Out of Runway: 1953 Piper PA22
Decades ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see a strip of grass and a solitary wind sock denoting it was a safe area for small planes to land. Nothing else for miles around, except for that guidepost alerting any wayward pilots that safety was ahead. In the case of this 1953 Piper PA-22 “Tri-Pacer,” the farm it flew out of has lost its runway and the plane has been in the hanger for quite some time. Find it here on craigslist with an asking price of $9,000 in Le Sueur, Minnesota.
The PA-22 is said by experts to be fairly easy to fly, even allowing for “hands-off” flight while cruising. Providing four seats and a fairly short profile overall, this example retains sharp colors and registration numbers. The seller says it has not flown for a long time and also mentions that it retains its aircraft-grade “ceconite fabric” and has always been hangered, even after the Piper entered its long slumber.
According to ShortWingPiperClub.com, the PA-22 is powered by a 125/1356 hp Lycoming and “…is a solid 125-130 mph cruiser with the bigger engine that can fly out of a shorter field than many might believe.” Most of the listings for complete, running planes seem to be in the range of $20,000 – $25,000, so this one is quite cheap – but will also likely need at least the difference in price, if not more, to bring it back to air-worthy shape. If only that runway hadn’t disappeared, this Piper might still be in flying form.
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Comments
Flying in a small plane is awesome. Recently, I went “up” with a friend’s cousin, only a bottom wing, and honestly, it kind of sucked, as a passenger. Visibility looking down was severely restricted, but it had been years since I’d flown in a small plane. A lot bumpier than I remember. I’d have to think, going through this would be costly to update, but planes, it seems, are usually reusable, and the one I was in was 1967. I was surprised, our airport doesn’t have any controllers in the building. Everything is done by 2 way communication in the plane now.
Had a friend with one. Made a few dozen short flights with him. Let me take off and land a few times too. Pretty much how I got over the fear of flying.
Flying a plane is pretty simple. It the theory and book work that takes a while.
“Flying a plane is pretty simple.”
Until you attempt to take-off or land in a strong crosswind, or until the wings start icing up, or until you hit a bird, or until a 1,000 other un-anticipated issues crop up. Oh, yeah, it’s real simple.
Yes, and so are parachutes. They are simple to operate. ;-)
Squanto, great comment! Owning, restoring and flying a plane of any kind is a complete different ballgame from owning and restoring a vintage automobile. One important aspect to consider, if the engine quits in a automobile, pull off to the side of the road, find the problem. In an airplane, if the engine quits, you have to find a place to land ASAP! Sometimes this is difficult…. Also, when owning a plane, after so many hours, the engine has to be inspected and eventually rebuilt. Insurance, landing and take off fees, maintenance, storage, fuel, are other costs involving a plane. In addition, the most important aspect, one has to take flying lessons which can be rather expensive. All in all, I will fly commercial airlines and maintain my interest in vintage automobiles.😎
Many fun things in life are either dangerous, expensive or both……so, what is your point. Sex, you can get a life threatening std, driving you can get t boned, Chris Reeves didn’t do too well on horseback…….so, how do you want to die?
If I told you how I wanted to die it is highly unlikely my answer would be published.
Squanto & Dave,, Speaking of legacy’s and dying, you should REALLY read this story.
See: http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18966-a-newsmans-secret.html
Local newspaper tried to keep it a secret and it made international news. It really makes you think. Another guy who was an avid collector of cars and motorcycles knew he was not long for the world,, I was over at his house and lets just say he was a character. We had a frank discussion with another friend there as well. When discussing his inevitable funeral I mentioned Hunter S Thompson who had recently passed. HST had left instructions to be cremated, and loaded into large cannon shells or fireworks, Wanted a big party with lots of drinking and wanted to be blasted as far into the sky as possible, The bigger the explosion the better. When I talked about this my buddy Hal said…”Doug, you are not helping” Mel on the other hand brightened up and said it was a great idea and thats what he wanted. So, “Buy the ticket, take the ride” HST
Wonder what it costs to have it “flight towed”? Other wise the wings have to come off bla bla
Just joking btw…
I got a ride in a twin-engined small plane, and the difference between this and the twin engine, was like the difference between a single and twin motorcycle. You could really feel the power in the twin and so much smoother. I think we cruised at 200mph.
