I might take you up on that offer. I’m originally from Billings myself. I’m just getting settled in in Spokane (just got based here) so it’ll be a few weeks before I can take a trip over but I’ll dm you and see if we can set something up. Thanks again.

There's a really nice Pacer on Spokane Craigslist. It's based at CDA airport. It's an original PA20. I'm not far from you either, just out of Marion, MT. Hanson, on the Great Falls sectional.
John

Pacer. I bought mine for 32,500. 80 hrs on a Penn Yang overhaul, climb prop. 150hp. electronic ignition on left mag, ADS-B already installed. I love it.

I'll echo the Pacer sentiments all day. We rarely put the backseats into ours, so the rear door becomes a cargo door, and with 2 pax and full fuel we still have over 400# available left for camping gear. If left light, and given a few mods (extended tips, VGs, better brakes), no problem getting off the ground or returning to the ground in 300' consistently, which makes it a candidate for most backcountry strips.

Any time a discussion like this happens, there's a strong push for (Tri-)Pacers being one of the best bang for your buck aircraft. I agree with the above posts and there's plenty of threads on BCP about Pacer performance to search if you're interested in more details. The Pacer is about perfect for my mission:

60% pilot+pax+gear for 100-250 nm weekend trips (I plan 105-110 ktas cruise speed)
20% giving friends rides, flying to work, flying formation, etc.
15% pilot only, flights to local desert/mountain strips
5% multi-state cross-countries pilot+pax+gear

I’ll second or third the tripacer. If you can fit with a buddy/partner for <$20k you can get a reliable plane that is easy to maintain and can take you to many cool places. They are not sexy or cool, but they are practical and simple and have a charm of their own and handle really well in the air.


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As almost always, technique is as, nay more, important than the airplane in short field operations. Be able to consistently put it on the numbers slowly and softly and default stay in low ground effect until near the obstruction and don't waist a lot of vertical space available energy going high over the obstruction.

Pilots on a budget can find free energy in nature.

You can pick up a nice Maule for under 100K.

But can you afford the insurance?

I have a Pacer 150. It's a great backcountry airplane.

But it's no Super Cub. If you actually need the super short performance pay attention to wing loading specs and power/weight ratio. If you can find a used Bushmaster, definitely look into that.

Agreed on the PA-12, especially if you can find one with the flaps added.

Older Bellanca Scouts can be good deals, though they will have wooden spars and all that comes with that. Might be better off with a Pacer.

If you can live with an LSA, I totally adore the Rans S-7, though it's severely useful load-limited.

Keep eyes peeled for a Bearhawk Patrol, though again it probably won't have Super cub low end performance but it with cruise faster. Build quality determines price.

Zzz wrote:
If you can live with an LSA, I totally adore the Rans S-7, though it's severely useful load-limited.

Keep eyes peeled for a Bearhawk Patrol, though again it probably won't have Super cub low end performance but it with cruise faster. Build quality determines price.

Dang Zzz, don't mention the Patrol!! Trying to find one is near impossible!! I was looking for one a while ago and if one did come up for sale, it was gone fast! I would sell my S-7 and get the Patrol if I could find one.
By the way, I see they annouced a side by side version coming out!