Archer II & III Components
Piper PA-28 Archer III · Systems Description
Overview
This document provides a detailed systems description for the Piper PA-28 Archer II and III models. It covers various components of the aircraft, including the engine, electrical systems, fuel systems, and avionics. The information is intended for pilots and maintenance personnel to understand the operational aspects and maintenance requirements of these aircraft. Key features such as the Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, vacuum systems, and safety equipment are discussed, along with their functions and locations within the aircraft. This guide serves as a reference for familiarization with the systems and components specific to the Archer II and III.
- Lycoming O-360-A4M engine with 4 cylinders and carbureted system.
- 28V, 70 Amp alternator specific to Archer III.
- Normal vacuum gauge range is 4.8-5.2 inches of mercury.
- Electric fuel pump provides redundancy during takeoff and landing.
- Stall warning system alerts pilots of impending stalls.
Document
Source
Originally published by iflycoast.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Systems Description
- Year
- 2015
- Pages
- 27
- File size
- 4.3 MB
- Publisher
- iflycoast.com
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-28 Archer III.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Piper PA-28 Archer IIImanuals & documents
- PIPER ARCHER QUICK REFERENCE v4.3: AUG2025Emergency Procedures
- HANSCOM AERO CLUB PA-28-181 PIPER ARCHER III EMERGENCY PROCEDURES / OTHER INFO 09/2025Emergency Procedures
- Monthly Summary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Month of June, 2021Type Certificate
- AFMS – GFC 500 Autopilot in Piper PA-28 SeriesNormal Procedures
- PA28-181 PIPER ARCHER III PREFLIGHTChecklist
- PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK AND FAA APPROVED AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUALPilot's Operating Handbook
- PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK AND FAA APPROVED AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUALTraining Manual
- Pilot’s Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- EMERGENCY PROCEDURES CHECKLISTChecklist
- Weight & Balance for Piper PA-28 Archer IIIWeight And Balance
- Piper Archer III (P28A-180) Quick Reference HandbookNormal Procedures
In this document
Engine Specifications
The Piper PA-28 Archer III is equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine, which is a carbureted, 4-cylinder, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated engine. It features rubber baffles for airflow management and cooling fins.
Electrical System
The Archer III has a 28V, 70 Amp alternator located at the 5 o'clock position behind the propeller. This system provides electrical power to the aircraft and recharges the battery. The document also details the starter and the engine-driven fuel pump.
Vacuum System
The Archer III includes a vacuum pump that provides suction to vacuum-powered instruments such as the attitude indicator and directional gyro. The normal suction gauge range is 4.8 to 5.2 inches of mercury. An auxiliary vacuum pump is also included for redundancy.
Fuel System
The fuel system consists of an engine-driven fuel pump and an electric fuel pump for redundancy. The fuel strainer, or gascolator, is the lowest point in the fuel system and is checked for contamination during preflight inspections.
Safety Equipment
The document describes the stall warning system, which consists of a small tab on the leading edge of the left wing that alerts pilots of an impending stall. It also covers the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) located on the right side of the empennage.
Safety notes
- Ensure vacuum systems are operational before flight.
- Check fuel strainer for contamination during preflight inspections.
- Test stall warning system functionality regularly.
Full document text
Archer II & III Components Lycoming O-360-A4M Engine © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. Piper Archers -Carbureted -4 Cylinders -Horizontally Opposed -Naturally Aspirated Cylinder Rubber baffles to redirect airflow for cooling Fins for air cooling Magnetos © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • 2 Magnetos attached to engine in left and right positions • Engine driven, provide power to spark plugs Ignition leads to spark plugs Spark plugs © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. There are 8 spark Plugs • Provides spark to the cylinders for combustion • 2 per cylinder • Each spark plug is powered by a different magneto for redundancy Vacuum Pump © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. Provides suction to vacuum powered instruments • Attitude Indicator • Directional Gyro Suction gauge (Normal Range 4.8-5.2) Auxiliary Vacuum Pump © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Equipped on Archer III’s • Located on right upper side of firewall behind engine • Electrically driven backup vacuum source in the event of engine driven vacuum pump failure • Activated by an “Aux Vac” Button on left hand side of panel next to vacuum gauge Starter © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Located just behind the prop spinner on the 5 o’clock position in both models • Turns propeller spinner when starting Starter Gear Alternator © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Provides electrical power to the aircraft • Recharges battery • Belt driven • Archer II - 14Vt 60 Amp Alternator • Archer III - 28Vt 70 Amp Alternator • Archer II – Located on 7 O’clock position behind prop • Archer III – Located on 5 O’clock position Alternator Belt Engine Driven Fuel Pump © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Located on back side of Engine • Pressurizes fuel system to keep a steady flow of fuel to the engine Electric Fuel Pump © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Auxiliary source of fuel pressure for added redundancy so that fuel flow continues in the event of engine driven fuel pump failure • Used during takeoff & landing Fuel Strainer © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Also known as the Gascolator, is the lowest point in the fuel system • Filters sediments and debris within the fuel system • Fuel is sumped at every preflight to check for contamination Carburetor © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Float Type Carburetor located underneath engine block • Mixes Air/Fuel before entering engine for combustion • If needed, hot air can enter from an exhaust shroud utilizing the carb heat lever to prevent or remove any icing build up Fuel Lines Air Source Air Induction © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. Archer II Intake Archer III Intake Air entering the engine is routed through an intake that goes to an air filter prior to entering the carburetor Cabin Heat © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Lower inlet on front left side of cowling • When turned on, air enters the inlet and is routed into an exhaust shroud for heating prior to entering cabin Exhaust Shroud Alternator Cooling Air Inlet © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Equipped on Archer III’s • Upper inlet on front left portion of lower cowling Archer III’s • Routes air into the back of the alternator for cooling Air Duct Pitot-Static Mast © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Provides both ram air and static air inputs for the pitot static instruments • Front air port provides ram air for airspeed indicator aka pitot tube • Lower and rear ports provides static air for the static instruments Ram Air Static Static Static Source on empennage © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • This static source only supplies static pressure to the autopilot system on board if equipped Stall Warning © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Small tab on leading edge of left wing • Provides warning to the pilots of an impending stall Ground Power Inputs © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. Archer II 12 Volt Input Archer III 24 Volt Input Refer to Pilots Operating Handbook for Instructions Fresh Air Inlets © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Brings fresh air from outside into cabin COMM Antennas © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. COMM 1 If there is no COMM 2 antenna on top of the aircraft, it will be underneath GPS Antenna Transponder Antennas © 2016 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. Type of antenna varies between aircraft regardless if it is Archer II or III VOR Antenna © 2016 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • V Shaped antenna on top of vertical stabilizer • Used for VOR navigation Garmin GPS Antenna © 2016 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Flat round shaped antennas located on top of the fuselage • Receive GPS satellite signals for GPS navigation Marker Beacons Antenna © 2016 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Located underneath the empennage of both Archer II’s & III’s • Used during IFR approaches to let pilots know the location of marker beacons to determine their location on an approach ELT © 2016 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. ELT Panel Antenna • Emergency Locator Transmitter • Located on right side of empennage • In the event of a forced landing, it will transmit an emergency signal on 121.5 to aid search and rescue efforts Temperature Probes © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved. • Provides Outside Air Temperature (OAT) indicated on a Temp. Gauge