Piper PA-28-150/160 Cherokee

Piper introduced the PA-28 Cherokee in 1960 as a clean-sheet four-seat replacement for the aging Tri-Pacer (PA-22) and Comanche (PA-24) lineup. The original Cherokee 160 had a Lycoming O-320-B2B at 160 hp, all-metal construction, fixed tricycle landing gear, and the hershey-bar wing that became the early Cherokee's defining feature. Production began in 1962 after FAA certification.

The Cherokee 150 followed in 1963 as a slightly cheaper entry-level variant with the lower-power Lycoming O-320-A2A or -A2B at 150 hp. Both variants shared the same airframe, the same panel, and the same general flying characteristics. The 10 hp difference between the 150 and 160 was modest in cruise but more noticeable in climb performance and useful load. Piper sold both in parallel until 1967.

Production ended in 1967 when Piper consolidated the entry-level PA-28 lineup around the Cherokee 140 (introduced 1964) and the Cherokee 180 (introduced 1963). The 140 became the cheap two-to-four-seat trainer, the 180 became the four-seat hauler, and the 150/160 were dropped as no-longer-needed middle options. Total PA-28-150 and PA-28-160 production was about 2,500 aircraft. The fleet that survives is supported by the same Piper Owner Society and Piper Flyer Association resources that cover other early Cherokees.

The PA-28-160 cruises at about 115 KTAS at 75% power, burning 8 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 105 KTAS on 7 gph. The PA-28-150 is roughly 5 knots slower at similar fuel burn. Both are competitive with comparable four-seat singles of the early 1960s, though they trail later Cherokees with bigger engines.

Useful load on a PA-28-160 is about 875 to 950 pounds. Full fuel (50 gallons usable) leaves about 575 to 650 pounds for people and bags. Two adults plus full bags or four adults plus minimal bags fits within gross with careful loading. The PA-28-150 has slightly less useful load due to the same engine weight but lower power-to-weight ratio. Range with reserves is about 600 nm at long-range cruise. Service ceiling is 14,300 ft on paper but the 150 to 160 hp engines get thin above 6,000 ft DA at gross weight.

The Lycoming O-320-B2B (PA-28-160) and O-320-A2A or -A2B (PA-28-150) are the engines on these Cherokees. Four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct-drive piston, carbureted. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours for both variants per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE. The O-320 family is one of the most-produced Lycoming engines in fleet operation.

Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $28,000 to $40,000 in 2026 prices. The O-320-A and -B variants are essentially identical for overhaul purposes. Parts availability is universal. The O-320 is one of the cheapest four-cylinder Lycomings to overhaul.

Oil consumption on a healthy O-320 runs about 0.15 to 0.25 quarts per hour. The engine reaches TBO routinely when operated regularly. Many original Cherokee 150s and 160s have engines past TBO running on-condition. The carbureted O-320 has the same simple ignition and fuel system as the O-320 in the Cherokee 140 and Warrior. Maintenance economics are predictable and well-supported.

Plan on $95 to $135 per flight hour at 75 hours a year of utilization, all-in. Cherokee 150 and 160 operating economics are similar to the Cherokee 140 with slightly higher fuel burn due to the 160 hp engine running at higher power settings for cruise. Fuel and oil run about $44 to $58 per hour at 8 gph and $5.50 to $7 for 100LL. Engine overhaul reserve is $14 to $20 per hour based on a $28,000 to $40,000 overhaul amortized across the 2,000-hour TBO. Airframe maintenance reserve is $10 to $18 per hour.

Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add another $30 to $55 per hour at 75 hours a year of utilization. Insurance on the 150 and 160 is friendly. Hull values are low. First-time owners pay $1,500 to $3,000 a year typically. The airplane is friendly for partnership ownership.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: PA-28-150 aircraft trade $30,000 to $55,000 depending on engine and condition. PA-28-160 aircraft trade $35,000 to $60,000 due to the slightly higher useful load and resale demand. Both are at the cheap end of the Cherokee used market. Project airplanes (not currently flying) trade as low as $18,000 to $25,000.

Piper Owner Society and Piper Flyer Association both cover the original Cherokees. Combined annual membership runs about $130. Most maintenance questions and pre-buy decisions benefit from consulting type-club resources. The 150 and 160 are well-documented in the type-club community.