1978 PIPER ARCHER II

General Specs (cont.)

Total Time:13527

Engine 1 Time:1100

Useful Load:999 lb

Condition:Used

Flight Rules:BTH

# of Seats:4

Additional Classifications

Detailed Description

1978 Piper PA-28-181 Archer II - N3016M - Garmin GTN 650, Dual G5s, GTR 225, Stratus ESG ADS-B - Complete Logs Since 1977
N3016M is a well-equipped 1978 Piper Archer II with a modernized Garmin IFR panel, extensive maintenance history, and complete aircraft logbooks dating back to January 1977.
The standout feature of this Archer is its upgraded avionics package. Equipment includes a Garmin GTN 650 GPS/NAV/COM, dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments, Garmin GTR 225 COM, and Stratus ESG ADS-B Out. This provides a significant advantage over many comparable Archers that still have predominantly legacy instrumentation and gives the next owner a capable platform without immediately facing a major avionics upgrade.
Powered by the proven 180 HP Lycoming O-360, the Archer II is known for dependable operation, stable handling, economical ownership, excellent parts availability, and broad maintenance support. Its combination of four seats, fixed landing gear, familiar systems, and predictable flying characteristics has made the PA-28-181 one of the most successful personal and training aircraft ever produced.
N3016M has approximately 13,000 hours total airframe time and has continued to receive regular inspection and maintenance attention. The last annual inspection was completed September 22, 2025, followed by 100-hour inspections on December 11, 2025 and May 22, 2026.
A particularly valuable feature of this aircraft is its documentation. Complete logbooks are available dating back to January 1977, providing prospective buyers with decades of maintenance, inspection, repair, and aircraft-history documentation for review. For buyers evaluating an aircraft of this vintage, a continuous and well-documented maintenance history can be every bit as important as the equipment installed in the panel.
This aircraft offers an attractive combination of a proven Archer airframe, dependable Lycoming power, modern Garmin avionics, ADS-B capability, and extensive historical documentation.
N3016M would be well suited as a personal cross-country aircraft, IFR platform, instrument trainer, flight-school aircraft, or time-building airplane. Buyers looking at less-expensive legacy-panel aircraft should also consider the cost and downtime involved in installing a modern GPS, dual electronic flight instruments, additional COM equipment, ADS-B, and associated panel work. Much of that investment has already been made in N3016M.
The aircraft is being represented as accurately as possible. Prospective buyers are encouraged to review the aircraft, complete logbooks and maintenance records, and arrange an independent pre-buy inspection.
Additional high-resolution photographs, specifications, engine and propeller information, avionics details, maintenance history, and supporting documentation are available at WildWingdomAviation.com.
Serious inquiries welcome.

