Can a tripacer be flown like a tandem seat plane??

[Topogen]

I have this idea that I want to run by everybody: My wife and I are not petite and with both in front seat of the Tripacer, we are 'check to jowl'. What if I put her in the back set (back right) with me in front left (pilot)...? Do you think she will be happier? I mean... she has a door, I have a door and we both have more room! W&B checks out (pls dont ask my wife's weight... she might see this post). I'm a solid deuce btw. Anybody ever try converting a Tripacer into a tandem seating arrangement for more room? Just wondering so I'm not a test pilot.

[CamTom12]

We fly with my wife and son in the backseat and me up front. Works just fine!

[Pacer42Z]

I used to take a friend of mine flying when he couldn't fly anymore and had trouble to get in and out of most GA airplanes (he has past away now). He loved the back door on the Pacer because it was so easy for him to enter and exit the Pacer. The Pacer was within CG and flew fine.

As long as your wife is OK with the legroom in the back seat, why not?

Juergen
Pacer N3342Z

[JPerkins]

Me and a young feller (70-80lbs, me bout 185) in the front and a person in the back seat (265 lbs) plane did great. Really if the weight and balance checks out you'll be fine. You'll also notice with the CG farther aft that its more stable and lands nicer; in my experience anyway.

[Troy Hamon]

I have flown that way with a large gentleman as a passenger. It works fine. The one thing to be aware of is that the CG is more aft than you are used to...which might surprise you during takeoff.

[pmanton]

I found that my plane was faster with the passenger in the back seat.

[dgapilot]

I found that my plane was faster with the passenger in the back seat.

Almost all airplanes will be faster when loaded to the aft cg.


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[Glen Geller]

I agree with all the above, if you are within the W/B limits you will be fine.
One warning, if you load a heavy person/s in back and have some stuff in the baggage area (but still in limits) and are a little light on fuel, it's quite easy to get the nose gear to suddenly, unexpectedly, fully extend! This might result in the trailing edge of flaps smacking you in the shoulders as you lean in to secure the passengers.
Don't ask how I know this.

Happy flying!

GG in Oregon

[smcnutt]

My wife typically likes the back seat. Partially because of the added shoulder space but also because in the front seat she has less to grab onto. In the back seat she can grab the seatback if things get bumpy but in the front there's only the control yoke which is not a good option. She like the front more now that we've added the shoulder harness but the back still gives both of us more room. In the winter the separate heat controls is nice as well. If my brother and I are flying we're both in the front and rubbing shoulders. I find it a little uncomfortable on longer trips and can be awkward. I also like being able to set the tablet on the seat next to me rather than trying to view/operate it on my lap.

I like the CG moving toward the back as well.

[Steve Pierce]

I know someone who built a Wag Aero 2+2 as a tandem 2 place.