Rag and tube construction. Very easy to work on with full parts support by Univair. However, if the fabric isn’t in good condition, recovering it is a major job. It could cost over 30K assuming everything underneath is in good shape. And I wouldn’t fly a plane that’s been stored “a long time” without having the engine overhauled. That can easily cost 20-30K depending on the condition and hours on it. Recommended tbo is based on calendar time as well as hours in service. This example has an 0-290, which has less parts availability than the more common 0-320. Of course, you can recover it yourself under the supervision of a certified mechanic for a lot less money. If it were mine, I’d convert it to a PA-22/20, which reverts it back to a tail dragger. More fun to fly, and more attractive.
Also would be more expensive to insure as a tail dragger. We have had several Tripacers. This is off course a 135HP version. The tricycle gear makes it very simple to handle on the ground. The short wings have a higher landing speed than something like a cub so can be a test of your skills. Not enough information about the plane to know what kind of a deal it is. There are a lot of disassembled 3 legged stools (Tripacers) around very cheep and if the fabric or engine or both are needy it would be better to start with one of those. We like the later 160 HP version better, but these are a under appreciated good flying 4 (skinny person) airplane. I looked at many last year and settled on a Grumman Tiger to buy my USCG helicopter crewman son. Paid the same as the asking price for this, it is 20 years newer, faster, all metal construction, modern avaionics and radios. With a major annual, a new windshield, battery, tires and misc small stuff…..we are flying a 160 MPH 4 seater for about 20,000. He flies from Humbolt to his in laws in Portland in 2 hrs and 15 gallons of fuel. On the Tri Pacer, you can do your own fabric replacement. There are good weekend seminars if you have never done it but there are always surprises when you get an airplane down that far……..just like an old car.
It depends on how much time you have in taildraggers for the insurance. I have a lot of time in them and had a Cessna 195 (5 seat, radial engine, notorious ground looper) and my insurance with a high hull value was less than a friend was paying for his Grumman. It’s just more fun flying something challenging. After saying that though, I have some time in a PA-22/20 that had a bad tailwheel conversion, and it was nasty on the ground. Always darting. I actually towed gliders in that one for awhile – NOT a good tow plane.
We have a lot of Stinson and Stearman time as well as a ton of D18 time. Once you are off the ground there is no difference flying conventional or tricycle gear and actuarials show that the tricycle gear planes have a much lower loss rate.even in off field operations, our Britan Norman Islander is much safer than our D18……….the 195 is a magnificent airplane only bested by a Howard with. 985.
+1 on the Grumman.
“If” the fabric is in good shape, and “if” the engine has no issues (which it probably does from sitting) and “if” there is no corrosion in the tubing, this “might” be a good deal. Otherwise, as Bret points out, it is going to cost far more than its value. If I were close by I’d go look.
My Father owned a Taylorcraft back in the early 1960’s that he flew out of Harmon-Brizee Airfield, East Rochester NY. My mom would never fly in it and made my dad sell the plane when us kids were born. After that he bought a mail order gyrocopter but mom intervened again and wouldn’t let him buy an engine for it. They were truly part of the greatest generation.
I can’t unsee a picture in my head of “Blondie & Dagwood” now. Awesome family.
I no nothing about planes ,but it is on a farm ,could it have bin a crop dusted ?
Not this one…….wrong kind of plane
There’s a guy out in my neighborhood who sprays with a J-3 Cub. He removed the rear seat and installed the tank in there. Rigged the booms along the wings and went to work. He’s been doing it for over 50 years now but talks like he’s going to put it all to bed soon. He’s almost 80 and finding it more difficult to crawl into the cockpit.
Our old Super Cub was a duster – a PA-18A (for ag). It was a factory option. Hopper where the backseat would have been, single controls. Giveaway to the observer is a flat turtledeck behind the wing, versus a curved one for a regular Cub. I don’t think anyone sprays with one anymore, far too little capacity.
Super cubs are great, classed as utility aircraft and have been modified to countless uses……..however not a short wing Tripacer…..limited power, low and slow is not where you want this airplane.
I’m a musician, I don’t get into small planes.
Don’t sing “La Bamba” or “Peggy Sue” and you should be fine!
After years of asking David Allan Coe flew the Florida coast in my R44 Helicopter.
Helicopter Ed
Did he call you Darlin? Or did he call by your name?
Since you’re flying, you don’t have to worry about a train either!
I couldn’t correct the inverted photo. He calls me Helicopter Ed.
To Mark. Better stay out of bigger planes too…….I think Rickey Nelson died in a DC3……then there the people that died in bus crashes, car crashes and motorcycle crashes…..then boats…….oh my….what to do?
