Tripe/Pacer conversion cost

[Rudder Bug]

Good morning to all,

I am considering converting my Tripe into a tail dragger, add wing extensions, a landing light and ideally, a left front door. I can access an AME for a reasonable rate, who allows me to work under his supervision.

Material wise, does someone has an idea of what to expect for cost?

Giles

[redbarron55]

Slightly more than the cost of buying a plane like you want woud be the most likley answer, Perhaps not particularly PC, however.

[Rudder Bug]

Thanks for your input sir!

Actually, I've searched a little further today and also found out it'd be best to buy one already converted, as you mention above. My best bet could probably be a wing extension kit and live with my Tripe.

Even though I'm an off-strip and bush man for work and play, I love that little bugger so much that I manage to forgive it being a trike. After all, nobody's perfect!

Giles

[Steve Pierce]

I would get the parts cost from Univair. Labor is 50-70 hours for the tailwheel conversion and 40-50 for the left hand door. Stphen could tell more about the wing extensions. The advantage to converting your airplane is you will know what you have unlike buying another and then finding tons of things that need fixing.

[Rudder Bug]

Right on Steve;

She's already a fine girl as is but I am contemplating the wing extension mod seriously, at least. That would be a good start for now. A quicker takeoff could not hurt at our fishing spot.

Giles

[Stephen]

The Sullivan wing tip extension takes 30 to 40 hours. I made the tips removable...but that takes longer and is not necessary. Total parts and materials are about $1500. There is nothing difficult, if you know how to do fabric work and some metal work. No special tools are needed.

[Kurts]

I dream of this conversion as well, or at least the tail wheel part of it. I've found this picture online and it is what mine would look like if it were converted, same paint scheme, same wheel pants, and it looks nice. So 50 to 70 hours of labor, but what is the cost of necessary parts?

Kurt

[Steve Pierce]

I like that paint scheme. Not sure of the parts cost but Univair has it in several kits depending on if you need brakes etc.

[redbarron55]

It all depends on what you are looking for. Years ago I had a choice. I could buy a basket case and inject money as I had it and the aircraft could wait if necessary. I ended up with the aircraft I wanted at the cost RATE I could afford.
I could have bought an airplane for less, but as has been noted I wouldn't be sure what was under the fabric and the possible cost of repairing what would come to light later.
A side effect of rebuilding my own airplane was the experience that led to the A&P ticket (folloewd by the IA).
I ended up with around $15k in the airplane back in 1975 when that was more money.
One experience before I bought my plane was the prettiest tripacer you ever saw in for inspection where I was working at the time (trading labor for flying lessons). It had just been bought by a proud new pilot and WOW was it nice looking!
Unfortunately when we put the fabric tester on top of the fuselage for a punch test, when we pushed on it the whole thing fell through the fabric!
The pretty pain was the only thing holding the fabric together.
This was the first plane I was involved in recovering and it taught me more than one lesson!
The other lesson was that you can figure on doubling what you think t will cost to redo an airplane.
It is not so much the items you plan on going in, but rather the things you find once you are committed. Add that to thise things that "while we are at it we may as well.......".
Don't let me talk you out of a project, but do let me give you an idea as to what you are getting into. Not that that is a bad thing.
You could probably buy a project and keep flying your aircraft and come out about even when you sell the tripe when you are finished.
Unfortunately most cannot recover the cost invested in the project upon completion. The added cost has to be amortized against the experience, pride in accomplishment, and enjoyment of building just what you want.
There is a sizable group who have "experimentalized" their Pipers to do just that and get out of the restrictive standard category. Unfortunately the FAA has blown the whistle on that.
Fortunately the AC 23-27 Parts and Materials for Vintage Aircraft. I just completed an FAA recurrent training where the FAA inspector covered this AC in detail and it offers us lots of relief on our aircraft. If you haven't read the AC you should read it now.

Best regards,

JDB

[tyndall]

To take another view, the disadvantage to converting your airplane is the loss of one more classic Tri-Pacer. They ain't making them anymore. There are plenty of projects out there where the conversion was started and never finished or it was finished and groundlooped shortly after. I think we need to start a "Save the Tripes!" campaign.