FSX AOPA Piper PA-28 Archer

This add-on provides a custom repaint inspired by the 2008 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Sweepstakes giveaway for the Piper PA-28 Archer. It is designed exclusively for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and requires the payware Carenado PA-28 Archer II. Created by developer John Barner, it showcases a classic aesthetic that replicates the distinctive striping and color scheme associated with the real-world aircraft.

Piper PA-28 Archer and Its AOPA Heritage

The Piper PA-28 Archer is an integral part of the Piper Cherokee lineage. Introduced in the mid-1970s, the “Archer” designation gained popularity for its dependable flight characteristics and user-friendly design, making it a prominent choice among flight schools worldwide. The real-life AOPA organizes sweepstakes featuring notable general aviation aircraft each year, and the 2008 event included a customized Archer as a prize. These textures emulate that special livery.

Key Repaint Specifications

• Developed exclusively for the Carenado PA-28 Archer II payware model (not included).
• Inspired by the N208GG design from the 2008 AOPA Sweepstakes.
• Repaint files (textures only) require you to have the base Carenado Archer installed.

Installation Workflow

Below are streamlined steps for integrating the repaint into your simulator environment:

1. Extract pa28arch.zip into a convenient temporary location.
2. Access the Carenado PA28 Archer II folder within your main FSX “Airplanes” directory.
3. Duplicate the existing texture folder (commonly named "texture") and rename this copy to "texture.n208gg".
4. Within the temporary folder, locate the five BMP files. Copy these files and paste them into your new "texture.n208gg" folder, overwriting when prompted.
5. Open the Carenado PA28 Archer II "aircraft.cfg" file. It is highly recommended to back up this file before any edits. Append the following segment at the bottom, adjusting xx to a suitable number sequentially after the last [fltsim.*] entry:

[fltsim.xx]
title=PA-28 Archer N208GG
sim=Archer_Carenado
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=n208gg
kb_checklists=Check_List_Archer
kb_reference=Reference_Archer
atc_id=N208GG
ui_manufacturer="Carenado"
ui_type=Archer II
ui_typerole="Single Engine Prop"
ui_createdby="Carenado"
ui_variation=N208GG
description="The Archer belongs to the PA-28 family (or Cherokee family) of aircraft model. It was born in 1974 when the ?Challenger? was renamed to ?Archer? (PA-28-181). Four seat, single piston engine (180 HP), unpressurized, low wing and tricycle landing gear. It is a direct competitor to the C172."
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=
atc_id_color=0000000000
visual_damage=1
ui_thumbnailfile=thumbnail8.jpg

6. Locate the thumbnail8.jpg image in the temporary folder and place it in the main Carenado PA28 Archer II folder.
7. After these steps, you are ready to load and enjoy your newly enhanced aircraft.

Credits

This freeware repaint is by John Barner. It is neither an official Piper product nor a standalone model. You must own the payware Carenado PA-28 Archer II to utilize these textures.