Archer II vs. Archer III fuel burn rates - why different?

Taking a look at the Archer II vs Archer III POHs (I own a II), I noticed that the best economy fuel burn rates listed are quite different, and they're quite a bit higher for the Archer III.

Here are the numbers:

% power Archer II Archer III

55 6.3 8.2

65 7.6 9.5

75 8.8 11.0


The Archer III manual doesn't list best power fuel burn, but all the best economy numbers for it are even higher than the best power rates for the Archer II.

Does anyone here know why these numbers would be so different? The two models (which are both PA28-181s) have the same engine, the props are virtually the same (only difference is space length), similar power setting chart numbers, and the cruise mixture adjustment procedures are virtually identical.

Thanks in advance for any info that might be useful in figuring this out. In the meantime, I'm tempted to use the Archer III burn rates for safety's sake!

Comments

  • Very observant of you. I'm thinking that this is going to make for a very interesting discussion today. Thanks for posting this. :)

    Scott Sherer
    Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
    Aviation Director, Piper Owner Society Forum Moderator and Pipers Author.

    Need help? Let me know!

  • edited June 2022

    Tshugart3;

    [Major edit of my response]:

    Just re-read your original post.

    Good question. A 180 hp engine is a 180 hp engine, and it has no knowledge of the airframe attached behind it. Here are a few things to check.

    Are both charts from Piper POH's (you mentioned you had a II)? I've found discrepancies from one website source to another even for the same model, so if both sets of numbers are actual Piper POH's, we can compare apples to apples. If not, you may be comparing a POH to a non-authoritative source.

    Make sure both charts are comparing burn rates at the same altitudes.

    There may be slight differences if carbureted vs injected, but with the same fixed pitch propeller, a static power setting and identical altitudes, the fuel burn should be very similar.

    Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
    PA28 - 161
    Chicago area

  • I would refer to the Lycoming guide for the engines. They usually publish an engine guide with operating points and % power/fuel for all of the engine models. See some details below. The IO-360C1C and C1C6 are same compression ratio and only differ by counterwights (from below)

    Looks like the lycoming data table is more consistent with the Archer III

    Eric Panning
    1981 Seneca III
    Hillsboro, OR (KHIO)

  • The Archer III is fuel injected.

    I own and fly a 79 PA32RT-300T. Previous aircraft are a 79 Archer and 76 Arrow.

  • Appreciate the feedback, but the chart above is for the IO-360 (a 200 HP engine), not the O-360.

    According to the POH, the Archer III has the same carbureted O-360-A4M as the II.


  • Which model year Archer are you asking about? Archer IIIs we’re sold with injected engines.

    I own and fly a 79 PA32RT-300T. Previous aircraft are a 79 Archer and 76 Arrow.

  • edited June 2022

    I was also curious about fuel delivery method as a possible difference and decided to do a crude survey of the FAA registry based on each generation. Both the Archer II and III came back with some version of the O-360 (not IO-360) although not exactly the same model number. Granted, the sample size was super low, so take that for what it is worth.


    Agree with Eric that the Lycoming specs for the engine model (not just a generic O-360) should prove a better source. So with that, what is Lycoming showing for each engine model and do the charts agree with the planes' POH?


    One tangible difference I noticed on the II vs III was cowling design. But not sure how that would effect burn rate based on percent power setting. If anything, it would effect range by way of a different parasitic drag.

  • I retract it all. My dinosaur head had Arrow in my brain and Archer in my mouth. The new PA28s do have IO engines, but they are not Designated Archer IIIs or Archer IV.

    I own and fly a 79 PA32RT-300T. Previous aircraft are a 79 Archer and 76 Arrow.

  • Yeah, me too! Archer vs Arrow

    Here is some info on the O-360-A4M. The Archer III info is correct and I would fly the Archer III values. You can cross check against EGT's.

    Eric


    Eric Panning
    1981 Seneca III
    Hillsboro, OR (KHIO)

  • I'm a little late to this game but I didn't see anyone answer the question. I have flown a lot in a Warrior and an Archer II. For the past couple years I've owned an Archer III. The biggest factor to its higher GPH, I believe, is the AC which is standard on the Archer III. As stated in the POH: When the air conditioner is turned off there is normally no measurable difference in climb, cruise or range performance of the airplane. I don't buy it. We're talking at least 65lbs of weight; evaporator, condenser, compressor, blower, switches and temperature controls. Plus, even unloaded the compressor must be consuming power to turn. I'm about to remove the AC which I use once or twice per year. I'll gain an hour of fuel (in useful load).

  • edited January 9

    While not disagreeing, am not completely sold either.

    Unless I am missing something, the original question is focusing on burn rate per power setting, and total fuel consumption is outside of this question's scope.

    To the tangent of A/C. When Off, agree that the A/C is pretty much dead weight no different than taking a child or pet of the same weight. Am not recalling anybody translating a notable difference in fuel burn based on that amount of weight. Will admit that the total fuel consumption should come in a tad bit higher as compared to flying without that weight as the time of getting to cruise altitude is a bit longer and the pilot is likely to apply a little more power to maintain a desired cruise speed, but the burn rates based on power settings will not care about weight.

    Toward the compressor pulley consuming power when Off, it will, but the parasitic drag is nominal and no different than a tensioner / idler pulley on a car engine. Truly would surprise me if the parasitic drag of the pulley alone will translate to something above 0.001 gph. Put another way, when the A/C is Off, the wheel simply spins and the compressor remains still (does not rotate).

    Definitely agree that removing the A/C will recapture useful load. Might also help with cruise speed if it shifts the CG aft a bit. But still do not see how this effects burn rate per power setting.

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