Although this one looks fairly good, it’s going to need a tremendous amount of work to get it air-worthy. A car is nothing like an airplane to bring out of mothballs and if you do the work yourself, you’ll still need to have everything checked off by a certified maintenance engineer. The fabric will need to be removed so the frame can be inspected, then new fabric applied and doped (I can tell you a pretty good story about doping). The engine will no doubt require a major just because of its lack of usage. The radios and instruments will also need a going through. I was a part-owner of a Cessna 172 some years ago and we had to upgrade our radio and navcom equipment. That was a $12K touch by the time we got through it. An airplane can be a lot of fun but it can also be a money pit. Back in the day I learned that a car or motorcycle was a lot easier to land with a ‘dead stick.’ I certainly wouldn’t want to take a chance up in the sky. Now that I’ve turned a lot of people off, I have to say that a Tri-Pacer is a desirable airplane. The tricycle (nose gear) front wheel is an easy unit to control in the take-off and landing roll. I knew a guy who flew a ‘Pacer,’ a tail-dragger, and his was a real challenge, especially in the landing roll. They say that there are (2) types of pilots who fly a tail-dragger: those who have ground-looped and those who are going to.
Took a ride in this bi-plane last year. Open cockpits are a blast!
See that smile on my face? It was there all day!
Taking the wings off that puppy and getting it on a trailer to haul it home is no big deal. If you think hauling an old car home on a trailer gets looks a wingless planes gets lots of stares and pointing fingers. I used to work for a company that retrieved crash damaged aircraft and rebuilt or scrapped if they had been strained thru trees :(
I painted my first plane in a friend’s barn next to the airport and taxied the newly painted wingless plane up US Rt. 11 to my hangar. I let my friend taxi it back as I had enough run-ins with John Law without adding this to my record. I have always regretted not doing it though. I will never forget following the wingless Cessna 150 up the road and seeing the look on the face of the guy flagging roadside work when Jim stuck his arm out the window and signaled a left turn into the airport road.
This could be a real money pit unless you are an A&P and can do it all yourself. Even then a big gamble if the prop hasn’t been turned to keep the engine from getting stuck. Don’t forget mice love airplanes too and will build nests where their urine corrodes metal. The covering maybe OK but if not $$$ too. Probably best thing to do is pull the prop spinner off and put another Tri Pacer behind it :)
A wise man once told me to always rent planes, boats and women. :)
This is a mechanics special, I am a licensed A&P and I wouldnt take it on unless it was free. No mention of paperwork or log books. Thats the first thing you look at. See FARS (Federal Aviation Regulations) part 39, 43 & 65 is what applies to A&P mechanics. There is advisory circulars, Advisory Directives and a host of other issues to get this plane up to spec, let alone a full inspection and overhaul.
I am always trying to talk up saving even the rustiest & crustiest cars and Motorcycles but this one needs everything. Some of these had sodium filled exhaust valves,, you dont want to know what those cost. The props have to be certed and that is a job in itself. (probably cheaper to just replace it)
We had a saying on the flightline for maintenance records. R2.. Or R Squared. Which means Remove & Replace. My supervisor once wrote up in the forms on a Aircraft…. “R square stick actuator.”
Hi Doug, so,,,in a nutshell, you’re saying, unlike semi’s, you don’t just “kick the tires” and go. :)
Doug, great knowledgeable quotes. Although having never owned an airplane, I have been around them in the U.S. Air Force, local airports, air shows and many years attending AirVenture in Oshkosh. People who have ever been around airplanes, do not comprehend the costs, experience needed, and numerous other considerations. Not any where near restoring a truck or automobile…… CJ
Anybody remember the movie “Never Cry Wolf”? Brian Dennehy was great,,,ADVENTURE!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNGyDGRJ2nA
How hard would it be to get back into the air if the logs/papers are missing?
Howard No, no such thing as kick the tires and go,,, except Victor alert birds. (Combat readiness planes already loaded and ready to fly) Those plans are also guarded 24/7 and no one gets near them unless you are properly vetted.
I have some friends who work on or crew emergency services choppers (Life flight & search and rescue) and its just a scaled down version of Alert birds. Any pilot or mechanic knows theres a whole procedure to ready for flight. I have some friends who fly their own birds and I wont say they go bananas doing preflights, But anyone who wants to fly long term is pretty dilligent.
