Buying guide
Piper Archer for sale: what to check before you buy
Published November 13, 2026.
The Piper Archer, the PA-28-181, is a four-seat trainer and touring aircraft built since the 1970s. The market splits into two very different groups: Archer IIs from the 1970s and 1980s, often with many hours, and Archer IIIs built from the mid-1990s, many with glass cockpits. Below is what the official EASA data sheet says, what today's listings show, and what to check before an offer, starting with a wing spar inspection that applies to high-hour aircraft.
What the data sheet says
EASA data sheet IM.A.234 covers the PA-28-181 Archer III. The older Archer II is on the American type certificate and does not appear on this EASA sheet.1
| PA-28-181 Archer III | Official data sheet |
|---|---|
| Serials | 2890206 to 2890231, and 2843001 and up |
| Engine | Lycoming O-360-A4M with carburettor (aircraft before serial 2843501), or fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-B4A; 180 hp at 2,700 rpm |
| Fuel | 100/100LL aviation gasoline; 182 litres usable |
| Max. takeoff weight | 1,157 kg (2,550 lb) in the normal category; 967 kg in the utility category |
| Seats | Pilot and 3 passengers (2 with the G3X option); pilot and 1 passenger in the utility category |
| Operations | VFR and IFR, day and night |
| Factory cockpits | Avidyne Entegra from serial 2843598; Garmin G1000 and G1000 NXi options |
For aircraft imported into EU countries, the data sheet lists extra requirements, such as the altimeter setting displayed in hectopascals. Sales names such as LX or TX do not appear on the data sheet; the model is always the PA-28-181.1
The wing spar directive
EASA airworthiness directive 2021-0107R2 applies to the PA-28-181 Archer II and III and to other PA-28 and PA-32 models. It followed a wing separation on a PA-28R-201 caused by fatigue cracking in a part of the lower main wing spar cap that cannot be seen.2
- A spar with 5,000 hours or more triggers a calculation of the aircraft's average annual use.
- If the aircraft averages 100 hours a year or more, the "EASA factored service hours" are calculated with the formula in the directive: (hours − 100 × years) + (100 × years) / 15.
- From 5,000 factored hours, a one-time eddy current inspection of two bolt holes in the lower spar cap is required, and the results must be reported. Incomplete maintenance records also lead to the inspection.2
Our example, using the directive's formula: an Archer built 46 years ago with 10,000 hours averages more than 100 hours a year, and its factored hours come to about 5,700, so the inspection applies. A low-hour Archer III will usually be far from the threshold.2
What today's listings show
On November 13, 2026, the PlaneFox aggregator, which collects listings from European and American portals and brokers, showed 68 Archer listings. We grouped them by the version in the title; 14 do not say which version they are.3
| PlaneFox, 11/13/2026 | Archer II | Archer III, LX, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Listings | 31 | 23 |
| Model years | 1975 to 1992 | 1995 to 2026 |
| Priced in euros | 14, from €51,000 to 150,000, median €98,750 | 3, from €160,000 to 320,000 |
| Total hours, median | 6,848 | 2,625 |
Recent Archer LX aircraft listed in the United States ask between US$362,900 and US$500,000. Asking price is not selling price.
What to check on any Archer
- The wing spar. Ask for the directive calculation in the records and, if it applies, the eddy current inspection report. Check whether either wing has ever been replaced with a used wing or spar.2
- The serial and the version. The serial tells you whether the aircraft is an Archer III on the EASA data sheet, which engine it left the factory with and which cockpit options apply.1 The routine for checking serial, registration and owner is in this post.
- Engine. Ask for the hours since overhaul, the date of the overhaul and who did it, and the calendar limits for that engine.
- School history. This part is our reading. Many Archers come from flight schools: ask for the landing count and repair history, and have the landing gear, the firewall and the wing attachments inspected with that in mind.
- Fuel. The data sheet sets 100/100LL aviation gasoline, as we explain in the AVGAS or Jet A-1 guide.1
- Other directives. Check the remaining directives for the airframe, engine and propeller, and compliance in the records.4
The Archer we have for sale
- Piper Archer: listed with under 30 hours on the airframe, engine and propeller, Garmin G1000, Garmin GTX 345R transponder, price on request.
The listing suggests several units with the same specification. The serial number, year, number of units available and the engine model are confirmed with the seller on request. A school comparing with a twin can also see our Piper Seminole guide.
Sources
- EASA, type certificate data sheet IM.A.234, Piper PA-28 (PA-28-181 Archer III), issue 8, Apr. 9, 2026: easa.europa.eu
- EASA, airworthiness directive 2021-0107R2, wings, lower main wing spar caps, inspection, effective May 27, 2022: ad.easa.europa.eu
- PlaneFox, Piper Archer listings, accessed Nov. 13, 2026: planefox.com
- EASA, Safety Publications Tool (airworthiness directives): ad.easa.europa.eu