The PA-22 Tri-Pacer is part of a family of four-place, strut braced, high-wing light aircraft that were built by Piper Aircraft in the post-World War II period. It features a steel tube fuselage and an aluminum frame wing, covered with fabric, much like Piper's most famous aircraft, the Cub and Super Cub. An aircraft prized for its ruggedness, spacious cabin, and, for its time, impressive speed, many Tri-Pacers continue to fly today.
The Tri-Pacer actually began life as a Piper PA-20 Pacer, which was originally designed as a tailwheel aircraft and thus had somewhat limited forward visibility on the ground and more demanding ground-handling characteristics. To help introduce more pilots to easier, safer flying, in 1953 the PA-20 was redesigned and offered as the PA-22 Tri-Pacer with a nosewheel instead of the tailwheel landing gear. Additionally, the Tri-Pacer offered higher-powered engine options in the form of 150 hp and 160 HP engines, whereas the largest engine available to the original Pacer had an output of 135 hp. At the time the tricycle undercarriage became a popular preference and 1953 saw the PA-22 Tri-Pacer outsell the Pacer by a ratio of six to one. Due to the geometry of the nosewheel installation it is sometimes referred as the "Flying Milk Stool".
Physical Specifications:
· Crew: 1 Pilot
· Capacity: 3 Passengers
· Length: 20.6 feet
· Wingspan: 29.3 feet
· Height: 8.3 feet
· Wing Area: 147.5 ft²
· Empty Weight: 1110 lb
· Loaded Weight: 2000 lb
· Useful Load: 890 lb
· Powerplant: Lycoming O-320-B
· Horsepower: 135 hp, 150 hp, or 160 hp
· Propeller: Two-Blade Fixed Pitch
· Wing Loading: 13.51 lb/ft²
· Fuel Capacity: 36 gal
· Fuel Consumption: 8-9 gal/hr (75% power)
· Cabin Width: 40 in
· Cabin Height: 36 in
· Baggage Capacity: 100 lb
· Takeoff Ground Roll: 1100 ft
· Landing Ground Roll: 800 ft
Performance
· Maximum Speed: 123 knots (142 mph)
· Cruise Speed: 113 knots (135 mph) @ 75% power
· Stall Speed: 42 knots (48 mph)
· Range: 435 nmi (75% power w/reserve)
· Service Ceiling: 16,500 feet
· Rate of Climb: 800 ft/min
· Power/Mass: 12.5 lb/hp
