With the flight school market showing signs of life, Piper is having a good year with its popular Archer and at AirVenture 2016 this week, the company says the airplane will be available with a new engine option. Piper is planning to certify the Lycoming IO-360-B4M for the Archer, making it the only GA airplane we know of with three engine choices.
Heretofore, the airplane has sold well with the 180-HP Lycoming O-360-A4M, an engine with a reputation for good service dispatch reliability. With the B4M option, fuel injection will be available for buyers who prefer it for more accurate leaning and, in very hot and cold climates, easier starting. The new model will be called the Archer TX and will join the Archer DX, the Continental diesel model Piper announced in 2014. All new Archers are equipped with Garmin’s G1000 suites. Piper said the first customer for the TX is the University of North Dakota.
