The Piper 28 Dakota, also known as the Pathfinder, is a four-seat, single-engine, light airplane manufactured by Piper Aircraft, Inc. The aircraft was designed as an economical, yet reliable means of personal transportation and, as such, is a popular choice for private pilots.

The Piper 28 Dakota was first introduced in 1976, and was designed as a replacement for the earlier Piper Cherokee line of aircraft. The most notable improvement was the use of a larger, more powerful engine, the Lycoming IO-360-C1C6, which produced 200 horsepower. This engine allowed for greater performance and range than the 140-horsepower engine found in the Cherokee. Additionally, the Piper 28 included modern navigation and communication systems, such as VHF and ADF radios, as well as an IFR-certified autopilot.

The Piper 28 Dakota has become a popular aircraft for private pilots due to its low operating costs, comfortable cabin, and good performance. The aircraft is used for a variety of purposes, including business travel, personal transportation, and aerial photography. The aircraft is also utilized by a number of flight schools and is certified for instrument flight.

Despite its popularity, the Piper 28 Dakota has had its share of safety issues over the years. In 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an airworthiness directive regarding the aircraft’s airframe, which resulted in a number of safety upgrades. Additionally, the aircraft has been involved in a number of accidents due to pilot error, such as failure to maintain proper airspeed and altitude.

Despite its safety issues, the Piper 28 Dakota has been an important aircraft in the history of aviation. The aircraft has benefitted from a number of innovations, such as the use of a more powerful engine, modern navigation and communication systems, and an IFR-certified autopilot. Additionally, the aircraft’s relatively low operating costs and comfortable cabin make it an attractive option for private pilots.

The Piper 28 Dakota is a relatively common aircraft, with more than 700 aircraft registered in the United States as of 2020. Additionally, the aircraft is used in a number of countries around the world, making it a popular choice for private pilots.

Overall, the Piper 28 Dakota is an important aircraft in the history of aviation. Its innovations make it a popular choice for private pilots, while its safety issues have required the FAA to issue a number of airworthiness directives. Despite this, the aircraft remains a popular choice for private pilots due to its low operating costs and comfortable cabin.