Avionics / Equipment

MODERN GARMIN IFR PANEL - GTN 650 • DUAL G5s • GTR 225 • STRATUS ESG ADS-B
N3016M features a substantially upgraded Garmin-based panel that brings modern navigation, communication, electronic flight instrumentation, and ADS-B capability to the proven Piper Archer II platform.
AVIONICS & PANEL EQUIPMENT
• Garmin GTN 650 GPS/NAV/COM
Touchscreen GPS navigation combined with integrated NAV and COM capability. The GTN 650 provides modern flight-plan management, moving-map navigation, approaches, and a dramatically improved interface compared with the legacy GPS and NAV equipment commonly found in aircraft of this vintage.
• Dual Garmin G5 Electronic Flight Instruments
Two Garmin G5 electronic flight displays significantly modernize the primary flight-instrument presentation while reducing dependence on the traditional all-mechanical six-pack environment. The G5 platform is widely used throughout general aviation and provides a clean, familiar, modern cockpit presentation.
• Garmin GTR 225 COM
Dedicated Garmin communications radio providing an additional modern COM capability alongside the GTN 650. This gives the pilot a much more capable communications configuration for cross-country, IFR, and training operations.
• Appareo Stratus ESG ADS-B Out Transponder
Integrated ADS-B Out capability for operation in ADS-B-required airspace. The Stratus ESG is a well-established general aviation transponder platform and complements the Garmin avionics package nicely.
• Four-Place Intercom / Audio Capability
Supports communication throughout the four-seat cabin, making the aircraft well suited for personal travel, training, and passengers.
• Traditional Flight Instrumentation Retained Where Applicable
The panel combines modern electronic instrumentation with appropriate conventional instruments, giving pilots a familiar cockpit while benefiting from substantial avionics modernization.
A PANEL YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
One of the biggest advantages of N3016M is that a substantial amount of the avionics modernization work has already been completed.
Many comparable 1970s-era Archers are still equipped with older NAV/COM radios, legacy GPS units, vacuum-driven instruments, and dated panel layouts. Buyers of those aircraft may immediately begin planning expensive avionics upgrades, installation work, aircraft downtime, and panel modifications.
N3016M already offers:
GTN 650 touchscreen GPS/NAV/COM
Dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments
Dedicated Garmin GTR 225 COM
Stratus ESG ADS-B Out
Modern electronic primary flight instrumentation
IFR-capable GPS navigation equipment
Four-place communications capability
That makes this aircraft especially attractive to a buyer looking for an Archer that can be flown and enjoyed without starting with a major panel modernization project.
BUILT FOR REAL-WORLD FLYING
This avionics configuration makes N3016M a compelling platform for:
• Personal and business cross-country flying
• IFR flying and instrument proficiency
• Instrument training
• Primary and advanced flight training
• Time building
• Weekend and recreational travel
The GTN 650 provides the centerpiece of the navigation system, while the dual G5 electronic instruments bring the flight deck into a much more modern era. The additional GTR 225 provides dedicated communications capability, and the Stratus ESG provides ADS-B compliance.
The result is a cockpit that retains the simplicity and familiarity of the Archer while providing the technology pilots expect in a modern traveling and training aircraft.
WHY THIS PANEL MATTERS
When comparing Archer IIs, the purchase price alone does not tell the entire story. A lower-priced aircraft equipped primarily with legacy avionics can require significant additional investment to reach this level of capability.
N3016M gives the next owner the benefit of a GTN-series navigator, dual electronic flight instruments, modern Garmin communications equipment, and ADS-B capability already installed.
For the buyer looking for a proven Piper Archer with a significantly upgraded cockpit, N3016M deserves a serious look.
Additional panel photographs, aircraft specifications, maintenance information, logbook history, and aircraft details are available at WildWingdomAviation.com.

Airframe

1978 Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N3016M, with approximately 13,000 hours total time. Proven four-place, all-metal airframe with fixed landing gear and the stable, predictable handling the Archer is known for. Complete logbooks and maintenance records are available dating back to January 1977, providing an exceptionally well-documented aircraft history. Last annual inspection completed September 22, 2025, with subsequent 100-hour inspections completed December 11, 2025 and May 22, 2026. Current weight-and-balance documentation is available. The Archer II remains highly regarded for economical operation, strong parts availability, broad maintenance support, and versatility for personal travel, IFR flying, training, and time building. Additional records, specifications, and photographs are available at WildWingdomAviation.com.

Engines / Mods / Prop

LYCOMING O-360-A4M • 180 HP • 1,100.6 SMOH
N3016M is powered by the proven Lycoming O-360-A4M, a normally aspirated, four-cylinder, 180 HP engine that has become one of the most recognized and widely supported powerplants in general aviation.
Engine Time: 1,100.6 SMOH
The O-360 is a major reason the Archer II remains such a desirable ownership platform. Its straightforward design, broad parts availability, extensive mechanic familiarity, and strong service history make it an excellent match for personal flying, cross-country travel, training, and time-building operations.
The aircraft is equipped with a two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, providing the simplicity and lower maintenance requirements associated with the standard Archer configuration. Propeller time and supporting maintenance documentation are available in the aircraft records.
N3016M has an unusually well-documented maintenance history, with complete logbooks dating back to January 1977. Engine, propeller, inspection, maintenance, repair, and aircraft history can be reviewed as part of the complete aircraft records.
The last annual inspection was completed September 22, 2025, followed by 100-hour inspections on December 11, 2025 and May 22, 2026.
The aircraft has also benefited from substantial modernization, including the upgraded Garmin IFR panel described elsewhere in this listing.
For buyers looking for an Archer, the combination of 180 HP Lycoming power, simple fixed-pitch propeller operation, extensive maintenance documentation, and modern avionics makes N3016M a compelling aircraft to consider.
Complete engine and aircraft logbooks are available for review by serious prospective buyers. Independent pre-buy inspections are welcome.

