Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II

Overview

The Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II is a four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear, single-engine land airplane used for primary training and local travel. The Warrior II's 160 hp Lycoming O-320-D3G engine, 2,440 lb gross weight, and low-wing sight picture give it a different training profile from both a Cessna 152 and a Cessna 172S.

This page covers the August 1982 Warrior II handbook basis. The PA-28-161 designation spans multiple production and equipment configurations. Radios, optional equipment, interior fittings, repairs, and the aircraft's current empty weight can change the useful load and center of gravity. The handbook revision and aircraft records must stay attached to any real loading calculation.

Performance

The handbook performance basis lists 118 kt cruise and 522 nm range. These are published figures under the source's assumptions, not a forecast for an individual flight. Power setting, mixture, altitude, temperature, wind, loading, and the condition of the aircraft affect the result.

The climb references separate two useful goals. VX 63 KIAS is the best angle reference, while VY 79 KIAS is the best rate reference. The difference matters in a training discussion because a faster climb speed is not automatically a better angle speed. Read the POH chart with the applicable weight and atmospheric conditions. A density altitude calculation can illustrate the trend, but the current aircraft handbook supplies the performance data.

V-speeds

The Warrior II source lists VNE 160 KIAS, VNO 126 KIAS, and VFE 103 KIAS. The maximum-weight maneuvering speed is 111 KIAS at 2,440 lb. The same handbook gives a lower maneuvering speed at a lighter weight, which is a concrete reminder that VA is not one fixed number.

The VX, VY, and VA glossary entries provide general definitions. The current POH, placards, and aircraft-specific limitations take priority over this reference page.

Weight and balance

The handbook useful load of 863 lb leaves a practical loading question rather than a simple four-seat answer. Four occupants, baggage, and fuel compete for the same weight allowance. The 48 gal fuel capacity can be useful for endurance, but carrying full fuel reduces the payload available for people and baggage.

A current calculation should use the airplane's empty weight, arms, fuel quantity, occupant weights, and baggage stations. The weight and balance calculator is a training aid. It does not replace the approved loading information for the aircraft.

Training notes

The Warrior II gives students a low-wing visual reference, fixed tricycle landing gear, and a four-seat cabin. Those characteristics support a progression from basic control work into cross-country planning without introducing retractable landing gear. The 160 hp engine and the aircraft's loading sensitivity also provide concrete lessons about density altitude, takeoff distance, and climb performance. Schools should teach the assigned aircraft's actual avionics and checklist rather than treating all PA-28s as identical.

Variants

The earlier Warrior and later Warrior III are related but not interchangeable records. Their equipment, handbook revisions, and published figures can differ. Keep a separate MDX record when the variant has a distinct source basis and enough model-specific information to answer a separate reference query.

Sources

This page uses the Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II Pilot's Operating Handbook, Report VB-1180, issued August 13, 1982, with configuration context from FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 2A13. Confirm the applicable revision, serial range, and aircraft records before using any figure.