Anyone have any real-world experience with a Cherokee 235? Specifically, looking for info on real-world cruise speed, fuel burn, big maintenance issues, handling/performance at gross weight, etc. Considering one to compliment a flying club Debonair.

Our Dakota was good for 147 KTAS on about 13.5 GPH. That was 7000 to 12000 somewhere near peak EGT. Jeanné may have a better memory on the performance. I think a 235 will be a few knots slower, all else being equal.

Hello Brad,

I can't give you much, since it has been a while since I have flown a 235. I remember that they are solid airplanes and fly well. It is a simple cherokee PA-28 frame with a big engine in it. I always remember them as popular aircraft in a flying club.

Because they are simple to fly and simple to maintain, it should be a great addiiton to any flying club.

I hope this helps.

They are great planes-huge useful loads,no cg issues.
I'm thinking 142-147 kts
I had a Dakota also before I got to fly friend's Bonanza
After that flight,the Dakota was sold

Kinda like a low-wing 182.

235s/Dakotas are as solid as you get. Fantastic load haulers with really very decent speeds (140ish).

Their short field capability isn't quite on par with the 182, but otherwise an equal in every other respect. 235s may or may not have constant speed props.

O-540s are great engines, but I believe some have the dual mag setup, so regular IRANs would be a must-have.

Dakotas have the tapered wing, which has a slightly better glide, IMHO, but other than that, the two are basically the same.

Two service bulletins that are must haves. 1006 which involves pulling the fuel tanks and checking for spar corrosion (about 100 screws and sliding them foward), and also cleans up the rubber fuel venting. The other, the number of which escapes me, checks the aft spar attach points for corrosion.

Like any good performers, updated "best of breed" examples are rare, command premium prices and don't last long on the market. Updated Dakotas are virtually impossible to find, and seemed to be passed down through owners through some kind of arcane system.

Best,
Rich

Chad, You flatter me! Remember the numbers on a plane I flew a couple of years ago? I am lucky to know the performance of the three planes I flew today! (And one was a Cherokee but not a 235!)

I used to be a member of an aero club that has a 1969 PA-28-235. It had all the wheel paints, and was good for about 134 knots and 12-13 GPH. Like Arlen said, its a low-wing 182.

Pa 28-235 Challenger is what they were called
Hershey bar wing

Pa28-236 Dakota is much faster, then there is the PA28-238T same engine as the PA28R-201T ( CONTINETAL TURBO )

I have the original dies to make the seals for all the models, even the PA31P Mojave

GB

I owned a Dakota up until 2010, flew it five years, 500 hours. Solid platform, easy to fly. Huge payload, if you could get it in, you good fly and be under gross. As for speed realistically, high 130's kts, fuel burn was higher than previous posts. More like 15-16 to get those speeds. Maintenance wise, a lot more Fiberglass and plastic than the Beech products. Thus, more upkeep in these areas. Engine is bullet proof. It the engine excessories that can be a problem; alternator, heater box... Otherwise a great aircraft for the family. True 4 seat capacity.