This 1978 Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II Is a Fresh-Prop ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Complete logbooks and a dependable Lycoming engine make the classic an excellent entry-level cruiser.

FLYING Staff

Monday, June 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1978 Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II/III [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Today's Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II, presented as an affordable, well-documented single-engine piston aircraft ideal for flight training and personal cross-country travel.
Key features include a robust 160 hp Lycoming O-320-D3G engine (1,060 hours TSMOH), a propeller with zero hours since overhaul, and an avionics suite with modern ADS-B Out and current IFR certification.
With a recent annual inspection, complete logbooks, and listed at $94,900, this aircraft offers an immediate, ready-to-fly solution, providing excellent value for budget-conscious aviators.

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

Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II.

For decades, the Piper PA-28 series has served as a primary backbone for flight training and personal cross-country travel, celebrated for its exceptionally stable handling qualities, and forgiving flight characteristics. This 1978 Warrior II, based out of Texas, presents an appealing opportunity for pilots searching for an affordable, well-documented, single-engine piston aircraft with plenty of service life ahead.

The cockpit reveals a highly practical panel set up for day-to-day operations and time building. The avionics suite features a reliable King KX-170B nav/comm handling communication and navigation needs, paired with an Alcor EGT monitor.

To navigate modern airspace with full compliance, the aircraft is equipped with a King KT78A transponder integrated with a uAvionix SkyBeacon ADS-B Out system installed in 2020. A King KEA127 altitude encoder rounds out the panel, and with a current IFR certification, this aircraft stands ready for instrument flight workloads.

On the powerplant side, the aircraft features the notoriously robust 160 hp Lycoming O-320-D3G engine that displays 1,060 hours since major overhaul (TSMOH) in 2007 against a standard 2,000-hour TBO. Consistent cylinder compressions of 77/78/78/75 underscore its overall internal health. Bolstering this configuration is a Sensenich two-blade propeller boasting zero hours since a fresh overhaul completed in November 2025, offering immediate peace of mind to its next operator.

1978 Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II/III [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

With 3,363 hours on the airframe and complete logbooks, the aircraft’s operational history is traceable and intact. Recorded airframe items include a serviceable rudder installed in 2003 and a left-hand inboard aileron skin replacement from 1972 with an accompanying Form 337 filing. Complemented by an annual inspection from November 2025, this aircraft offers an immediate solution for buyers wishing to avoid multimonth maintenance wait times.

Listed at $94,900, this 1978 Piper Warrior II provides an immediate cross-country and training machine presenting an excellent value for discerning, budget-conscious aviators.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.