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

[@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. 😀

[@flywithaopa]

What a way to get hooked! Glad you are still flying!

[@waynesilva3129]

I read the same book. In fact bought the book for a former student in Copenhagen. My mother learned to fly in the tri pacer. Then I even instructed in the plane.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Dtulis]

I agree on the LED landing lights @MSchwartzNWV. I replaced one of the two 4509 tungsten lights and wow, they consume some power! The other light is tricky to get to but it's on my "to-do" list.

[@hwalter5432]

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!

[@Dtulis]

Agreed and my thoughts exactly. Thanks for watching.

[@CAHelmer]

Congratulations David. Awesome

[@Dtulis]

Thanks much, @CAHelmer.

[@DFuzzy1]

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.

[@flywithaopa]

Thanks for sharing how you got your start!

[@Dtulis]

Woah, @DFuzzy1, 5,000-feet field elevation and 3,000-feet of runway = master pilot at 4 hours! Nicely done. Great memories and a nice aircraft to learn in tool.

[@klesmer]

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

[@georgerothfuss9576]

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.

[@Dtulis]

Hi George, glad the short wing Piper expanded your horizons. I hear the converted Tri-Pacers can be a handful sometimes so I appreciate your point! Mine’s pretty easy to fly but another 15-25hp would be nice. It’s a PA-22-135.

[@pauldarconte4009]

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

[@Dtulis]

Hiya Paul! Missing my ATL riding buddy and hope all is well. I still have a motorcycle but not enough time to fly and ride and be good at both!

[@getouttheguns8179]

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

[@Dtulis]

Hi @getouttheguns1879, I share your appreciation of the vintage look and like helping keep older aircraft in the sky (although it can be hard on the wallet). Thanks for watching.

[@Sidetrackification]

Excellent thanks for posting this!

[@flywithaopa]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@georgerothfuss9576]

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.

[@Dtulis]

Hi @GeorgeRothfuss9576, I've heard the 150-hp version is a big improvement over my O-290-D2 135-hp, and a 160-hp version from the late 1950's is even better ... but I'm OK with 7.2 gph for now. Maybe I can score a 160-hp engine and swap it out one day?

[@titanhank1]

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

[@Dtulis]

Agree and really happy with mine. Great work teaching your daughter to fly. Nice!

[@Piperfan71]

Such a beauty 😍

[@JohnMcGowan-mx9rq]

Congratulations on new TriPacer Dave, and thanks for sharing it! I learned in a 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...

[@Dtulis]

Hi John, thank you for the congrats and Comanche 180 info. I always thought they were sweet looking airplanes but have yet to fly in one. (I'll trade you a flight in the Tri-Pacer!) I'm running a generator under the mantra of 'it's worked for 70 years so why change it now' theory but replaced the landing light with an LED that I sourced during Sun 'n Fun. It helps a lot! I totally agree that WAAAM and Terry are top-notch. Hope to cross paths in person.

[@JohnMcGowan-mx9rq]

@@Dtulis Dave- LED landing light AND position lights save quite a few precious amps.. Next time you come out to SF Bay Area to document our fight over Reid Hillview or unleaded fuel or any other project you are absolutely invited for a flight in the Comanche.. AOPA has all my contact info for 6343P...

[@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.

[@Dtulis]

I hear you on the RPMs! After the trip I swapped out the tungsten landing lights for LEDs and can see a big-time improvement. Also glad you have significant Tri-Pacer flight time, it's a great machine.

[@C.M.McBride]

@@Dtulis Another memory. Separated the controls so rudder, ailerons and elevator were independent and replaced fabric covered wings with aluminum. Very little difference in added weight. Hard to believe but I flew one used in charter service. Vaguely remember about five frequencies on an old Narco with crank tuner. Gads, I am old!

[@N2GJ]

@@Dtulis Great idea! And having a handheld radio (like an ICOM IC-A16B) is a must have on your kit. (I have no pecuniary interest in ICOM)! Beautifully told story! Thanks for sharing. BTW, I just got around to watching the full video after seeing the short version on AOPA Live recently. Stay safe!

[@Dtulis]

@@C.M.McBride I'll bet the Narco was tricky to tune in turbulence ... and good to know the Tri-Pacer can perform in charter service too.

[@Dtulis]

@@N2GJ Indeed, and agree on a backup handheld. Not mentioned, but I fly with a handheld @Sportys PJ2+ at my side because it can be routed to my headset/mic as needed. And it almost was!!!

[@tomdchi12]

Absolutely love the look of that plane!

[@Dtulis]

Thank you, @Tomdchi12!

[@kbentch]

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

[@alienxyt]

Beautiful Plane. Great story.

[@Dtulis]

Thanks much!

[@deathraylabs_nature]

what a gorgeous plane! you’re so lucky!

[@Dtulis]

Thanks PJ.

[@MacGWA]

Great video! Please do more pilot stories!

[@Dtulis]

Thanks @MacGWA, wilco.

[@JMOUC265]

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.

[@Dtulis]

I agree, it's a cool looking retro-aircraft and fairly advanced for its time. Some Tri-Pacers have the aileron and rudder interconnected with the idea it'd be easier to control for newbies.

