03/20/2023
I was created between July and August, 1961 at the Piper Aircraft Corporation -Vero Beach, Florida aircraft factory. I am a 1961 Piper PA-28-160, or aka, a “Cherokee 160” I first belonged to Piper and started out in the "Experimental" aircraft category. August 8, 1961, I received my certificate to operate in the experimental category, for "Experimental Research and Development and for obtaining Type Certification."
Since then, I changed hands many times. Ive been in many states across these United States. After Florida, I went to Parkersburg, West Virginia owned by Stewart Aviation Company on 9/11/1961.
After WV, was owned by 2 different owners in Virginia. 1st was Covington Motor Co, of Covington, VA on 1/23/1962 ....then Alleghany Motors Inc. of Covington, VA on 12/4/1962.
Moving on from VA, next I wound up @ Cannon Aircraft Sales & Service of Charlotte, NC on 4/1/1963.
Next I went though various individual owners/companies, in the following places: Bristol, TN - Erwin, TN - Kingsport, TN - Pineville, WV - Davin, WV - Hurricane, WV - Huntington, WV - Milton, WV - Huntington, WV again, -Ironton, OH (twice) - Homosassa Springs, FL - and on 12/11/1989 started life in Decatur, AL. Since then I had a few upgrades but at some point I was forgotten about and left dormant for over 10 years @ DCU. Ive since changed hands in 2023, and have started a new life. I am being restored by my new owner who has been a pilot for almost 30 years. Looking forward to being full airworthy, flying condition again this year! My engine is a Lycoming 0-320-B2B and is s/n: L-4310-39 and is the original engine that I was built with. Im currently awaiting my new registration papers and my engine is being sorted out and I do run but getting fresh rings and honing.
Im hoping to use this platform to find info from 1961 to present from anyone who has ever flown me, owned me, worked on me, etc. to peice together my past and help me to have a complete history of my roots and adventures. So, if you have soloed me, or took lessons in me, or giving instuction using me, or worked on any of my airframe or engine, etc.....please post here, comment, or send email using the action button or by writing to [email protected] Also in the future I may put some flyers out at the locations I used to be based at in hopes of reaching out to those who used to fly or work on N5044W.
My restoration progress will at times be posted here. I look forward to starting my new life after restoration as a true ambassodor of aviation and have many more adventures to come!
-Best,
N5044W
