
SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
1-1.
GENERAL. This manual contains service and maintenance instructions for the PA-28-161 Cadet. This
aircraft is designed and manufactured as a versatile airplane in the personal and business aviation field by the
Piper Aircraft Corporation, Vero Beach, Florida.
1-2. SCOPE OF MANUAL. Sections II and III comprise the service part of this manual, whereas Sections IV
thru XIV comprise the maintenance instructions. The service instructions include ground handling, servicing
and inspection. The maintenance instructions for each system include description, removal, inspection,
installation,corrective maintenance and testing of components along with troubleshooting. Each major system of
the airplane is covered in a separate section. Only qualified personnel should perform the operations described
in this manual.
leading particulars and principal dimensions, while each major system is described in its appropriate section of
the manual. For a more detailed description of the airplane operation, refer to the Pilot's Operating Manual or
Information Manual.
1-3.
DESCRIPTION. The Cadet is a single-engine, low wing monoplane, of all-metal construction, with a
1-4.
WING. The laminar flow wing is of all-metal stressed-skin, full cantilever, tapered, low-wing design.
Each tapered wing panel is bolted to a spar box assembly in the fuselage. The wing tips are made of tough
resilient fiberglass and are easily removed. The ailerons are statically balanced and cable and push rod
controlled. The trailing edge wing flaps are manually operated.
1-5.
EMPENNAGE. The empennage consists of the fin, rudder, stabilator and stabilator trim tabs. The
stabilator and rudder are statically balanced and cable operated.
1-6.
FUSELAGE. The fuselage consists of three basic units: the engine section, the cabin section, and sheet-
metal tail cone.
1-7.
LANDING GEAR. The tricycle landing gear is of the fixed type, consisting of shock absorbing air-oil
type oleo struts.
1-8.
BRAKE SYSTEM. The brake system is hydraulically operated and controlled by a hand lever connected
to a single brake cylinder that operates both wheel brakes, plus individually operated toe brakes.
1-9.
ENGINE. The engine installed in the airplane is a Avco-Lycoming direct drive, wet sump, horizontally
opposed, air cooled model. The four cylinder engine is carburetor equipped. The engine model, rated
horsepower and other related information may be found in Table II-I of Section II.
1-10. PROPELLER. The airplane is equipped with an all-metal fixed pitch propeller. Propeller specifications
may be found in Table II-I of Section II.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-28-161 CADET
AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Issued: FEBRUARY. 28, 1989
I N T R O D U C T I O N
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