[@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. 😮😅😅😅

[@flywithaopa]

Thanks for sharing, haha!

[@Dtulis]

LOL, great story! I agree that Tri-Pacers aren't fast but they'll get you there. I had an Ercoupe for a long time so I'm OK going 100-110 mph and enjoying the scenery. Also landed a Mooney M20C on the sand at Dog Island and really like the Apalachicola, Carrabelle, St. George Island area. Hope to see you there!

[@ricardo6711]

I’m a student and I love your story, I wish that I was with you because I would have learned a few things very fast . Beautiful airplane.

[@Dtulis]

Thanks @Ricardo6711. I learned a LOT on that trip and encourage you to follow your aviation dreams and you'll be there, too. Reach out w/any questions, always glad to help.

[@djwashx]

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

[@jhmcglynn]

You have to read Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck. It’s the story of when he and his older brother (15 & 17 at the time) flew a restored Piper J3 from New Jersey to Capistrano California.

[@Dtulis]

Hi @jhmcglynn, thank you for the tip to read the "Flight of Passage." I'll check it out!

[@franktino6676]

Great Book - and actually it was a 1947 PA-11 Cub Special they bought, fixed up & flew from where I am based in NJ . 🛩

[@kenthompson3730]

@@franktino6676correct. Not a J3.

[@ngc60]

Is it fabric covered?

[@Dtulis]

Hi @ngc60, yep, fabric wings and most of the fuselage but it's a work of art and looks like metal.

[@paleghost]

I remember. the tripacers had the rudder connected to the ailerons. Is that the case on this one?

[@Dtulis]

Yep, the ‘53 version does have the interconnect but I’ve heard some folks adjust it quite loosely.

[@chaosensues1656]

The wheel pants transform an ugly duckling into a little beauty.

[@Dtulis]

@ChaosEnsues1656 I agree!

[@seeingeyegod]

Yeah I'd love to have it, also would love to have a spare 40k lying around.

[@williamkumley5135]

Beautiful Tri Pacer. I just picked up a Colt. Although, my flight home was a bit shorter as I was able to complete it in one day.

[@flywithaopa]

Very nice!

[@Dtulis]

@@flywithaopa and @WilliamKumley5135, the Short Wing Piper community is a great resource and there are several key websites with good info on flying, maintenance, and best practices. Enjoy your Colt!

[@morthomer5804]

The ultimate garage sale find?

[@douglasschafer6372]

Great story, but where's my beer......

[@Dtulis]

@DouglasSchafer6372, your cold beverage is in my hangar at FDK! (behind me in the video!)

[@KNosnhoj]

Great story but one clarification: Hood River is not surrounded by desolate rocky 9000ft mountains. More like 2500 ft ridges which quickly give way to wide open flatlands as you head east.

[@nickbermel4726]

40 k in perfect condition, that seems like a steal

[@waynesilva3129]

I would consider the 150 hp engine if you’re going to carry four people. I wouldn’t even consider a 172 over the tri pacer. May have to sell a couple of my Rolex’s but it’s doable.

[@donavan2517]

Milk stool... eh, I can kinda see it. Personally I've always thought the tri-pacer looked like a pug, with the unusually flat nose and short gear.

[@Dtulis]

@donavan2517, my wife and daughter like the smiling cowl because it looks like a friendly airplane. But I did see a Tri-Pacer painted up with black and white cow spots!

[@franktino6676]

Ironic that this story about Dave Tulis of AOPA buying this Tripacer 135 just as I was looking at a Tripacer 125 that also was for sale. Having had 4 straight tail 1959 Cessna 150's since 1976, an Ercoupe 415C/D, an Aeronca Chief 65 hp, and a Piper Colt 108, I have a strong interest in vintage light planes. Plus my budget is more conducive to rag & tube. 😄

[@Dtulis]

Funny thing, Frank: I had an Ercoupe when I lived in Atlanta! I was great fun to fly and to share with other aviators. Always brought a story to the ramp. Good luck on your next Tri-Pacer!

[@franktino6676]

@@Dtulis Thanks Dave! The very best of luck with your new Tri-Pacer! That is truly ironic that you also had an Ercoupe! The Ercoupe was a truly fun aircraft. Mine, built in 1947 had no rudder pedals of course, and the original 75 hp engine had been updated to an 85 hp Continental. The wings had been metalized too, back in the mid 1950's. I am a fan of the Ercoupe as well. I took some long xcountry trips in that Ercoupe as well.

[@Tadrjbs]

It must be nice to have an extra 40k laying around....

[@Dtulis]

I hear you, @tadrjbs. I had a lot of help and there are ways to finance, etc.

[@robertspeicher5047]

Reminds of a story I read of a person was going to deliver a new piper. This back in the 60s. He wrote about being airborne and was using road maps and was going to follow railroad tracks. I thought of the old early aircraft flying . No modern electronics just a bare aircraft. I remember thinking " what an adventure."

[@Dtulis]

I used I-80, the Platte River ... and an iPad Mini 6 with ForeFlight. OK, I admit, I cheated!