IFR in a 1957 Tri-Pacer

[@tommcintyre2963]

Good Job, good flight. Got accepted to the Navy flight program without ever having been in an airplane. Took a $5.00 ride in a Tri-Pacer, didn't get sick and the rest is history. 35,000 hours and 50 plus years in the air and your video brought back memories. Thanks.....

[@citabriaable]

Great video...I love the Tri-Pacer, as a kid my CFI Dad would take me up in Tri-Pacer's back in the 60's, many times with a student and I'd ride in the little back seat. What amazes me is how pilots back in the day flew IFR without GPS and other modern tools.

[@davidschmaus1]

You are absolutely right. I want to do a VFR XC flight with just maps and pilotage but I can’t imaging flying IFR without the technology we have today.

[@philfrasier127]

Really enjoying your videos. I'm an old dude with a continuing problem, so no longer flying. So, I fly vicariouly throug videos like yours. You probably have the best equipped TriPacer in the country

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Absolutely adore the short wing pipers. Actually logged my first 15 hours in a Tri Pacer. Would love having an IFR capable one for hour building and instrument training.

[@Pilotc180]

Just brilliant

[@jamesrutherford9597]

Great flights David

[@diegocuartas717]

Excellent video. Gave me a good idea of what an IFR approach looks like.

[@kevincollins8014]

That was a pretty cool flight. The dual G5's make flying in IMC nice I bet. Glad to see you got to log some actual approaches. Thanks again for taking the time to create and upload for others to enjoy including myself.

[@davidschmaus1]

Kevin Collins thanks Kevin. Yeah. Not sure I’d fly actual in the old bird without them. Glad I got some in too!

[@AvgDude]

Nicely done. No autopilot either. Great vid.

[@alanwelch7297]

I had a 1957 PA22-150 years ago. Loved my little short wing Piper

[@davidschmaus1]

Hey Alan. Awesome man. Yeah. I am really enjoying flying her.

[@mtweiss01]

I’m a former Cirrus Pilot. Sold her and my hangar in 2020 at the “big airport” 45 minutes away as business use dwindled and I semi retired from aviation law . Always Kept my J-3 Cub at a local private 2200 foot strip 5 minutes from my house in a hangar with four slots. I don’t need a fast mover, just an honest 4 place for my wife and me (and two dogs) to fly to our vacation home 100nm away. Looks like the tri-pacer would be perfect. 460 foot field elevation. What are your thoughts on performance? I’m 225 pounds my wife is 110 and the dogs are about 35 to 40 pounds each,

[@LeeKobe1]

Excellent video! I'm VFR SEL only but I've always been interested in staying up on basic IFR principles, and usually ask to fly unusual attitude recoveries on all of my BFR's. Got my PPL later in life and don't see the need to go full IFR at this point but I've flown safety for several IFR folks and it's a bunch of fun. I also have a '57 Tripacer. Great airplanes. Thanks again for sharing!

[@davidschmaus1]

That’s awesome. Yes they are great airplanes. It’s nice to have but not a must.

[@eco-beehive]

fantastic ,, I think its great you dont eddit out the time it takes to fly.. and you talk though everything you are looking at and doing.. very cool thank you.

[@davidschmaus1]

thanks so much!

[@c32load]

Great video! I'm working on purchasing a '57 Tri-Pacer and as long as it passes pre-buy inspection I will get it. I am about 3/4 through my instrument rating training and hopefully will have that soon. The plane I am looking at has a GTN 355 but not WAAS capable. I am going to change that out with a WAAS GTN 355 and looking at your setup with the G5's that really looks like the way to go. I would love to eliminate the vacuum system. I can't wait to pickup that plane, I am going to get into Pilot N Paws and other animal rescue flights and its too difficult to do with a club and rental aircraft.

[@utuberagain18]

Great video. You did a really nice job of covering that IFR flight. It gave me a very good sense of what it must be like in a GA aircraft. Thanks!

[@davidschmaus1]

Thanks! It great fun. If you ever have an opportunity you should get your license!

[@jamesrutherford9597]

I haven't seen your IFR videos in a while. I always enjoy your presentations before flights. I am giving thought in getting my instrument rating. I first have to get back into controlled airspace and do some work there first. I just got back into flying some in the past two years but am not able to put the time into it like I want to. I hope it all works out.

[@jamesrutherford9597]

Also my dad and I have a tripacer. New instruments in it but still have partial vacuum functions like the old altimeter and DG as backup. The compass is off by a little and needs calibration.

[@davidschmaus1]

Taking the past year off with the high gas prices. Hopefully will be back next year but we will see.

