| The Piper Cherokee aircraft was a well known | | | | In terms of manufacturing statistics, take a look at the |
| member of the family of aircraft built by Piper Aircraft | | | | three most common models of the Piper Cherokee |
| Inc. This particular model was originally released to the | | | | family: |
| public between 1961 and 1962. It was the intention of | | | | The Piper Cherokee 180, also known as the |
| Piper Aircraft to release a model that was a light | | | | PA-28-180, was largely introduced to the market in |
| aircraft designed for flight training, air taxi service, as | | | | 1962 as a 180 hp light aircraft. Just under 11,000 units of |
| well as personal use. And, it was very effective as | | | | this model were manufactured. The 180 could reach a |
| just that for people who bought it. | | | | maximum speed of 132 knots, with a service ceiling of |
| Another name for the Piper Cherokee is the PA-28, | | | | 15,700 feet. |
| which is actually the model name. The Cherokee is a | | | | The Cherokee 235, also known as PA-28-235 |
| member of the family of all metal, unpressurized single | | | | followed shortly after in 1963 and impressed as a |
| engine aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft. | | | | more powerful version of the Cherokee. It was |
| Generally, the Cherokee models seated four people, | | | | powered by a 235 hp Lycoming O-540 engine. Just |
| including one crew member. | | | | about 3,000 of these units were made. The 235 could |
| One distinct feature that stood out about the | | | | reach a maximum speed of 144 knots and a |
| Cherokee is that it had a single door on the pilot side. | | | | maximum service ceiling of 14,500 feet. |
| This door allowed access to the plane for all | | | | In 1964, the Piper Cherokee 140 or PA-28-140 was |
| passengers, allowing them to step on the wing to enter | | | | introduced as the bottom end of the Cherokee line. It |
| the plane. At the time, it was a feature typical to Piper | | | | was designed for training, and although the name was |
| Cherokee aircraft. | | | | Piper Cherokee 140, it came with a 150 hp engine. The |
| Several variations were made in the Cherokee family, | | | | 10,000 units of this model that were created could |
| ranging from the Cherokee 140 to the Cherokee 300. | | | | reach a maximum speed of 123 knots, with a service |
| There was also a six seat variant of the Cherokee, | | | | ceiling of 14,300 feet. |
| which was originally referred to as the Cherokee Six | | | | As you can see, the Piper Cherokee served its time |
| or PA-32. This was not necessarily one of Piper's best | | | | and served the traveling public well, specifically those |
| sellers, but it worked well for customers who liked the | | | | people interested in flight training and air taxi. |
| Cherokee, and wanted one to fit six passengers. | | | | |