is the Piper PA-28 Dakota Model Guide?
The Piper PA-28 Dakota Model Guide is a model guide for the Piper PA-28 Dakota, dated 2026.
What year was the Piper PA-28 Dakota Model Guide published?
The Piper PA-28 Dakota Model Guide — the Piper PA-28 Dakota model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-28 Dakota.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Piper PA-28 Dakotamanuals & documents
See all 17 →- Piper Dakota (PA-28-236)Pilot's Operating Handbook
- PIPER ARCHER PA-28-181 PILOT’S CHECKLISTEmergency Procedures
- LAUSANNE AEROCLUB - PA28-236 PIPER DAKOTA II - HB-PMPChecklist
- Piper Dakota (PA-28-236)Emergency Procedures
- Piper PA-28 Main Gear Fairing Installation and Maintenance ManualSupplemental Type Certificate
- Piper Aircraft PA-28-236 Maintenance ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PIPER PA28/236 DAKOTA (AFM 02.02.1981)Emergency Procedures
- PIPER PARTS CATALOGParts Catalog
- Blue Sky Aviation New Aircraft CheckoutSystems Description
- DAKOTA INFORMATION MANUALPilot's Operating Handbook
- DAKOTA PILOT’S OPERATING HANDBOOK AND FAA APPROVED AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUALPilot's Operating Handbook
- NORMAL PROCEDURESNormal Procedures
Related documents
- Performance Data for the Piper PA-28 DakotaPiper PA-28 Dakota · Performance Data
- PIPER PA-28-160 Model GuidePIPER PA-28-160 · Model Guide
- Piper PA-28 Archer II Model GuidePiper PA-28 Archer II · Model Guide
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee 160 Model GuidePiper PA-28 Cherokee 160 · Model Guide
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee 235 Model GuidePiper PA-28 Cherokee 235 · Model Guide
In this document
What it is
The Piper PA-28 Dakota was introduced in 1979 as the second generation of the PA-28-235 Pathfinder. It is almost identical except for a new tapered wing, which made it faster, gave it more fuel and improved climb. A club checkout calls it heavier on the controls than an Archer and says a high-performance endorsement is required.
Published performance
At sea level, zero wind and standard temperature: takeoff ground run 886 ft, 1216 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. Landing roll with standard brakes is 825 ft, 1725 ft over 50 ft. The factory sheet also lists H.D. brake figures of 640 ft and 1530 ft. Range including a 45 minute reserve is 650 nm at 75% best power, up to 810 nm at 55% best economy.
What to check when buying
Look for the maintenance manual (reissued 1986, revised through February 1995) and the vendor manuals for the Lycoming O-540, Hartzell propeller and Bendix magnetos. A.B.S. thermoplastic gear and strut fairings have their own repair manual. Club notes give oil as 12 quarts full, max oil temperature 245 F and max CHT 500 F. The airplane has three fuel drains and a 14-volt, 60A alternator.
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
- Best glide is 85 KIAS. After an engine power loss: switch tanks, electric fuel pump ON, mixture RICH, carburetor heat ON.
- Turn the electric fuel pump ON and verify fuel pressure before changing tanks; there is no BOTH detent.
- If the ALT light comes on, check the ammeter and ALT circuit breaker. The battery is then the only power source, so land as soon as practical.
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 Dakota Model Guide The Piper PA-28 Dakota is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built from 1979 to 1994. It has a 235 hp Lycoming O-540, fixed landing gear, a tapered wing and 72 gallons of usable fuel. Maximum takeoff weight is 3000 lbs, and the factory standard useful load is 1392 lbs. A club checkout notes it needs a high-performance endorsement and has heavier controls than an Archer. • 235 hp Lycoming O-540 with a two-blade Hartzell constant-speed propeller; recommended TBO is 2000 hours. • Max takeoff weight 3000 lbs; standard empty weight 1608 lbs, useful load 1392 lbs, baggage limit 200 lbs. • Fuel: two 38.5 gal tanks, 72 gal usable, 100LL. The selector has OFF, LEFT and RIGHT only, with no BOTH position. • Published max speed 148 kts, 144 kts at 75% power (best power), 1110 fpm sea-level climb, 17,500 ft service ceiling. What it is The Piper PA-28 Dakota was introduced in 1979 as the second generation of the PA-28-235 Pathfinder. It is almost identical except for a new tapered wing, which made it faster, gave it more fuel and improved climb. A club checkout calls it heavier on the controls than an Archer and says a high-performance endorsement is required. Published performance At sea level, zero wind and standard temperature: takeoff ground run 886 ft, 1216 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. Landing roll with standard brakes is 825 ft, 1725 ft over 50 ft. The factory sheet also lists H.D. brake figures of 640 ft and 1530 ft. Range including a 45 minute reserve is 650 nm at 75% best power, up to 810 nm at 55% best economy. What to check when buying Look for the maintenance manual (reissued 1986, revised through February 1995) and the vendor manuals for the Lycoming O-540, Hartzell propeller and Bendix magnetos. A.B.S. thermoplastic gear and strut fairings have their own repair manual. Club notes give oil as 12 quarts full, max oil temperature 245 F and max CHT 500 F. The airplane has three fuel drains and a 14-volt, 60A alternator. Safety notes: • Best glide is 85 KIAS. After an engine power loss: switch tanks, electric fuel pump ON, mixture RICH, carburetor heat ON. • Turn the electric fuel pump ON and verify fuel pressure before changing tanks; there is no BOTH detent. • If the ALT light comes on, check the ammeter and ALT circuit breaker. The battery is then the only power source, so land as soon as practical.