Al, If the papers and logs are missing you are FUBAR, It CAN be done but like I said, I wouldnt touch it unless it was free. FARS is very specific about record keeping and lacking any documentation means you have to recertify EVERY part on it. That means the magneto, the wheels, tires, Engine condition flight controls, instruments,,, every last nut and bolt. If you are not an A&P, then you have to
A) Find someone willing to put their career and reputation on the line
B) Start bringing wheelbarrows full of cash to pay for the time to do so.
That being said,, there is STILL parts of the US where,,, “Badges? We dont need no stinkin’ badges!” People still fly under the radar literally and figuratively. I know a number of people who dont have a pilots license that fly all the time and been doing it for decades. Same as working on their aircraft. But dont get caught. My buddy came back from Iraq and bought a sweet little Biplane from the estate of a family. (He had some issues to work out and buzzing around in a Biplane seemed like a logical thing to do). The old feller who owned the plane was born in the 1920s and had never gotten a pilots license. He built several planes over the years. No licenses. Finally the air park where he was at, knew about this and told him the Airpark was being taken over by the Govt and he had to get legal. He TRIED to take some lessons to get his license.. It didnt work out. Salty dog told the instructor he didnt know his A** from a hole in the ground and that was the end of lessons. Right before the field changed hands he went out and spent the day with his bird, fettled and fussed and took a long flight up the Columbia river gorge, put the bird away, went home and to bed. Next morning he was dead. Fini. I think he was 88 or so… Seems like a good way to go to me.
I know guys like that too……they own there own airstrip and half a dozen planes, none of them (brothers) ever took a lesson or one test from anyone other than there WW2 fighter pilot dad. Never has bothered them…….I have even seen them fly into LAX in the old days. Always amazed me……maby we know the same people.
Yeah Dave, Its a dying breed, but as they say, those who can, Do! So, my grandfather (RIP) died in the early 80s at a ripe old age but never let anything stop him. at 80 yrs old he reroofed his barn, 2 sheds, the garage and his house by himself. My Dad was beyond angry. Grandpa said “I just took my time and used the tractor a lot and blocks and tackle.” It never occured to him that he was too old and frail to be up 3 stories up on the barn. But he quit smoking at 60 as he thought it was starting to affect his health. Meat & Potatoes guy and most nights would sit and watch Lawrence Welk with 3 fingers of ironically “Old Grandad whiskey”. During the Depression he ran crews on a oil patch in Texas, and worked at sawmills up the hills of Vermont and Wisconsin..
But during WW1 he volunteered and was in the Army Air corp, graduated from the prescribed course of study at the school of military Aeronautics at the University of California, Berkely. Sept 28 1918. He went to France and flew 1 mission and next day the war ended. He did not think that was remarkable at all. He DID feel he was very fortunate to not have died of Influenza as more US service members died of the Flu than Combat.
I have his graduation certificate here in my office, as well as his flight wings and US army emblems from his uniform. Same with my Dad, He volunteered in WW2 and flew as radio operator-navigator in C46 and C47s along what is known as the Aluminum highway supplying the Chinese nationalist army during WW2. I have dads flight crew wings as well. So, Grandpa died before I went into the AF, But my dad was very proud that I served in the Air Force and continued the tradition. Albeit I was not a Pilot or aircrew member. But as one of my Marine Corp friends told some lovely young ladies on the beach one fine day.. (Top gun Movie had just came out) The Young ladies walked up and “So you guys are military? Do you fly?” Steve turned to them and said…..”Only on the weekends baby, Only on the weekends!”
PS, Thanks CJ for the kind words!
Doug thaanks for the refresher! I thought that was the problem with lost papers but it’s been a while since dealing with planes. Last thing I dealt with was tanks! LOL Grew up in the days of what I call the golden age of civil aviation with parents that flew and darn near everyone of their friends. Bad thing was I also saw the destruction of B-17s B-25s and others as they were scrapped. Airfield in NJ My Dad flew into now and then was across froma field where they did scrapping. That fields gone now with oh so many others.
Doug, again, great insights and knowledgeable thoughts from a man who knows what the hell he is talking about! CJ
That looks like a good deal, but I know absolutely nothing about small planes. I do know if I flew in one I would want to look “out” and not “up” to see the wings and there would be no such thing as “hands-off” flight while cruising. I sure hope it finds a good home.
Low wing airplanes generally have more stability on the ground and stronger gear. Seeing over the wing isn’t that big a deal one way or another, with a low wing, you just tip it down a bit, you can see anything you want. Flying without hands shows the airplane is rigged and trimmed well……like a car that goes straight down the road.
If you notice there are no low wing birds :)
Good luck in getting information from this seller. He has ignored my request for information.