Piper Archer Aircraft 1970s
Pre-1980 piston singles are heritage airframes that have typically been rebuilt and refurbished multiple times — original avionics replaced with modern Garmin or Avidyne panels, engines on at least one mid-time overhaul cycle, interiors refreshed once or twice. Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion (especially wing carry-through, tail, gear), AD compliance history, log-book continuity, engine cylinder borescope. Heritage value can be meaningful for original aircraft in restored condition.
33 used Piper Archer aircraft for sale 1970s · $25K – $299K · updated 4 hours ago
About the Piper Archer
The Piper Archer (PA-28-181) is the 180 hp version of the Cherokee — generally considered the best all-round four-seat single in the Piper line. Its Lycoming O-360 cruises around 125 knots with a useful load that takes four adults and meaningful baggage. Still in production today as the Archer LX (Garmin G1000) and DX (diesel), the Archer has the longest model life in the PA-28 family and the largest used market.
Piper Archer Specifications
Model specThe Piper Archer is a single engine piston with a cruise speed of 124 kt (230 km/h), a range of 703 nm (1,302 km).
33 Piper Archer For Sale
Browse all 33 listings →There are currently 33 used Piper Archer for sale, ranging from $25,000 to $299,000, with a median asking price of $119,000.
Compare Piper Archer
See how the Piper Archer stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
⏲ Compare Piper Cherokee generations →Piper Archer Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Archer cost? Used Archer prices: $25K – $299K, average $117K (median $119K), across 27 priced of 33 active listings.
Based on 20 priced listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Piper Archer Value by Model Year
Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.
Lowest around $204,900 (2001 models) · highest around $491,000 (2023). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Piper Archer
When buying a Piper Archer, the biggest value drivers are engine time since overhaul, maintenance-record completeness, damage history and avionics.
What to check before buying
- Engine time to overhaul — hours and years remaining drive price more than total airframe time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records protect value.
- Damage history — any prior accident or incident; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a modern glass panel vs legacy steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Archer
How much does a used Piper Archer cost?
Archer or Warrior?
Is the Archer still in production?
How fast is the Archer?
Piper Archer Inventory by Country
| United States | 428 |
| United Kingdom | 37 |
| Germany | 20 |
| Canada | 16 |
| Australia | 12 |
| Switzerland | 10 |
Piper Archer Inventory by State
| California | 54 |
| Texas | 46 |
| Florida | 45 |
| Kentucky | 19 |
| Illinois | 11 |
| Oklahoma | 11 |
| Georgia | 11 |
| Missouri | 11 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| Arizona | 9 |
| Michigan | 9 |
| Louisiana | 8 |
Piper Archer by Price
| Under $100k | 200 |
| Under $200k | 440 |
| Under $300k | 467 |
| Under $500k | 485 |
Recently Sold Piper Archer
| 1977 Arrow | $115,000 |
| 1963 Cherokee 235 | $125,000 |
| 1977 Arrow | $134,196 |
| 1966 Cherokee 180 | $53,580 |
| 2005 Arrow | $300,552 |
| 1979 Archer | $190,000 |
Piper Archer Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper Archer. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database