This 1965 Piper PA-28-180 Is an Economical, All-Around ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Many fans say the basic four-seat PA-28 and the 180 hp engine are a perfect marriage.

Fans of the Piper PA-28-180 consider it an ideal combination of power and economy. [Courtesy: Thomas Freiesleben]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

The PA-28 was Piper’s answer to the Cessna 172, and for pilots on a budget who prefer a low wing, it was the answer for which they were waiting. The airplane had a sleeker, more modern look than the 172 but was still stable, forgiving and easy to fly. Still, some felt it lacked verve. That sentiment faded in 1963 when the PA-28 met the 180 hp Lycoming O-360. The extra 20 to 30 horsepower over O-320 powered PA-28s boosted the airplane’s performance but the biggest difference was in how it felt accelerating on the runway and climbing away from it.

Several years back my flying club had a PA-28-180 that I took on a few long trips including a flight from New Jersey to Rhode Island to pick one of our sons up from camp. After years of flying a 160 hp Cessna 172 I could appreciate the Piper’s added muscle.That airplane also sold me on the low-wing format, and I have rarely looked back.

This 1965 Piper PA-28-180 has 2,490 hours on the airframe and 293 hours on its Lycoming O-360-A3A engine since overhaul. The panel includes a King 97A com, AirGizmos iPad docking station, Narco VOR, Narco AT150 transponder, uAvionix ADS-B, Davtron digital clock, and an Electronics International EGT/CHT.

Pilots seeking a sharp-looking, straightforward personal aircraft with satisfying speed and carrying capacity thanks to its 180 hp engine should consider this 1965 Piper PA-28-180, which is available for $105,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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