Piper PA-20/22 Pacer/Tri-Pacer/Caribbean/Colt

  • CountryUnited States of America
  • TypeTwo and four seat light aircraft
  • PowerplantsPA-22-108 Colt - One 80kW (108hp) Lycoming O-235-C1B flat four piston engine driving a two blade fixed pitch propeller. PA-22-150 Caribbean - One 112kW (150hp) Lycoming O-320-A2B. PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer - One 119kW (160hp) Lycoming O-320-B
  • PerformancePA-22-108 - Max speed 193km/h (104kt), max cruising speed 173km/h (93kt). Initial rate of climb 610ft/min. Service ceiling 12,000ft. Max range with no reserves 1110km (600nm). PA-22-150 - Max speed 224km/h (121kt), max cruising speed 212km/h (114kt). Initial rate of climb 725ft/min. Service ceiling 15,000ft. Range with standard fuel and no reserves 850km (460nm). PA-22-160 - Max speed 227km/h (123kt), max cruising speed 216km/h (117kt). Initial rate of climb 800ft/min. Service ceiling 16,500ft. Range with standard fuel and no reserves 862km (465nm), with optional fuel 1054km (569nm).
  • WeightsPA-22-108 - Empty 447kg (985lb), max takeoff 748kg (1650lb). PA-22-150 - Empty 499kg (1100lb), max takeoff 907kg (2000lb). PA-22-160 - Empty 503kg (1110lb), max takeoff 907kg (2000lb)
  • DimentionsPA-22-108 - Wing span 9.14m (30ft 0in), length 6.10m (20ft 0in), height 1.91m (6ft 3in). Wing area 13.66m2 (147sq ft). PA-22-150 - Wing span 8.93m (29ft 4in), length 6.28m (20ft 7in), height 2.53m (8ft 4in). Wing area 13.7m2 (147.5sq ft). PA-22-160 - same as PA-22-150.
  • CapacityPacer and Tri-Pacers (including Caribbean) typically seat four, while the Colt seats two side by side. Seaplane versions of the Tri-Pacer could seat three.
  • ProductionTotal PA-22 production of 9490 comprising 7641 Tri-Pacers and Caribbeans and 1849 Colts, while 1120 PA-20 Pacers were built.

The Pacer and Tri-Pacer plans were Piper's volume offering four seaters from 1949 through to the presentation of the Comanche and Cherokee in the early 1960s, while the Colt was a two seat preparing subsidiary of the Tri-Pacer.

The first tail dragger PA-20 Pacer was presented in 1949 close by the two seat PA-18 Super Cub, and the model was controlled by a 85kw (115hp) Lycoming O-235-C1 motor. The creation flying machine had a 93kw (125hp) Lycoming O-290-D motor, and were accessible with a wooden altered pitch propeller as the '125', and with a metal controllable pitch propeller as the '135'. In 1950 the PA-20 was additionally accessible with the 85kw (115hp) Lycoming O-235-C1 motor as the PA-20-115. The flying machine could be outfitted with buoys as the PA-20s. From 1952 the Pacer was controlled by a 100kw (135hp) O-290-D2 motor as the PA-20-135. Creation finished in 1954.

The tricycle undercarriage PA-22 Tri-Pacer at first enlarged from 1950 the Pacer in creation, controlled by a 93kw (125hp) Lycoming O-290-D for 1951 and 1952, accessible with the same propeller choices as the PA-20. From 1952 to 1954 the Tri-Pacer was fueled by a 100kw (135hp) O-290-D2 motor, and in 1955 picked up a 110kw (150hp) O-320-A2b motor and a higher takeoff weight, and a 120kw (160hp) O-320-B from 1958. For 1959 and 1960 Piper offered a lower spec less extravagant rendition of the Tri-Pacer as the PA-22-150 Caribbean.

The two seat PA-22-108 Colt was determined from the Tri-Pacer however had a less effective 85kw (108hp) motor, lower greatest takeoff weight, no back lodge windows, the evacuation of a back entryway and less fuel limit, yet generally the two airframes were indistinguishable. Flute player acquainted the Colt with its lineup in late 1960, and the sort stayed in generation for a little more than two years until the two seat Cherokee could be presented. Colt generation stopped in 1964 after very nearly 2000 had been constructed.

Various PA-22s have been changed over to PA-20 tailwheel design, for which a change unit was offered via Univair.

The Tri-Pacer and Colt were Piper's just high wing tricycle undercarriage air ship, and the toward the end in generation to peculiarity metal tubing and fabric blanket development.

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