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About the Piper Cherokee
Type certificated 1964 Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet
Overview
The Piper Cherokee 140 is a two-plus-two, single-engine, fixed-gear trainer built around the original constant-chord “Hershey Bar” wing of the PA-28 family. Introduced in 1964 and powered by a 150 HP Lycoming O-320 with a fixed-pitch propeller, it cruises near 115 knots on about 8.4 gallons per hour and was produced through the late 1970s as Piper’s direct answer to the Cessna 150 and 172. It was built in very large numbers, which makes it one of the most common and affordable certified aircraft on the used market.
It sits at the entry point of the PA-28 line, below the semi-tapered-wing Warrior II and the 180 HP Archer II, and trades cruise speed and useful load for the lowest acquisition and operating cost in the family. Forgiving, stable handling and simple systems make it a staple primary trainer and a low-budget first airplane. Learning to fly, building hours, and short local recreational hops are the mission here: at roughly $89 an hour to run, it suits the student or budget-minded first owner who can accept the short cabin and modest climb in exchange for the lowest cost of entry in the PA-28 line.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Lowest cost of entry. Fixed gear, a fixed-pitch propeller, and a simple carbureted O-320 make the Cherokee 140 one of the cheapest certified four-seaters to buy and run, at about $89/hr in variable-direct costs.
- Forgiving handling. The Hershey Bar wing gives stable, predictable manners and gentle stalls, which is why the type filled flight-school ramps for two decades and suits low-currency owners.
- Deep support network. Almost any IA knows the PA-28 airframe, and a vast production run keeps used parts, avionics upgrades, and type knowledge readily available.
- Upgrade-friendly. Because so many exist, examples range from steam-gauge originals to glass-panel and LED-lit refurbishments, letting a buyer choose the panel rather than pay to install one.
Trade-offs
- Short cabin. This is the short-fuselage PA-28; rear legroom is tight and it is realistically a two-adults-plus-baggage airplane despite the four seats.
- Modest climb. With 150 HP, climb is adequate at sea level but anemic on hot days or at higher density altitudes, especially near gross weight.
- High-drag wing. The constant-chord wing is draggier than the later tapered Warrior wing, giving a steeper power-off glide and slightly lower cruise efficiency.
- No external baggage door. Like most PA-28s, all cargo loads through the cabin.
See Also
- Piper Cherokee Warrior II – the semi-tapered-wing successor: better climb and glide for a small step up in cost. Compare
- Piper Archer II – the 180 HP step-up on the same airframe: more payload and cruise. Compare
- Piper Cherokee Arrow – the retractable-gear PA-28: a complex-endorsement step up in speed. Compare
- Cessna 152 – the classic two-seat trainer cross-shop: simpler and cheaper, but smaller and high-wing. Compare
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk – the high-wing four-seat alternative: similar mission, larger cabin and support base. Compare
Featured in our buying guides
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Height
- 7 ft
- Length
- 23 ft
- Parking area (ft²2)
- 1,132 ft²
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 2,150 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 2,150 lbs
- Useful Load
- 949 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 50 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 115 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (VNE)
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 148 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 121 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 74 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (VS1)
- 55 KIAS
- Range
- 455 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 14,300 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 660 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 1,650 ft
- Landing over 50 ft obstacle
- 1,853 ft
Engine
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Sources
Where the figures on this page come from. Piper Cherokee specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.
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