I considered a pacer for awhile, and I noted that most of the less expensive PA20s started life as PA22s and were converted...the original PA20s carry a premium for being original, but I found that if the conversion was done right, it shouldn't matter. As a "cheap plane for flying fun"...who cares if it is "original"???
Before you buy any rag and tube aircraft, get some with good knowledge of the type to teach you every thing there is to know about the type.
They are fine airplanes, just a different breed of cat. I have owned two of them, the last one a converted PA-22 with a 160 HP Lycoming in it. Very fun airplane to fly. Quick and nimble. I owned an original 1951 Pacer, 125 HP, never been converted. Low power made little difference in the performance except lower cruise speed. There is a small difference in the fuselage, no hump in the roof over the rear seats in an original PA-20 like the PA-22. Both aircraft were a ball. Both would like to go their own way if even slightly loaded aft. I have heard them described as "ground lovers." I don't listen to that, they just fly a little differently with the short wing. Speed is your friend. That said, base to final was only about 80 and the airplane just found that all by its self. Over the fence at 70 and bleed it back. Very comfy. Bush performance is not quite as good as you might believe due to the fact that they have very small flaps to work with. More HP would be a great addition. Although never manufactured with a 180 HP engine, that conversion is readily available. Hope you find a good one. Not as many around as there once was.
Before you buy any rag and tube aircraft, get some with good knowledge of the type to teach you every thing there is to know about the type.
There are many systems of covering systems. and old steel tubing has its own set of problems.
So get smart before you buy.
If you do intend to do off airport get the 180 horse version. they do a find job.
Ever consider a Maule ?
From the ad: "The plane was kept looking the way it does so that the county would asses it for low property taxes."
The wings have been metaled. that detracts from the value. but it should fly OK.
That 170 is begging to be in the next Indiana Jones movie.
And obviously it's a straight 170, not a 170A. That's a hilarious ad, even for that broker. "All original inside and out" ... "The plane was kept looking the way it does so that the county would asses it for low property taxes."
That aircraft is actually a pretty good deal. If a person of little mechanical skill wanted to do a flying project.And obviously it's a straight 170, not a 170A. That's a hilarious ad, even for that broker. "All original inside and out" ... "The plane was kept looking the way it does so that the county would asses it for low property taxes."
Right !
Did you notice 18k ? did you expect new?
What? The owner also married an ugly fat woman so no one else would want her. It’s a sound strategy.
I just sold my project Pacer, but there is a conversion for a left side pilot door, too... The struts are too much in the way for the kind of photo work my company does, but yours might be fine. I'd want a good tailwheel pilot up front.
