Piper PA-20 Pacer Model Guide
Piper PA-20 Pacer · Model Guide
Overview
The Piper PA-20 Pacer is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft built from 1950 to 1954. The variants in the family data are the PA-20, PA-20-115 and PA-20-135. The fuselage is fabric-covered. Family-wide figures reach up to 109 kt cruise and 470 nm range. The documents focus on fuel system care, fabric attachment and airworthiness directives.
- Four seats, built 1950 to 1954. Variants: PA-20, PA-20-115 and PA-20-135. Piper bulletins cover serial numbers 20-1 through 20-1121.
- Fuel selector valve: Piper SB 354B calls for an ease-of-rotation check every 100 hours and a full inspection every 400 hours or annually.
- Fabric fuselage: Service Letter 362B kit removes the repeat windshield-area inspections of FAA AD 61-6-6.
- Check the logs against the NZ CAA AD schedule, including wing lift struts and forks, tail brace wires, mufflers and the rudder post.
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 ·
- 47 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Performance
- Family max range (nm) ·
- 470
- Family max cruise speed (kt) ·
- 109
- Family max service ceiling (ft) ·
- 16,500
How many people does the Piper PA-20 Pacer carry?
The Piper PA-20 Pacer is a four-seat aircraft. The registry data for the model family also shows a maximum of 4 passengers.
How fast and how far does it go?
The provided data does not give figures for a single Piper PA-20 Pacer variant. Family-level maxima are up to 109 kt cruise, 470 nm range and 16500 ft service ceiling. Treat these as upper limits, not guarantees.
What fuel system issue should a buyer check on a Piper PA-20 Pacer?
Check the fuel selector valve for easy rotation and for lubrication records under SB 354B. Also note the AAIB case where a left-tank collector uncovered during a long sideslip, followed by an engine stop.
Are modified examples of the Piper PA-20 Pacer common?
Some are heavily modified. One Sport Aviation article describes a Piper PA-20 Pacer with Super Cub-type wings and a full-length leading edge slot. Ask for STC paperwork and logbook approvals for any modification.
What is the Piper PA-20 Pacer Model Guide?
The Piper PA-20 Pacer Model Guide is a model guide for the Piper PA-20 Pacer, dated 2026.
What year was the Piper PA-20 Pacer Model Guide published?
The Piper PA-20 Pacer Model Guide — the Piper PA-20 Pacer model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. More common than 91% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-20 Pacer.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Free — save the PA-20 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More Piper PA-20 Pacermanuals & documents
- Airworthiness Directive Schedule Aeroplanes Piper PA-20 Series (Pacer)Airworthiness Directives
- Loss of control during low level turn. Investigation Final ReportOther Documents
- Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin and Service Letter IndexService Bulletins
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVEAirworthiness Directives
- The Ericksons’ highly modified PacerOther Documents
- Piper PA-20 Pacer (Modified), G-BFMROther Documents
- Piper Service Bulletin No. 1041Service Bulletins
- VSP-119Service Bulletins
- Service Bulletin No. 354BService Bulletins
- SERVICE LETTER No. 362BAirworthiness Directives
- Wiring Diagram for the Piper PA-20 PacerWiring Diagrams
- Wiring Diagram for the Piper PA-20 PacerWiring Diagrams
Related documents
- Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer Model GuidePiper PA-22 Tri-Pacer · Model Guide
- Piper PA-20 Pacer (Modified), G-BFMRPiper PA-20 Pacer · Other Documents
- Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser Model GuidePiper PA-14 Family Cruiser · Model Guide
- Airworthiness Directive Schedule Aeroplanes Piper PA-20 Series (Pacer)Piper PA-20 Pacer · Airworthiness Directives
- Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model GuidePiper PA-12 Super Cruiser · Model Guide
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In this document
Fuel system checks
Piper SB 354B applies to Pacers 20-1 to 20-1121 with the metal plug fuel selector valve. The tapered plug can bind from lost lubricant, debris or hardened grease. The inspection covers wear, scoring, and cracks in the valve ports. Replacement kit 764 295 is listed. Check logbook entries for it.
Airworthiness directives to verify
The NZ CAA schedule for the PA-20 lists FAA-origin ADs covering the oil radiator hose, battery box, fuel and hydraulic lines, fire prevention rework, tail brace wires, fuel selector valve, exhaust mufflers, fuel line failure, fabric reinforcement, fuel venting, inlet air filters, fuel tank, and wing lift struts and forks. A rudder post inspection (2025-02-11) is newly added. Confirm current status with the FAA.
Engine, filters and fabric
Piper VSP-119 distributes Lycoming SB 480C on oil and filter change, screen cleaning and filter/screen content inspection. It lists the PA-20 Pacer as affected. Service Bulletin 1041 covers inspection and cleaning of Airborne air filter elements to protect the gyro vacuum system. Service Letter 362B reinforces the fabric attachment under the windshield top.
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
- NZ CAA report on a PA-20-135: the aircraft stalled in a low-level turn in a valley with too little space. The passenger died.
- AAIB report on G-BFMR: the engine stopped at about 50 feet after a prolonged left sideslip. The pilot suspected the left tank collector had uncovered.
- The pilot in the G-BFMR report noted the PA-20 has no header tank between the fuel tanks and the engine. Manage tank selection carefully.
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-20 Pacer Model Guide The Piper PA-20 Pacer is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft built from 1950 to 1954. The variants in the family data are the PA-20, PA-20-115 and PA-20-135. The fuselage is fabric-covered. Family-wide figures reach up to 109 kt cruise and 470 nm range. The documents focus on fuel system care, fabric attachment and airworthiness directives. • Four seats, built 1950 to 1954. Variants: PA-20, PA-20-115 and PA-20-135. Piper bulletins cover serial numbers 20-1 through 20-1121. • Fuel selector valve: Piper SB 354B calls for an ease-of-rotation check every 100 hours and a full inspection every 400 hours or annually. • Fabric fuselage: Service Letter 362B kit removes the repeat windshield-area inspections of FAA AD 61-6-6. • Check the logs against the NZ CAA AD schedule, including wing lift struts and forks, tail brace wires, mufflers and the rudder post. Fuel system checks Piper SB 354B applies to Pacers 20-1 to 20-1121 with the metal plug fuel selector valve. The tapered plug can bind from lost lubricant, debris or hardened grease. The inspection covers wear, scoring, and cracks in the valve ports. Replacement kit 764 295 is listed. Check logbook entries for it. Airworthiness directives to verify The NZ CAA schedule for the PA-20 lists FAA-origin ADs covering the oil radiator hose, battery box, fuel and hydraulic lines, fire prevention rework, tail brace wires, fuel selector valve, exhaust mufflers, fuel line failure, fabric reinforcement, fuel venting, inlet air filters, fuel tank, and wing lift struts and forks. A rudder post inspection (2025-02-11) is newly added. Confirm current status with the FAA. Engine, filters and fabric Piper VSP-119 distributes Lycoming SB 480C on oil and filter change, screen cleaning and filter/screen content inspection. It lists the PA-20 Pacer as affected. Service Bulletin 1041 covers inspection and cleaning of Airborne air filter elements to protect the gyro vacuum system. Service Letter 362B reinforces the fabric attachment under the windshield top. Safety notes: • NZ CAA report on a PA-20-135: the aircraft stalled in a low-level turn in a valley with too little space. The passenger died. • AAIB report on G-BFMR: the engine stopped at about 50 feet after a prolonged left sideslip. The pilot suspected the left tank collector had uncovered. • The pilot in the G-BFMR report noted the PA-20 has no header tank between the fuel tanks and the engine. Manage tank selection carefully.