[@michaelszabo9835]

Good video. I fly out of KHAO and have done the Middletown approach multiple times. Had to do it on my check ride too. I ‘m rebuilding a PA-20, and wasn’t planning on adding in IFR capability, but you have me rethinking that plan. Would love to come see your plane sometime.

[@davidschmaus1]

awesome. I sold the tri-pacer recently but it's two just two hangars down. we are having our big fly in on May 5th at I73. ill be there all day if you ca make it

[@perrysplus]

Thanks for doing this, fantastic!

[@davidschmaus1]

perrysplus thanks! you are welcome!

[@JamesGood]

Very interesting to see that IFR work. Thanks for recording this!

[@davidschmaus1]

Thanks James. I do enjoy IFR flying in small doses.

[@domaguayo7819]

Textbook approach. Well done.👍👍

[@davidschmaus1]

Thanks Dom! Appreciate it!

[@williamhauck7303]

Thank you for your video. Piper 224MM

[@davidschmaus1]

No problem!!

[@nipponhouseplayer]

Very nice!

[@russellhamm7891]

I really like that set up. I have thought of going with the GNC 355 in place of my VFR GPS/COM (KLX 135A), or have thought about going with the Val INS 429. I have the KX-125 with the LCD CDI now and am limited to VOR approaches only in my PA-22 as I have toggle switches rather than an audio panel with markers. I would add a stand alone CDI for the 355 an merge my CHT and EGT into a single unit and put the CDI indicator in its place. If I went with the INS 429 I would pick up ILS and LOC approaches but fear that going that route would not ultimately be as useful. I am glad someone out there is pulling the trigger on getting a PA-22 set up for IFR....great motivation! N3707P

[@davidschmaus1]

Not sure how I missed this comment. Appreciate it. I was basically in the same situation you were and ultimately I wanted something useful and GPS approaches to me seemed the way to go. It’s expensive making such a non XC plane IFR but I’ve already used it often and it lets me stay up on my rating and training. I can shoot a VOR, localizer and GPS. Thanks for watching!!

[@dennisharrington6055]

Thanks. I’ve got 6916D. Always going to get IFR rating and get the plane IFR capable. Discussed IFR’ng the plane with FSDO. In his first three breaths, he said pitot heat four times. I think he wants IFR planes in his district to have heated pitots...

[@davidschmaus1]

Totally and understandable. There is a way to do it on the Tri-Pacer and its under $600 installed. I'm having it done soon.

[@savagecub]

Was it not possible to arrange your flight instruments in a standard 6 pack configuration ?

[@David_Wolfe]

Great video David. If you ever have some free time I would love from my son and I to see your plane as I am certain one is in my/his future. He is about 10 hours away from finishing his private at Red Stuarts.

[@davidschmaus1]

Paramotor Crazy thanks dave. Absolutely. I’ll come pick him up at RS and take him for a flight.

[@Scott_Hauck]

Thank you for the great video.Any chance my dad can come out and see your plane . i am looking to buy a pa22/20. he keeps his at i68.

[@davidschmaus1]

Absolutely. Any time. Shoot me an email and we can exchange info. Davidschmaus at yahoo dot com

[@kendemers8821]

Great informative video. I did not know that IFR equipment could be installed in a TriPacer for under $20k. What's your average cruise speed in the TriPacer? Thanks.

[@rogermcmillan8671]

Looks like the G5's and GNC 355 only allow you to fly WAAS-GPS approaches. Were you able to take an instrument check ride and do your training without having to fly ILS or VOR approaches?

[@davidschmaus1]

Roger McMillan you are right. I also have the king 125 which allows me to do a localizer and VOR approach. I did do my check ride in it. I was able to use an RNAV that had its minimums below 300 as my precision approach.

[@carlosballesteros4670]

Hey David, I've heard lots of stories about the tripacer, some good but some others..... I want to ask you a question: what is typical airspeed you nail to in final approach, no wind and ideal conditions? I'm asking you this because there is a recommendation not to go under 70 mph if you don't want the airplane to sink. Is it that true? Thank you.

[@davidschmaus1]

It really does depend. If Im flying an actual IFR approach I'll follow the glide slope down at around 70-75MPH. If Im flying VFR I'll fly it closer to 60-65. You do have to come in a little higher because you will drop more at the speed. It's great though because it gives you an option for a short field landing.

[@carlosballesteros4670]

@@davidschmaus1 wow, thank you so much for the info. I lo e Tripacer and so your videos, all are great.

