I’m starting this thread as a “branch off” of the other PA-22 thread because I did not want to take that one any farther off topic...

This is basically just for fun to answer the question of what would the ultimate PA-22 build be in your eyes...

Here is mine...

Start with a good 1956 or later airframe so that it has the front split seats and slightly wider door frames..

Bushmaster mod... With Eddie Trimmer PA-18 Gear using Eddies double puck brakes and 29 inch bushwheels... I don’t see the need for 31’s... The Bushmaster mod extends the fuselage and wings significantly... Would do both left and right seaplane doors and long version of my skylight.. Eddies doors require his fuel system and Maule fuel valve...

Would seriously look into field approving a set of Keller flaps... also would do the Sven’s wing tips with Dakota tips... Would use Dakotas wing tanks as well... A set of Pa-18 tail feathers out back and micro VG’s would complete the flying surfaces modifications..

Do a Svenn’s lightweight battery mod with the dual solenoid electrical setup... would custom fab a panel to be flat across the top and eliminate the late model hump... some EI instrumentation and a basic VFR panel setup... as minimal as possible to keep the weight down...

Power would be an 0-360 A1P because I like my exhaust system but would put a MT prop on the nose... lightweight starter and aluminum cooler with a lightweight alternator also...

Now to win the lottery.. [emoji23]

Brian


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I dream small, I guess.

I would definitely go for the ‘56 or later model for the improved seat aned interior spacing.

I would add shoulder harnesses.

I would go for squared of tips of some sort, don’t care whether they are drooped.

I would add VGs.

I would go for the tailwheel for sure, may as well do it with the Trimmer PA-18 gear STC.

Probably 31’s, but that is only because the 35’s might be a bit too much...absolutely not smaller than 31’s though...!!! At least for tires, I dream big...

Lots and lots of avgas...


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If I win the lottery your my first call Brian

Brian-StevesAircraft wrote:…..Would seriously look into field approving a set of Keller flaps... also would do the Sven’s wing tips with Dakota tips... Would use Dakotas wing tanks as well... A set of Pa-18 tail feathers out back and micro VG’s would complete the flying surfaces modifications....

Have you ever flown one with the stock length Dakota "Super 20" slotted wings?
.

hotrod180 wrote:

Brian-StevesAircraft wrote:…..Would seriously look into field approving a set of Keller flaps... also would do the Sven’s wing tips with Dakota tips... Would use Dakotas wing tanks as well... A set of Pa-18 tail feathers out back and micro VG’s would complete the flying surfaces modifications....

Have you ever flown one with the stock length Dakota "Super 20" slotted wings?
.

No... No one in the area has decided to spend that kind of money on that modification yet... By the numbers and knowing at least one person that has flown them I agree that those wings look very promising...

Brian

My 57 PA22- bushmaster, PA18 tail, Dakota Tanks, PA16 instrument panel, Dakota Tanks, 0-320-160 (Sutton exhaust, electronic ignition), one-time stick STC, Trimmer left door, Sullivan tips, 29's BW, 82" prop. Almost fits the bill all I need is Trimmer PA18 gear, MT prop, glass panel---then it's perfect.

My Bushmaster at Red's Horse Ranch

Steve

Stephen wrote:My 57 PA22- bushmaster, PA18 tail, Dakota Tanks, PA16 instrument panel, Dakota Tanks, 0-320-160 (Sutton exhaust, electronic ignition), one-time stick STC, Trimmer left door, Sullivan tips, 29's BW, 82" prop. Almost fits the bill all I need is Trimmer PA18 gear, MT prop, glass panel---then it's perfect.

Steve

Hey, you're THAT guy! My partner and I have discussed your bird a few times while planning our Pacer mods. Very cool.

One of my customers has a nice bushmaster. 180HP, FP prop off a scout, left hand door, -18 gear, extended wings, the span is just shy of 38 feet. Fairly basic panel. LR fuel. Horton stol kit. Steves gasvolator. Flies very nice and slow. I wish it has stick controls though. I actually prefer it to the Yakima Bushmasters, as nice as they are.

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My certified Bushmaster also has seaplane doors both sides. I'm in the process of switching out my Demmer tips for Sullivan carbon fiber tips. I'm curious if I will notice any performance difference or than not banging my head on the old droop tips. I'm thinking about Trimmer's extended PA18 gear, maybe next winter. I'm also eyeing cutting my already small panel to two 4" Dynon or Garmin glass multi gauges. Brian threw out the idea of field approval on Keller flaps. I like it but, Bushmaster flaps (depending on the option you choose) are longer than Cub's. The data may not work with the FAA. I wonder if anyone has tried yet?

Steve
Lopez Island, WA

I would add a rudder trim to this. Already have the kit too

Mapleflt wrote:If I win the lottery your my first call Brian

Doing the Bushmaster STC was the first mod that actually increased the value of my PA 22. You can do this mod on a budget if you have a late model PA 22. I found old wing parts, including ribs from Brian and kept my cost, including a total wing and an aft fuselage recover and new struts under $10k. The Bushmaster STC does include a tail dragger conversion....If you like their landing gear style. I don't, besides I already had long ago done the Univair conversion. Now, (unless my wife knocks some sense into me) I'm thinking about the Trimmer PA 18 gear. The MT is waiting until I hit the lottery.

BRD wrote:

Slotted wings? Nice.

Here’s my dream Pacer:



Buuuut, it’d be cool to do a Bushmaster conversion when I and the plane are ready

One word comes to mind.....AWESOME

Question: If the interior space doesn’t change with the bushmaster conversion what does extending the fuselage give you? Better yaw stability for longer wings?

whee wrote:Question: If the interior space doesn’t change with the bushmaster conversion what does extending the fuselage give you? Better yaw stability for longer wings?

Yes. It also helps with pitch stability.

CamTom12 wrote:

whee wrote:Question: If the interior space doesn’t change with the bushmaster conversion what does extending the fuselage give you? Better yaw stability for longer wings?

Yes. It also helps with pitch stability.

You can also mount the 180hp a little further ahead, giving you room for working on the engine and room for C/S provisions that does on the back of the motor. The longer tail keeps the W&B in check.

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read something about using a maule engine mount, i think its shorter, someone correct me.

Zzz wrote:

Stephen wrote:My 57 PA22- bushmaster, PA18 tail, Dakota Tanks, PA16 instrument panel, Dakota Tanks, 0-320-160 (Sutton exhaust, electronic ignition), one-time stick STC, Trimmer left door, Sullivan tips, 29's BW, 82" prop. Almost fits the bill all I need is Trimmer PA18 gear, MT prop, glass panel---then it's perfect.

Steve

Hey, you're THAT guy! My partner and I have discussed your bird a few times while planning our Pacer mods. Very cool.

stephen has his build on short wing pipers dot org.