CF-GPO Cherokee 180 SOLD

PA-28-180 1973 Cherokee Challenger 

4500 TTSN 550 TMOH 

!!! SOLD !!!

Night taxi at Langley

Certified aircraft and IFR equipped.  Inexpensive to own and operate.  Best value for the cost per hour.  VOR, ADF, mode-C, wing leveller, dual com TKM-MX11, audio panel, custom cover, engine blanket, well-maintained, and flown often.  Good time builder or trainer.

Contact William (604) 202-4083 or william.richard.hughes@gmail.com

Over Harrison Lake

The Cherokee Challenger 180 is very good value for someone looking to build time towards a commercial licence or other training.  A new pilot looking to transition to a more capable aircraft will also appreciate the 2450 maximum gross weight, higher speed, and 50 gallons of fuel.  You can carry a lot of weight and go a long way really fast for a Cherokee.

This aircraft has been my regular flyer for the past two years.  It is very strong  with an excellent climb rate even at maximum gross weight.  The 180 hp requires aggressive right rudder in the climb.  It zips right along with an economical 130 mph cruise and the fuel burn rate is usually below 10 gph.

C-FGPO in front of CYNJ tower

It has flown around the lower mainland of Vancouver a great deal.  I have flown it across the Rockies three times with my wife and two children, as well as day trips from Vancouver to Naramata.  I also used this aircraft to train for my night rating.

It sat neglected in Nipawin for several years until I bought it.  During the first annual there were problems with the front oleo, and subsequently the carrier and o-rings had to be replaced in order to address nagging issues.  This has been very stable for a year and half now.

Forward view of the aircraft

During the first year of use the oil consumption was high.  Two cylinders and pistons were replaced and the engine now runs strong and doesn't dribble oil on the underside anymore.

The aircraft has a damage history.  It was imported from the US in the early eighties and used as a trainer.  A student porpoised it in the early nineties which damaged the nose gear, damaged the right wing, and resulted in a prop strike.  The engine was rebuilt, the prop replaced, and the aircraft repaired and repainted.  The work was signed out by a structures AME and AMO in Prince Albert, SK (Elite Aero, Ron Cochrane, AME) for the new owner in Nipawin, SK.

It is equipped for cold-weather flying with an electric pan heater and engine cover.  I also equipped it with a Bruce's Custom Cover to keep the interior warm and dry and the windows clean.

Original interior with custom control lock!

The interior is original and shows its long hours of use.  The ash trays are quite a laugh - times have changed!

Right side of panel

There are no wheel-pants as the aircraft was used as a trainer and for flying in and out of grass strips in Saskatchewan.  I have flown it to bush strips at Little Bear Lake, farm strips near Nipawin, and grass everywhere.  The aircraft's short field performance is outstanding.

Over the Crowsnest Pass in C-FGPO

I have also flown it at maximum gross weight for long cross country flights.  The aircraft was much more stable and had a noticeable tail-heavy flare, but other than that was the same pleasure to fly aircraft.

The aircraft got me my night rating as well as started my instrument training.  I was planning on finishing my rating in this aircraft, but I have recently been able to acquire another old Piper, a PA-24-250, and will be updating and restoring it.  As such, I have to let the Cherokee go to a new home.  

This PA-28-180 is a strong performer and will treat a practical owner who enjoys flying very well, and will provide good value.  It is a much better aircraft than when I found it and a joy to fly. 

Avionics:  VOR with localizer, ADF, mode-C transponder, 4 place audio panel
Radios: Two TKM MX11 COM radios
Other: Century 1 single axis autopilot, EGT
Issues: Post light dimmer and VOR coupler to autopilot are inoperative
Features: Removable rear seats, cargo straps, engine blanket, Bruce's Custom Cover, Narco VOR is really stable, engine is strong, pan heater.

Ready to fly away