Interior / Exterior

CLEAN FOUR-PLACE CABIN • CLASSIC ARCHER APPEARANCE • WELL-PRESENTED AIRCRAFT
N3016M features a clean, functional four-place interior with pilot, copilot, and two rear passenger seats. The cabin presents well for an aircraft of this vintage and offers the practical layout that has made the Archer II such a popular personal, training, and cross-country aircraft.
The Archer cabin provides good visibility, straightforward entry and exit, useful passenger space, and a comfortable environment for local flying or longer trips. The interior shows normal wear consistent with age and use and is presented honestly for prospective buyers.
The exterior retains the classic Archer appearance and presents well overall, with an attractive paint scheme and normal cosmetic wear consistent with an actively flown 1978 aircraft.
Numerous high-resolution exterior, interior, panel, cabin, and detail photographs are available at WildWingdomAviation.com, allowing prospective buyers to get a much better look at the aircraft before traveling for an inspection.
N3016M is being represented as accurately and transparently as possible. Buyers are encouraged to inspect the aircraft personally, review the complete logbooks and maintenance records, and arrange an independent pre-buy inspection with the mechanic or facility of their choice.
Additional photos, specifications, maintenance history, avionics details, and supporting documentation are available at WildWingdomAviation.com.

Remarks

N3016M represents an opportunity to own a proven Piper Archer II with the combination buyers want: modern Garmin avionics, dependable 180 HP Lycoming power, extensive maintenance documentation, and the versatility that has made the PA-28-181 one of general aviation's most popular four-place aircraft.
This is not a typical 1970s Archer still flying behind an entirely legacy panel. N3016M has benefited from significant avionics modernization, including a Garmin GTN 650 GPS/NAV/COM, dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments, Garmin GTR 225 COM, and Appareo Stratus ESG ADS-B Out. For a buyer comparing aircraft, that means much of the expensive and time-consuming panel modernization work has already been completed.
The result is an Archer that combines the simplicity and familiarity of the classic PA-28 platform with the navigation, communication, electronic instrumentation, and ADS-B capability expected in a modern traveling and training aircraft.
COMPLETE LOGBOOK HISTORY
One of N3016M's strongest attributes is its documentation. Complete logbooks and maintenance records are available dating back to January 1977, providing nearly the entire documented history of the aircraft for buyer review.
For an aircraft of this vintage, complete records are extremely important. Prospective buyers can review decades of inspections, maintenance, component history, repairs, upgrades, and aircraft activity rather than trying to reconstruct a history from incomplete records.
The last annual inspection was completed September 22, 2025, followed by 100-hour inspections on December 11, 2025 and May 22, 2026. The aircraft has continued to receive regular inspection and maintenance attention. Complete records are available for review by serious prospective buyers.
A PROVEN AND VERSATILE PLATFORM
The Piper Archer II earned its reputation by doing many things very well. With four seats, fixed landing gear, straightforward systems, 180 HP Lycoming power, excellent parts availability, and broad maintenance support, the Archer continues to be an outstanding choice for a wide range of missions.
N3016M would be an excellent candidate for:
• Personal and family travel
• Cross-country flying
• IFR and instrument proficiency flying
• Instrument training
• Primary and advanced flight training
• Time building
• Flight-school or club operation
• A pilot stepping up from a basic trainer into a capable traveling aircraft
The Archer's predictable handling characteristics and familiar systems make it approachable for newer pilots while remaining useful enough to serve an experienced owner for years.
THE AVIONICS MATTER
When comparing older aircraft, purchase price is only part of the equation.
A seemingly less-expensive Archer equipped with older radios, legacy navigation equipment, and traditional flight instruments may require substantial additional investment in avionics, installation labor, panel modifications, downtime, and certification before reaching a comparable level of capability.
With N3016M, a substantial portion of that investment has already been made.
GTN 650 • DUAL GARMIN G5s • GTR 225 • STRATUS ESG ADS-B
That equipment makes this aircraft especially worthy of consideration for a buyer who wants to spend more time flying the airplane instead of rebuilding the panel.
BUY WITH INFORMATION
We believe aircraft should be represented accurately and transparently. Prospective buyers are encouraged to examine the aircraft, review the complete logbooks and maintenance records, and arrange an independent pre-buy inspection with the mechanic or facility of their choice.
We are happy to provide additional information to serious buyers and assist in making records available for review.
Extensive photographs, detailed aircraft specifications, avionics information, maintenance history, and additional documentation are available at:
WildWingdomAviation.com