A popular modification to the venerable Piper Tri-Pacer was to convert it back to conventional gear configuration using one of several STCs developed throughout the years.
This modification, typically accomplished during a re-fabric or re-build/restoration (but capable of being done with fabric in place), included removal of the nose gear, adding forward mounting lugs for the Pacer style main gear, adding a tail wheel mounting bracket and toe brakes. A tail wheel assembly and Pacer style main gear rounded out the basic modification.
The attraction of this modification is mostly personal taste, modest performance improvements were demonstrated, improved off-field performance of the conventional gear and the “cool factor” of owning and operating a great Tail Wheel aircraft. When combined with other popular STC’ed mods like big tires, “VGs”, larger engines and props, etc., these converted “Pacers” are real off-field, back country performers.
Piper PA-22/20 Pacer Conversion
Based onTri-Pacer or Colt Airframe modified “back” to Conventional Landing Gear
Tri-Pacer Production: December 1950 through August 1960
Number Built 7629 Price in 1956: $7,295.00
Colt Production: November 1960 through March 1964
Number Built: 1,849 Price in 1960: $5,995.00
Number of PA-22/20 Conversions: 100+
Steel Tube Fuselage – Aluminum Spar & Rib Wing – Fabric Covered
Engine: Lycoming O-290D/D2 – O-320 – O-360
Seats: 4 (2 if Colt) Controls: Yokes – Toe Brakes – Flaps: Yes (No if Colt)
Typical STC: SA45-RM (Light Plane Components) now owned by Univair
| Performance | 125 hp | 135 hp | 150 hp | 160 hp | 180 hp |
| Max Speed | 133 mph | 137 mph | 139 mph | 141 mph | 148 mph |
| Cruise Speed | 123 mph | 132 mph | 132 mph | 134 mph | 140 mph |
| Not to Exceed | 150 mph | 150 mph | 170 mph | 170 mph | 170 mph |
| Stall Speed | 48 mph | 48 mph | 49 mph | 49 mph | 45 mph |
| Rate of Climb | 810 fpm | 850 fpm | 725 | 800 fpm | 1200 fpm + |
| Fuel Capacity | 36 gal | 36 gal | 36 gal | 36 gal | 36 gal |
| Fuel Burn | 7.7 gph | 7.7 gph | 9 gph | 9.5 gph | 10.5 gph |
| Range | 575 sm | 617 sm | 528 sm | 508 sm | 480 sm |
| Gross Weight | 1950 | 1950 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
This PA22/20 description and chart were provided by John Kobbeman – Thank you, John!
