Got checked out in my club's Archer this weekend, and was surprised that I actually had less field of view than in a 172 or 182. There was only one exception: I could see higher above the horizon through the left window. The brow of the windshield is lower, so there was less to see up and to the front, and the top of the right side window is about where the wing root on the Cessna is. I only get to see more up and to the right if I lean way over.

Since there's so much more dihedral, I can't see straight out to the horizon, and, of course, I can't see much down.

There's lots I like about the Archer (the switches on the brow panel were cool and felt very "piloty"), but ergonomically, I don't dig it as much as the Cessna. It doesn't help that I'm tall and broad.

Try flying a Bo. Order of magnitude better view.

Not even going to start on the other things

I've been flying Cherokees and variants for 18 years and have never had an issue with visibility. Mine has the Hershey Bar wing, so dihedral is not a factor with seeing the horizon. I have flown Archers (but not any made in this century) with the extended wings and don't have a problem with those either. Looking past the leading edge in level flight provides a decent view of the ground, banked it's VU.

Yes, if you're used to looking past the main gear straight to the ground as in a HW ship, I can see how you would note poor visibility there vs LW. One thing to check is the seat height. Some just have blown out cushions. Some have an adjustment so you can raise or lower the seat. I've been in some where I couldn't see over the panel and needed an additional booster cushion. I'm a smidge over 6' and more or less equal torso/legs.

best field of view is a tip up RV, diamond 20/40/42 and I'm sure a few on here could name others

for sightseeing below you, can't beat a high wing, having said that, the piper products have some of the worst visibility of horizon and ground that i've experienced, seating angle and window design

When i think horizon I'm thinking of the dead ahead view. I find Cherokees and the like having a much better forward view.

Out the side, yeah you got a wing there for viewing down below. Which is why I've found that on young eagle flights, give them some steep turns. Improves the view plus gives them some more dynamics of flight. Gets the bugs out and enthusiasm up.

Eric,
The olders archers don't have a switch panel above the windscreen. I guess piper added it to give the archer a facelift. I found that it limits the view quite a bit. I imagine it also adds weight and a bit of complexity too. Progress

That's interesting. Despite it feeling more "piloty," ergonomically I'm not a big fan. All the engine controls should be in the same field of view of the engine instruments.

My last Cherokee time was a long, long time ago in an old 140. I liked the overhead crank for the trim. Was easier to get my hand on than squeezing my arm down between the seats for the new trim wheel on the floor.

I don't like the eyebrow switches because I wear my reading glasses low on my nose (to see over because my distance vision is fine.) No easy way to read switches over the windshield. Bifocals are screwed.

I've noticed the same thing, especially in a Comanche or Aztec. I think Piper made a design choice to have it's aircraft seem "car-like" from the front seats, with more of a "windshield" look rather than a "canopy" look.

FWIW, I sit tall and this plane doesn't have vertical adjustment on the pilot's seat. In a 172 or 182, I crank the seat down all the way and still easily see over the cowling.

An in a Comanche, the front seaters are in front of the wing, thus an excellent view down as well.

Murray

Yep, it's all about field of view. Seriously, we are so vulnerable in these planes as far as see and avoid goes. One might be marginally better than another, but none of them offer much see and avoid opportunity.

Have no issue with my Cherokee, high wing Cessna, do have a better view down. Some of the newer Pipers are far worse. I fail to understand the thinking by Piper on some of the newer aircraft like the later Pa 32 series where they moved the switches from side panel and sub panel over head. Gives you something to bash your head in in turbulence or an accident and limits view, on these same airplanes they moved the glare shield up and aft giving a pillbox view, guess they want you to feel like you are piloting a very slow Cheyenne or Old Lear. Plenty of windshield in front of you, just can not see through much of it.