Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide
Piper PA-15 Vagabond · Model Guide
Overview
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond is a two-seat, single-engine piston light aircraft built from 1948 to 1950. It is certificated in the Normal Category with a Lycoming O-145-B2 engine rated at 65 hp, a 1100 lb maximum weight and 12 gallons of fuel. Acrobatics, including spins, are prohibited.
- Two seats, 65 hp Lycoming O-145-B2, 1100 lb maximum weight, only 40 lbs of baggage allowed.
- Never-exceed speed is 110 knots; maneuvering speed is 76 knots. Acrobatics and spins are prohibited.
- Inspect the overhead transparency closely: one 1999 UK incident saw it detach in flight.
- Piper builds spare parts only for the type, so confirm part sourcing before you buy.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Seats ·
- 2
- Engine ·
- Lycoming O-145-B2
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 65
- Oil capacity (gal) ·
- 1
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 12
- Propeller diameter max (in) ·
- 70
- Propeller diameter min (in) ·
- 66
- Auxiliary fuel tank option (gal) ·
- 6
Performance
- Family max range (nm) ·
- 500
- Family max cruise speed (kt) ·
- 80
- Family max service ceiling (ft) ·
- 12,500
V-speeds
- MANEUVERING_SPEED_KTS ·
- 76
- NEVER_EXCEED_SPEED_KTS ·
- 110
- MAX_STRUCTURAL_CRUISING_SPEED_KTS ·
- 87
Weight & balance
- Max weight (lb) ·
- 1,100
- Max baggage (lb) ·
- 40
- Oil capacity (gal) ·
- 1
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 12
How many people and how much baggage can the Piper PA-15 Vagabond carry?
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond seats two. Maximum weight is 1100 lbs, and baggage is limited to 40 lbs. Dual controls are listed as optional equipment.
What engine does the Piper PA-15 Vagabond use?
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond uses a Lycoming O-145-B2 rated at 65 hp (2550 rpm). It burns 80 minimum octane aviation gasoline and carries 12 gallons of fuel in the fuselage tank.
What should I check on a Piper PA-15 Vagabond before buying?
On the Piper PA-15 Vagabond, check the overhead transparency and its fasteners, which failed in a 1999 incident. Also check engine oil filter or screen condition and the weight and balance report.
Is the Piper PA-15 Vagabond still supported by the factory?
Piper holds the Piper PA-15 Vagabond type certificate. Production is approved for spare parts only, and export eligibility was deleted in 1995.
What is the Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide?
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide is a model guide for the Piper PA-15 Vagabond, dated 2026.
What year was the Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide published?
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide — the Piper PA-15 Vagabond model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. More common than 83% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-15 Vagabond.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Free — save the PA-15 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
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In this document
Limits and loading
Maximum weight is 1100 lbs, with 40 lbs of baggage. The fuselage tank holds 12 gallons and oil capacity is 1 gallon. Fuel is 80 minimum octane. The CG range is (+12.5) to (+19.0), datum at the wing leading edge. A 6-gallon auxiliary tank kit is listed as an approved option.
Overhead transparency failure
In 1999 the roof transparency of a 1948 PA-15 detached at 1500 feet and 85 mph, forcing a landing. The owners blamed UV aging, acrylic stress fractures, screws with no clearance, overtightening and cap strips hiding cracks. They fitted Lexan and drilled oversize holes.
Engine care and paperwork
Lycoming SB 480C recommends oil changes at 50 hours with full-flow filtration or 25 hours with a pressure screen. It sets a four-month maximum between changes for filter systems. Check the filter or screen for metal. A current weight and balance report must be aboard.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- Acrobatics, including spins, are prohibited. A 'No Smoking' placard is required on the instrument panel.
- Remove the transparency cap strips periodically to inspect the fasteners and the transparency edges for cracks.
- Skiplane landing distance is about 20% longer than the landplane's. Lower temperatures or other snow conditions increase ski friction.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
Piper PA-15 Vagabond Model Guide The Piper PA-15 Vagabond is a two-seat, single-engine piston light aircraft built from 1948 to 1950. It is certificated in the Normal Category with a Lycoming O-145-B2 engine rated at 65 hp, a 1100 lb maximum weight and 12 gallons of fuel. Acrobatics, including spins, are prohibited. • Two seats, 65 hp Lycoming O-145-B2, 1100 lb maximum weight, only 40 lbs of baggage allowed. • Never-exceed speed is 110 knots; maneuvering speed is 76 knots. Acrobatics and spins are prohibited. • Inspect the overhead transparency closely: one 1999 UK incident saw it detach in flight. • Piper builds spare parts only for the type, so confirm part sourcing before you buy. Limits and loading Maximum weight is 1100 lbs, with 40 lbs of baggage. The fuselage tank holds 12 gallons and oil capacity is 1 gallon. Fuel is 80 minimum octane. The CG range is (+12.5) to (+19.0), datum at the wing leading edge. A 6-gallon auxiliary tank kit is listed as an approved option. Overhead transparency failure In 1999 the roof transparency of a 1948 PA-15 detached at 1500 feet and 85 mph, forcing a landing. The owners blamed UV aging, acrylic stress fractures, screws with no clearance, overtightening and cap strips hiding cracks. They fitted Lexan and drilled oversize holes. Engine care and paperwork Lycoming SB 480C recommends oil changes at 50 hours with full-flow filtration or 25 hours with a pressure screen. It sets a four-month maximum between changes for filter systems. Check the filter or screen for metal. A current weight and balance report must be aboard. Safety notes: • Acrobatics, including spins, are prohibited. A 'No Smoking' placard is required on the instrument panel. • Remove the transparency cap strips periodically to inspect the fasteners and the transparency edges for cracks. • Skiplane landing distance is about 20% longer than the landplane's. Lower temperatures or other snow conditions increase ski friction.