Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II/III

Piper introduced the PA-28-161 Warrior in 1977 as a refresh of the Cherokee 140. The major change was the wing. The Warrior used a new tapered wing replacing the hershey-bar wing of the 140. The tapered wing delivered better cruise efficiency and lower stall speed at the cost of slightly more complex manufacturing. The Warrior also got modest interior and equipment refinements. The Lycoming O-320 engine continued, this time at 160 hp.

Production iterated through model designations. The Warrior II (1977-1994) was the volume variant for the first 17 years of production. The Warrior III (1994-2010s) introduced minor refinements, mostly to the interior and panel options. Piper paused Warrior production multiple times during the 2010s and 2020s based on training-fleet demand. The Warrior has been one of Piper's longest-running production models, with breaks but no permanent cancellation. Total Warrior production is roughly 7,000 aircraft.

The Warrior has been the volume Piper trainer alongside the Seminole twin since the late 1970s. ATP Flight School operates large Warrior fleets. University aviation programs use Warriors extensively. Most Warriors in private hands have spent at least some time in flight school service, which is the dominant pre-buy variable. Piper Owner Society and Piper Flyer Association both provide deep type-club support for the Warrior.

The Warrior cruises at about 117 KTAS at 75% power, burning 8 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 108 KTAS on 7 gph. The Warrior is roughly 5 to 8 knots faster than a Cherokee 140 at similar fuel burn due to the tapered wing aerodynamics. Performance is comparable to a Cessna 172N (similar cruise on similar fuel) but the Warrior is meaningfully more efficient than the Cherokee 140 it replaced.

Useful load on a Warrior is about 880 to 930 pounds. Full fuel (48 gallons usable) leaves about 570 to 620 pounds for people and bags. Two adults plus full bags fits within gross. Four adults of typical weight plus minimal bags fits but requires careful loading. The Warrior's four-seat designation is legally accurate and practically tighter than a Cessna 172 in similar conditions. Range with reserves is about 580 nm at long-range cruise. Service ceiling is 12,700 ft on paper.

The Lycoming O-320-D3G is the engine on every Warrior. It's a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct-drive, carbureted piston rated at 160 hp at 2,700 RPM. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE. The O-320-D3G is one of the most-produced Lycoming variants and has universal parts and shop support.

Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $28,000 to $40,000 in 2026 prices. The O-320-D3G is among the cheapest four-cylinder Lycomings to overhaul. The carbureted ignition and fuel system are simple and well-understood by every shop that works on Lycoming engines.

Oil consumption on a healthy O-320-D3G runs about 0.15 to 0.25 quarts per hour. The engine reaches TBO routinely when operated regularly. Training-fleet Warriors often have engines past TBO running on-condition with documented service records. Many Warriors have had multiple engines over their service lives due to high training utilization. Pre-buy should include current engine logbook review for time, history, and any major service events.

Plan on $115 to $165 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. The Warrior's operating economics are slightly higher than a Cherokee 140 but lower than a Cherokee 180 due to the tapered wing's better cruise efficiency. 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 $12 to $20 per hour.

Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add another $30 to $60 per hour at 100 hours a year of utilization. Insurance is friendly. First-time owners pay $1,800 to $3,500 a year typically. Partnership ownership works well and is common in Warrior fleets. Training utilization is the highest-impact variable in Warrior ownership economics.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: A Warrior II (1977-1994) with mid-time engine and steam-gauge panel runs $50,000 to $80,000. A Warrior II with fresh engine and modern Garmin panel runs $75,000 to $95,000. A Warrior III (1994-2010s) with low hours and modern equipment runs $85,000 to $130,000. Training-fleet pedigree is the dominant variable. Privately-owned and low-hour Warriors trade at significant premiums to fleet airplanes.

Piper Owner Society and Piper Flyer Association both cover the Warrior. Combined annual membership runs about $130. The Warrior has substantial type-club support including pre-buy guidance, engine overhaul shop recommendations, and the accumulated 45+ years of fleet operating experience.