Piper Tri-Pacer - The Ultimate Affordable Plane

I messed up and somehow called the Tri-Pacer the wrong model. The Tri-Pacer is a PA-22, not a PA-20 as I said in the video. I don't know what I was thinking. Thank you for watching!

The first airplane I had ever flown on. In 1972 at age 5½. I'll never forget 😊

My first plane was a Tri-Pacer I bought in 1975 with only 14 hrs of flying time. I had so much fun in that plane with a few scares that taught me lessons that kept me safe

Most of the haters have never flown one. Put most of my time in one, and yea, throw a rock out where you chop it and that's where you land, but it also means it goes where you fly it. As a young pilot, I always was trying to fly it smooth, all relaxed and working toward that grease landing. I got my eyes opened real quick when dad and I came across the road landing at our farm, yea, I was already anticipating the grease, and the wind tunnel upset the hell out of her. Dad had to have been anticipating my screw up, because in a split second he rammed the throttle, added aileron and rudder and set her down dead in the middle with just a bot of a bump. I will never forget him looking at me and saying " you fly it to the ground ". God I wish we still had her.......

When I was 19, (I’m nearly 63 now) I owned a Colt, PA-22-108. 108 hp, 2 seat Tri-Pace with no flaps and the back windows were painted on. I remember I bought it for $4,800.00. I actually flew it more after I sold it than I did when I owned it. It was a great airplane.

I just bought a 1955 Tri with my dad! We love it!

Have had one for thirty years. I love it. Been all over the country. And since I live in Wisconsin, Oshkosh is a local fly in. Flew it to every one since 1992 except 2001 and 1999. I even landed in 2020, just because.

I was giving myself a headache trying to find a decent airplane that wouldn't bankrupt me until a PA-22-150 popped up at my local airport. A lot more capable than a Cessna 150 and cheaper than most of them! Something I learned during the pre-buy: if you're starting one up for the first time and are confused about where the master and starter switches are, check under the left seat! 😉

I owned and flew a 1960 PA22 150 for 10 years until 2014, a fantastic lifetime experience.

Most of my friends that have owned Tri-Pacers, have been very careful about observing "Weight and Balance" restrictions. And four, full grown Adults are a bit much to load. But Mom, Dad and two kids works out just fine! Cruise speeds vary according to the engine installed. The 150 or 160 hp versions can cruise at up to 135 mph. To cut noise and extend range, most cruise at 125 or even 120. Happy Flying!

Flew one out of Yomitan air base on Okinawa in 1967. It was limited to 3 passengers due to its age. It was a “Power Plane” that has the gliding angle of a brick with no power.

My first airplane was a PA-22-150 twenty five or more years ago. It was a great introduction to aircraft ownership. In fact I still have it, but it is disassembled in my boathouse. It was a fine flying little plane with two things I really didn't like, the single lever (Johnson Bar) brakes and its lack of performance in mountain flying. Neither were game enders, but both required awareness and planing.

The Tri Pacer is a wonderful airplane! I flew one round trip from Fayetteville, North Carolina, (Ft. Bragg), to E. St. Louis and return in 1962 when I was 19 years old. Great trip.

I loved your video because you are completely right about prices going up in a crazy way. Looks like only the very rich will be capable to own a four seater or so. Last week I was browsing "just in case" I could/would buy a 172 Cessna and I got aback about prices. In fact 182 is cheaper. Surprisingly, 150/152 prices are also sky rocketing. I think this option you're presenting now is great. I owned an Aeronca Champion around 19 years ago and believe me, was a wonder so much that I didn't face up a trouble to wash it away from my hands. An all fabric airplane, slow and underpowered but a nice one to fly. Looks like the tripacer is the same kind of airplane but a bit faster, though I like much more the pacer. Thank you for sharing this interesting video of yours. Definitively, I'm subscribing your channel. Greetings from Mexico.

I loved ours. 1957 pa22 150. Somewhere about 1750-1800 tt. That was 1993-95 as I recall. Best of all the aircraft I've ever flown. Gave 12k flew couple 3 yrs and it's still flying somewhere south of here last I checked. Fast fun, short field, sinks like a rock but a treat to fly. Miss it and flying.

I fly the heck out of my TriPacer bought Jan of '20 and have about 200 hours in it. Love the plane and was at Oshkosh with it this year. I have a the trip on my channel and it's a great plane to train in. My GF got her PPL in July in my plane. Great video. Just subbed to your channel nice vids. Thanks for sharing.

I've never seen a Tri-pacer in my country, but I do have time on a Colt, and I loved it. The side slips were out of this world. I loved my Mooney time too, but found it hard to drain condensation out of the tanks in a dirt field in rain and still look presentable for the flight ...

I flew one from Miami to Panama (the long way) It’s a great plane Even landed off airports and in bad weather on the Pan American highway and on a mountain road in 1964 lol

Tri Pacers are awesome aircraft! I’ve flown many in the sixties and seventies. Fabric is not what to worry about. Check the tubing on bottom sides!

Good video. I have a lot of time in those models including the first Tri Pacer you showed KTF. Great airplane Danny