PA-22/20

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ScudRunner-d95
Posts: 1349
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:08 pm

[url=http://aircraftbuyandsell.ca/aircraft-b ... ape/piper/]http://aircraftbuyandsell.ca/aircraft-b ... ape/piper/[/url]

A gentleman posted this ad on our sister site, looks like an amazing machine. Would love to buy it off him, does anyone have any experience with this type? From what I read seams like a great little performer and interesting about the conversions.

Would the fact that it was modified to a conventional gear restrict it from commercial operation?


Colonel
Posts: 3450
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:31 am

I think between Chuck and I, we have probably
flown all the models of Tri-pacer, Colt and Pacer.

Observations:

1) as long as he has an STC for the conventional
gear mod, and the 24-0045 is signed and mailed
to TC, I think you are golden on that mod.  That
said, be sure and check all the other paper which
is sure to be review for commercial registration -
like all AD's compiled with, back to date of manufacture,
including paperwork documention and physical
inspection of the AD compliance.

2) Cylinders are getting hard to find for O-290 -
a conversion to O-320 is not unusual

3) rag-wing (aka short-wing) pipers have a
surprisingly high wing loading.  They are not
the best short field performers, and rarely
flatter their pilots with greaser landings.

4) look for corrosion in the lower longerons
very carefully.  Look at where the water runs
downhill.

I like them, but I'm weird.
ScudRunner-d95
Posts: 1349
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:08 pm

Card carrying member of the weird club myself  ;)
ScudRunner-d95
Posts: 1349
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:08 pm

Im looking for something inexpensive to operate animal surveys up north with, many of the spring heard work requires skis so my choices are limited. might just pipe dream at the moment but a side gig doing real flying would keep my skills legit. 
Chuck Ellsworth

Great little machines.
Barneydhc82
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:32 pm

I've flown all of the high wing Pipers on this conversion returns the Tri-Pacer to its ancestral configuration.  The original Pacer with the 0-290-D2 was not a bad performer but did have the narrow main gear which was a bit of a handful at times.  It is only a 4 seater in name although with enough paved runway it could cruse at about 130 mph with only the front seats occupied.

As Andy said, the 0-320 was an improvement and they did install the 160 hp version in the Tri-Pacer Caribbean

Barney.
Colonel
Posts: 3450
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:31 am

I had it half-right WRT AD's ...

Wing struts!  Make sure the sealed units
are installed.  Pulling and punch testing
them every 24 months for corrosion is nuts.
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