Piper Aircraft Pa-28-161

Single Piston

The Piper PA-28-161 Warrior is a four-seat, single-engine trainer and personal aircraft that became one of general aviation's most successful designs after its introduction in 1974. Built as the entry-level member of Piper's Cherokee family, the Warrior paired a 160-horsepower Lycoming O-320 engine with a tapered wing design borrowed from the Arrow, delivering docile handling characteristics that made it a favorite of flight schools worldwide. The type's forgiving stall behavior, stable cruise performance, and straightforward systems earned it a reputation as an ideal platform for ab-initio training and time-building. With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,440 pounds and a cruise speed around 115 knots, the Warrior occupies the sweet spot between economy and capability for private pilots and training operations. Its low-wing configuration provides excellent visibility during pattern work, while the fixed tricycle gear and simple fuel system minimize operational complexity. The Warrior II (1977-1994) and Warrior III (1995-present) variants introduced incremental refinements including improved avionics, interior appointments, and a slightly more powerful engine option, but the core airframe remained largely unchanged—a testament to the original design's effectiveness. Production continued for nearly five decades, with thousands of airframes delivered to flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners across six continents. The type remains in active production today, now marketed as part of Piper's trainer lineup alongside the Archer and Arrow. SkyMeter has tracked 74 flights across 23 airframes and 21 operators, with BLUE SKY AVIATION SERVICES LLC the largest observed operator.