Hey everyone!

Did a quick search for my price point and didn't get any hits so just wanted to see if theirs any reasonable models of aircraft I haven't looked at yet.

Considering the piper pacer 150 HP, Taylorcraft, and Stinson! These are all planes I've been able to find under 30,000 for initial cost.

Would really love some feedback and maybe more planes to consider?

Goal is 2 people with camping and fishing gear for maybe 2-3 stints out here in either Washington, Oregon, or Idaho.

From greatest to least in priority.
1. STOL / bush(?) capability.
2. Useful load
3. Economics

I work out in AK doing 135 ops. So fly probably 100 hours+ a month in a 207. But my off airport expereince is minimal so I don't want to always have to be at the top of my A game to get in and out of places. Would ideally like to have a plane that has some performance margins I can play with. Probably plan on carrying 700 - 800 lbs max with full tanks... Maybe 1000? But can't imagine any scenarios where I would... But never say never haha!

Thanks everyone!

C207Guy wrote:Hey everyone!

Did a quick search for my price point and didn't get any hits so just wanted to see if theirs any reasonable models of aircraft I haven't looked at yet.

. Probably plan on carrying 700 - 800 lbs max with full tanks... Maybe 1000? But can't imagine any scenarios where I would... But never say never haha!

Thanks everyone!

You might find a decent Pacer or most likely a Stison in that price range. You UL though is going to be tough to attain in your budget. Not many 4- seaters have that kind of UL with full tanks, especially priced under $30K. Not saying there isn't something out there, I just don't know what it is. Good Luck!! Let us know what you find.

Everybody's idea of STOL and Off airport is different. In the general area you hail from it can go from playing in a glacial river right next to a sprawling metropolis, to being as far away from people as possible on this planet anymore.

Thinking out your mission well will save you frustration later on. While your determining which AC fits your mission best, also determine which one fits your location best... ie; no sense in buying a turbine where there's no diesel....

You didn't say where in AK, but being that you are in a part of the country that has cub parts / mechanics everywhere, I would be inclined to look at Pacers and do not pass go. Most good cub mechanics are handy with Pacers, and most places that have cub parts have at least some Pacer parts on the wall... If you are going to play in the bushes, you will need both sooner or later, and odds are it will be sooner than you think. No sense in buying something that's made of unobtanium, or requires a mechanic flown in from xxx.....

C207Guy wrote:Hey everyone!
But my off airport expereince is minimal so I don't want to always have to be at the top of my A game to get in and out of places.
Thanks everyone!

As a side note, based on your intentions and geographical location, I would strongly recommend revising this thought process... but there again
perhaps it was just a matter of lost semantics....

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:...being as far away from people as possible on this planet anymore.

Right on brother! Who knew I'd already bugged out.

Rob wrote:cub parts / mechanics everywhere, I would be inclined to look at Pacers and do not pass go...I would be inclined to look at Pacers and do not pass go. Most good cub mechanics are handy with Pacers, and most places that have cub parts have at least some Pacer parts on the wall

^^^^ There's lots of wisdom in those words.

Rob wrote:...If you are going to play in the bushes, you will need both sooner or later, and odds are it will be sooner than you think.

Truer words were never spoken.

All three planes will do the job I would pick the pacer as #1 choice. I understand if the tail of a 207 will come off the ground at 1200 RPM and you have enough runway it will fly. For 30 grand you are not going to get that type of performance. A pacer has a useful load of 800 lbs. THAT INCLUDES FUEL! At that weight you have little performance margin left, it will be pilot skill that has to get you out of tight places. I don't think a T-crate has that big of a useful load. Stenson can fly it but for 30 grand I am afraid you are asking for trouble. I see a lot of Stenson's parked around Alaska, the pacer are usually flying there is a reason and Rob hit the nail on the head, parts and skills to fix them. Pacers make great backcountry planes. A 150 hp with a Borer prop and bushwheels can work most any 800 - 1000 ft strip. As a new pilot I flew a Pacer all over Alaska, lots of gravel bars, hill tops, cabin strips, on wheels and skis. It is not hard just don't count on the plane to get you out of trouble! The only skill needed is the ability to resist getting into a place you can't get out of and a Pacer will get you in short if needed, getting out well not so much. If you want a plane that can make up for poor pilot skills you need to get a Super cub. If you look around you can find a beater for 70-80 grand. If times got tight and I had to get rid of my cub and 180 I would get a Pacer in a heartbeat!!
DENNY

There’s a nice Pacer for sale in Washington that was posted on barnstormers recently for just under 30k. It has around 500 hours on the engine if I remember right and even has a set of 31” bushwheels. Might be worth a look.

Hey everyone thanks for the replies! I've been leaning towards the pacer myself and just wanted to send out some feelers before I really started to take a deep dive into learning about a specific model!

Just want to clarify as well I work in AK but live in Washington so wouldn't actually be up flying in AK! I'm definitely pretty comfortable in a tail dragger mind you I only have about 500 or so hours in them but just wanted to see if there was anything that could give me more margin for error to play with if I needed it!

On an off note now is there anything I should look out for in a pacer when doing an inspection / flying it off airport?

If you haven’t already, visit shortwingpipers.org. Lots of great pacer info from some of the best in the business of cubs and pacers. Check out the “so you want to own a shortwing” thread and you will get all the ins and outs of buying one. Oh, if only I had read that post before buying mine...

56 and newer have separate front seats not a bench. Get a 160 hp if you can, PA 22/20 has wider gear. Square wings are much better than round for performance. BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES!!! Get money in hand and don't fall in love until the IA says ok.
DENNY

Thanks guys this info was perfect!