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Piper · 1963–1973

Piper Cherokee 180 (1963-1973)

pipercherokeefixed-gearlow-wingTrainerclassichershey-bar-wingfamily180hp
Piper Cherokee 180 (1963-1973)i

Specifications

Cruise

119KTAS

Range

630nm

Seats

4

Useful Load

1170lbs

Full-fuel payload

870lbs

Fuel Burn

9.5gph

Fuel Cap.

50gal

MPG

14.4mpg

Stall (Vs0)

47KIAS

T/O roll

720ft

Ldg roll

600ft

Power

180hp

Engine

piston single

Gear

Fixed

IFR

Yes

Category

certified

Pricing

Typical

$62k

Range

$38k – $95k

Annual all-in

~$10k/yr

All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.

Cost to own — estimate

Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.

100
20300
$6.50
$3$10
Fuel (9.5 gph)
$6,175
Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
$1,400
Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
$1,925
Total per year
$9,500
Per flight hour
$95
Miles flown / year (at cruise)
13,694 mi
Cost per mile
$0.69/mi

Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.

Title & Escrow partnerExample placement

Strengths

  • Excellent 1,170 lb useful load for era and price point
  • Robust Lycoming O-360 engine with strong reliability record
  • Now MOSAIC light-sport eligible (effective late 2024)
  • Stable-to-appreciating value; ~8,000 built ensures parts availability

Weaknesses

  • Hershey bar wing slightly less efficient than later tapered designs
  • Single right-side cabin door limits emergency egress options
  • Aluminum fuel cells prone to corrosion; seam inspection critical
  • Older avionics and interior typical for 1963–1973 production

Overview

The 1963-1973 Piper Cherokee 180 is the original 180 HP Cherokee -- the PA-28-180 -- representing the entry of Piper into the 4-seat fixed-gear single-engine market. The Cherokee 180 succeeded the smaller Tri-Pacer and competed directly with the Cessna 172 and Beechcraft Musketeer for the family/training/short-cross-country market.

Approximately 8,000 Cherokee 180s were built across the 1963-1973 production -- one of the most numerous PA-28 variants. The Cherokee 180 was succeeded in 1974 by the PA-28-151/161 Warrior (160 HP) and PA-28-181 Archer II (1976-onward 180 HP redesigned) as Piper modernized the line.

MOSAIC Eligibility

Cherokee 180s are MOSAIC light-sport eligible with the new FAA MOSAIC rule (effective late 2024). At 2,400 lbs gross weight, they fall within the 3,000 lb LSA category, opening sport pilot operations under the new rule.

Variants & History

Variant Letters

VariantYearsEngineHPNotes
Cherokee 1801963-1967Lycoming O-360-A2A180Original
Cherokee 180B1965-1967Lycoming O-360-A2A180Refinements
Cherokee 180C1966-1967Lycoming O-360-A2A180Refinements
Cherokee 180D1968-1969Lycoming O-360-A4A180New engine variant
Cherokee 180E1969Lycoming O-360-A4A180Refinements
Cherokee 180F1970-1971Lycoming O-360-A4A180Refinements
Cherokee 180G1972Lycoming O-360-A4A180Refinements
Cherokee Challenger 1801973Lycoming O-360-A4A180Last carbureted Cherokee 180

The Cherokee Challenger (1973) is the final and most refined Cherokee 180. Some Challenger 180s sold into 1974 as Piper transitioned production to the Warrior.

The Hershey-Bar Wing

The Cherokee 180 (and the entire pre-1974 PA-28 line) used a constant-chord rectangular wing affectionately known as the "Hershey bar" wing. The Hershey bar wing has distinct characteristics vs the later tapered wing (1974+):

  • Easier construction (lower manufacturing cost)
  • Slightly less efficient at cruise
  • Different stall characteristics (more pronounced stall break)
  • Slightly slower cruise (~5 KTAS slower than tapered wing equivalent)

The Hershey bar wing is purely a Cherokee identifier -- the later tapered wing on the Warrior/Archer II is aerodynamically superior. However, Cherokee 180s with the Hershey bar wing have a distinctive vintage look that some buyers prefer.

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Performance

  • Cruise: 119 KTAS at 7,500 ft (75% power)
  • Climb: 740 FPM at gross
  • Fuel burn: 9.5 GPH cruise
  • Range: 630 NM with reserves at 50 gal fuel
  • Useful load: 1,170 lbs

The Cherokee 180's 1,170 lb useful load is excellent for the era -- often comparable to the Skylane at lower acquisition cost.

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Valuation Factors

VariantConditionPrice Range
Cherokee 180/180B/180CFlying but tired$38,000-$55,000
Cherokee 180/180B/180CWell-maintained$55,000-$75,000
Cherokee 180D/E/F/GWell-maintained$50,000-$80,000
Cherokee Challenger (1973)Well-maintained$60,000-$95,000

Cherokee 180s have stable to slightly appreciating value -- popular for training, family flying, and as second airplanes for ag pilots.

Financing partnerExample placement

ADs & Common Problems

  1. Lycoming O-360 cylinder condition: Borescope all four cylinders. O-360 is robust but mid-time cylinder issues common.
  2. Hershey bar wing spar inspection: AD 2020-26-16 mandates spar inspections on certain serial numbers; verify compliance.
  3. Cabin door operation and seal: Single right-side cabin door; verify hinge condition and seal integrity.
  4. Fuel bladders or fuel cells: Most Cherokee 180s have aluminum fuel cells (not bladders); inspect for corrosion at seams.
  5. Stabilator trim: Cherokee uses stabilator; verify trim drum operation and proper rigging.

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