Piper PA-22 Colt
The Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer (later simplified as the Colt in its two-seat trainer version) brought tricycle landing gear to the traditional Piper Cub-family lineage, making it noticeably easier for new pilots to handle on the ground than tailwheel designs like the Cub. That easier ground handling helped it become a popular family touring and training aircraft through the 1950s and 1960s. Its slightly wider cabin than the Cub-family aircraft it was based on gave it a bit more room for passengers and baggage. Many remain in active private use today, prized for their simple, economical operation.
Did you know?
The PA-22 Colt was Piper's tricycle-gear trainer version of the Tri-Pacer, easier for beginners to handle on the ground than the tailwheel Cub.
Specifications
| Length | 6.3 m (21 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 8.9 m (29 ft) |
| Height | 2.5 m (8 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 3 |
| Persons on board | 4 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.9 t |
| Range | 500 NM (926 km) |
| Maximum speed | 123 kt (228 km/h) |
| Stall speed | 43 kt (80 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 16,500 ft (5,029 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Rate of climb | 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 430 m (1,411 ft) |
| Landing distance | 350 m (1,148 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 135 l |
| Engines | Lycoming O-320-B |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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