How I bought a museum restored Tri-Pacer and ferried it home

AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis takes us along on his recent purchase of a 1953 Piper Tri-Pacer, flown from Hood River, Oregon, all the way across the country to Frederick, Maryland.

Connect with us on social media!




*This offer is only valid for first-time members and is limited to one AOPA Trial Membership. You must reside in the U.S. AOPA Trial Membership is available free for 3-months, a credit card and enrollment in automatic annual renewal is required at sign up and you will be charged for a full year of membership at $89 once your trial expires. 100% no risk trial – cancel at any time before the end of your trial to prevent charges.

[pauldarconte]

Good to see you and hear your voice again Dave. P

[Northerngulf]

I have a friend, a pecan farmer in Baldwin County Alabama, that has a Tri-Pacer, and he pruned his pecan trees down the middle of the orchard east/west and north/south enough to use for runways. I flew with him several times, and he let me (a low hour private pilot) fly it out and back. What a feeling it was, and he said more than once, people called the police to say they saw a plane go down in a pecan grove. I'm sure my friend has aged out of flying by now, but many memories were made in that plane.

[hwalter]

YEP! Either the lights or the radio, pick one! Hah! so true, have a Stinson, made mistake of turning everything on so I would be "safe" lesson learned! Good video, and congrats!

[pi.actual]

When I was about 12 years old I read a book written by Jules Bergman called "Anyone Can Fly" where he told his story of getting a plot's license in a Piper Tri-Pacer. I was enraptured but I had to wait 3 more years until the summer of 1969 when I turned 15, got a student license and started my own adventure of learning how to fly in a J3 Cub. Fast forward 54 years and I'm still doing it. 😀

[MSchwartzNWV]

Congratulations and beautiful short wing! Your tire flat is the reason I took the wheel pants off my Colt. Had a tire start showing threads and barely caught it. Good luck with your new bird. Switch to LED lights to help on blowing the fuse. it won't fix it completely but gives you some margin.

[georgerothfuss]

I learned the basics of aircraft when I was about 10 years watching my Dad, completely rebuild a 1940 Porterfield CP65 (low and slow tail dragger), when I was about 14 he started teaching me how to fly, before I was 16 I had my student flying license, as time went on I put so many hours on that bird It felt like an appendage, years later I bought a 150 HP Tri-Pacer converted to the tailwheel. I flew that thing all over the midwest and made a pilgrimage to Airventure to be one of the ten thousand airplanes at the show, but what was most impressive was flying from southern Michigan to Southern Florida in a Day and of course, the Sun and Fun fly in. That Piper really opened up my world, but sometimes it came close to ending my world.

[DFuzzy]

I just had to watch this video when I saw the title and picture of the Tri-Pacer, brought back some distant memories. I learned to fly while in high school in Rexburg, ID in 1964. My father was a pilot in WWII, C47's, and joined the local flying club which had an old straight tail C172 and a 1946 C140. Short story, my dad got tired of me pestering him to take me flying and told me to get my license. The FBO at that time had a Piper Colt (PA22-108) which was a two place version of the four seat Tri-Pacer, but had no flaps. The plane rented for $12/hr, wet, Hobbs. Dual was just $3 more. A local farmer was my instructor, obviously teaching at $3/hr was not his source of income. He let me loose on my first solo with a little over 4 hours. I passed my PP check ride a couple of months before I graduated high school, 1965. I loved that little plane! With a field elevation or 4858' and only 3000 feet of runway (at that time), it was not a great performer, but flown with care and consideration it was safe and fun.

[klesmer]

My very first light airplane ride was in a TriPacer. What a beauty you have Sir.

[getouttheguns]

Beautiful Tri Pacer, love the look, great experience flying it across country.

[georgerothfuss]

the Piper Tri-Pacer is incredibly easy to fly, with a little instruction, and 150 hp, well it becomes a short field machine that can get you to almost all the grass strips you can find.

[titanhank]

I love my tripacer. Fantastic little airplane. Teaching my daughter to fly in it.

[JohnMcGowan-mxrq]

Congratulations on new TriPacer Dave, and thanks for sharing it! I learned in a <new> Colt at dealer in western Pennsylvania in the '60's, and remember thinking the TriPacer would be an upgrade, though I lusted after a Twin Comanche when they appeared in '63.. After owning Cherokee I found and bought our Comanche 180 in '78 and still going, though insurance may push me back into Colt in another few years.. I suspect the alternator STC kit has already been installed, or will be shortly.. Huge difference replacing the struggling little generator... And LED lights also make for reduced workload on the generator in the interim. Really enjoy your stories and was just at WAAAM this week and really impressive.. Terry and staff are amazing, and wish I knew how he persuades so many to donate their near priceless treasures...

[tomdchi]

Absolutely love the look of that plane!

[C.M.McBride]

Really enjoyed the story. Brought back great memories. Earned my CFI, Commercial and Instrument in a Tripacer in the nineteen sixties. Trained several pilots and remember having to make sure RPMS were high enough to make the radio work.

[kbentch]

Great video! Loved how you decided to buy the plane and get it home safely! Thanks for sharing.

[JMOUC]

I have always liked the looks of the Tri-Pacer over all other high wing monoplanes. From the time I grew up a mile off the end of a runway at a busy GA airport in the 1950s to the present.

[Sidetrackification]

One brief story, a few local pilots from the Dothan AL area. Used to fly down to the gulf, to Dog Island. Charlie the eldest of them had a Tri-Pacer. The distance was around a hundred miles, he being the slowest of the group was usually a few minutes behind. When it seemed enough time for him to arrive had passed, the others called him on the radio. Charlie's voice was a little shaky when he replied he wasn't quite sure of his location, he said he saw a highway sign down below and would take a look. Another minute passed and another inquiry was made as to where he was. When asked what the roadsign said, Charlie's response was Birmingham 54 miles ahead. Everyone was howling laughing as by that time he was on final at the island. 😮😅😅😅

[djwashx]

Great story I'm not a pilot yet but I think I would have purchased it

[deathraylabs_nature]

what a gorgeous plane! you’re so lucky!

[MacGWA]

Great video! Please do more pilot stories!