Piper Cherokee

The Piper Cherokee 140 is the quintessential entry-level aircraft of the PA-28 line. Designed to compete with the Cessna 172, it is a simple, all-metal, low-wing trainer. It is famous for its ‘Hershey Bar’ wing—a constant-chord, rectangular design that provides stable handling but high drag compared to later tapered-wing variants.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Simplicity: With fixed landing gear and a simple carbureted Lycoming O-320 engine, maintenance is as affordable as it gets in the certified world.
• Ease of Landing: The low-wing design creates a ‘ground effect’ cushion that makes greasing landings easier for students and rusty pilots alike.
• Modern Upgrades: Because so many were built, you can find examples with everything from LED lighting to full glass cockpits.

Trade-offs

• Cabin Size: This is the ‘short fuselage’ model. While it has four seats, the rear legroom is very tight, and it is realistically a ‘two-adults-and-bags’ airplane.
• The Sink Rate: Without power, the Hershey Bar wing has the glide ratio of a ‘falling brick’ compared to the later Warrior’s tapered wing.
• Performance: With only 140–150 hp, climb performance is anemic on hot days or at high density altitudes.