Piper Tri-Pacer

The gear is a little closer together than in most tricycle gear, gaining it an unfair nickname, “the flying milk stool.” Some say its stubby, strut-braced wings and thick-appearing landing gear make it a bit dowdy, like its old-fashioned nickname. But don’t say that to new owner David Tulis, senior photographer for AOPA. He bought his 135-horsepower 1953 Piper Tri-Pacer in Oregon for $40,000 and ferried it alone across 2,000 nautical miles to his home base in Frederick, Maryland. Initially thinking he would buy the cherry red and cream little gem to fly for a while and then sell, he’s changed his mind. “It has become a keeper,” he said. “And I have come to be fascinated with it. It’s a fine flying airplane. It’s not the fastest, but it’s economical. And it’s got four seats.” The Tri-Pacer compares well to the Cessna 172. It has a steel-tube-and-fabric construction fuselage and therefore should live in a hangar to protect against corrosion and sun damage to the fabric. Tri-Pacers came in 125-, 135-, 150-, and 160-horsepower models with an available 180-horsepower after-market conversion. In 1956, Cessna introduced the venerable 172, which out-sold the Tri-Pacer so soundly, production was discontinued in 1960.

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Quick look

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See how the Piper Tri-Pacer measures up:

How much:;According to Vref, suggested retail price for a 1953 Piper Tri-Pacer is $35,000 to $40,000.
Buy it: Want to land short, easily? These short-wing Pipers aren’t known for their excessive glide performance. Reduce power and the aircraft will quickly descend.
Skip it: It’s more cute than pretty, and its speed is careful not daring.
Comparable aircraft: Piper Cherokee 180, Cessna 172