[@GRANITEMONUMENT]

Is that a 150 or 160. ,is it the Caribbean (spelling) 2 seat trainer version, also do you know your prop specs? I saw it had fairly good take off performance, I'm assembling my 54 135 , also did you buy the com GPS new or used?

[@davidschmaus1]

Mine is the 4 seat Tri-Pacer is the 150HP. I need to check my prop but it’s a cruise prop and not a climb prop. The Harmon GPS was bought new last year. It’s the GNC355. Have a good weekend!

[@flywiseman]

Thank you for this video, I just bought into a tripacer 150 and i have been wondering what you had on the panel. I had a tripacer years ago and loved it and Looking forward to getting back in the air

[@rogermcmillan8671]

Great Video David. I have a 56 Tripacer that is an ideal candidate for upgrades. I only have an AI and no directional gyro or nav capability other than an older I-Fly GPS velcro'd to the panel and my I-Pad. My plane has the original Generator which puts out 20 Amps. Is your plane upgraded to an Alternator and if so what amp output does it have? If alternator...where was it sourced? Thanks, Roger

[@davidschmaus1]

Roger McMillan hey roger. The previous owner had the conversion done in 2002. I just checked the logs and he used Interav alternator part number 015-01236 Sourced from chief aircraft. I’m sure things have changed. I can’t find the manual so I’m not sure how man amps it is.

[@HairyBushPilot]

Was this recorded on the DJI Osmo Action?

[@davidschmaus1]

John Fuller hey john. It was.

[@047thRonin]

Thanks David! this is enlightening for some of us that just starting the road towards aircraft ownership to continue the training, quick question though if money wasn't an issue would you have chosen the GI 275 over the G5?

[@davidschmaus1]

Carlos M. No problem! Those GI275 look amazing. So they were definitely out of my price range but I did consider them. I love how they fit in the existing hole and no modification is required. My main concern was the size. I was a little worried that they would of been to hard to read. I have never seen them in person so that was just a guess. They could of been totally fine. I have a friend having them installed in his Mooney this fall so I’ll be able to tell then.

[@LarryPortouw]

Do you still have the generator, or have you converted to an alternator?

[@davidschmaus1]

Larry Portouw hey Larry. It was converted to an alternator before I bought it.

[@martinbguk]

Where is your OAT probe? & which model of OAT?

[@davidschmaus1]

PA22-135 Charlie Sierra hey Charlie. It’s mounted on the bottom of the wing and is part of the aerospace logic clock/temp gauge.

[@martinbguk]

@@davidschmaus1 Thank you.

[@wgeorge50]

Do you have heated pitot?

[@davidschmaus1]

Not yet. Soon though.

[@gliderfs621]

Do you have an AP/FD ?

[@davidschmaus1]

No. Wish I did. Basically not available.

[@josephbucci2724]

David Theres a PA 22/20 for sale just west of Elkton Maryland. The plane was being built because theres no avionics and no engine, and I think she said theres no cowl. I dont know if there are wings. Not sure if the controls are installed and rigged. The gentleman has passed and his wife is selling it. I asked if the elevators are on it and she doesn't know what they are. Could you assist in establishing a fair value if you were sent photos?

[@davidschmaus1]

Joseph Bucci sure thing! Email me at davidschmaus at yahoo dot com

[@daves.9076]

Enjoyed the video but the background noise/ interference was really bad. Can’t watch on a regular basis with that much noise.

[@davidschmaus1]

yeah. it was bad on this flight for some reason. Just sold the plane to "upgrade"

[@benjamingamble2407]

@@davidschmaus1 give us some details?!

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

Why is the radio/com so noisy? Is that Rf interference from the alternator/generator/magneto? Worn out brushes arching (arc-ing?) … Adding a simple Rf choke on the headset cable might be all that’s needed …. Is something not grounded properly? Shouldn’t be that puttering noise or high-frequency whine… as a musician and sound engineer that would drive me crazy… I don’t understand why we can transmit Dolby quality stereo sound with an HF radio, but ALL aircraft radio communications still sound like 1960 vintage Dick Tracy walkie-talkies … whether it’s a Piper Colt, or an Apollo 11 orbiting the moon, or a Qatar Airbus A380 within Bluetooth distance of the control tower, AND over a $1300 noise-cancelling Bose headset to boot; it doesn’t seem to matter… it’s still going to sound like … a …a 1965 General Electric rotary dial tele-phone? … uh, … nnno, … more like uhh … 1912 radio-telegraph audio … really… you know; The Titanic … “save our ship … dit dit dit, da da da, dit dit dit” - type stuff… If anyone can explain this bizarre phenomenon… I’m all ears.